B2-16 - Networks (Patreon)

16 - Networks

25.5 MXP absorbed

Level up! (Level 20)

You have reached Level 20! You have 2 Pending Occupational Bonuses to Apply. 

“Occupational bonus?” Maya asked. 

“Ah, you have finally received one. It was a worry that Bell and I had that you had not mentioned it before,” Tender said. 

“I remember Shen saying something about my level 10 bonus being unused,” Maya said. 

“The reason SIL enter an occupational path is that every time they reach 10 levels there is a bonus applied to the occupation they have chosen as their main focus. This also has to correspond to the levels they’ve gained in that occupational ability, also.” 

“So I can only use them if I’m level 10 in an ability?”

“Yes, in any ability you choose.” 

“Can I see what it does to my [Trader] ability?” 

“I would suggest you do more research on it, before plunging forward.” 

Maya growled. “Fine.” 

812.6 MXP absorbed

Level up! (Level 25)

Mid-Grade Achieved

Congratulations upon the leveling to mid-grade (levels 25-75).  

+ 5 Foundation

+ 5 Fortitude

+ 5 Luck

Down the Hatch I

You have consumed 10 Levels of Experience Shards. 

+ 1 Foundation

“Oh, god. I think I’m gonna be sick,” Maya gasped, as the world spun around her. 

“It is a big deal to reach mid grade,” Bell said approvingly. “Your Tier 2 status is a cheat, it seems. Normally one would be knocked out for a few hours due to how much experience shards you have consumed.” 

“Yay, me,” Maya said weakly. She gagged and shuddered. 

“You’ll be fine,” Nan said. 

“Will be, sure, but right not I feel like I’m gonna pop,” she replied. 

“Take a break.” 

“No, I got this. Just need to take it slow for a bit,” Maya said. 

“Five levels at a time,” Nan said. 

“Okay, okay.” 

Maya picked up the shard. At least she was able to control the amount she absorbed from the shards, not having to take an entire shard at once. 

“Where we go…” 

Level up! (Level 30)

You have reached Level 30! You have 3 Pending Occupational Bonuses to Apply. 

Level up! (Level 35)

Down the Hatch II

You have consumed 20 levels of Experience Shards. 

+ 2 Foundation

“Y’know what? This is getting easier,” Maya said. 

“Cheater.” 

“Right!” Maya laughed.

Level up! (Level 40)

You have reached Level 40! You have 4 Pending Occupational Bonuses to Apply. 

Level up! (Level 45)

Down the Hatch III

You have consumed 30 levels of Experience Shards. 

+ 3 Foundation

Level up! (Level 51)

You have reached Level 50! You have 5 Pending Occupational Bonuses to Apply. 

“Y’know… what… I… think…I…” Maya slurred. 

“She okay?” Bell asked. 

“She will be,” Nan replied.

“I… can…hear…” Maya blinked and then went unconscious. 

***

“How long was I out?” Maya asked when she opened her eyes. 

“Only half an hour,” Tender stated. He stood beside her as she lay on the floor of the dimensional cage. 

“Maybe I should not have done that,” Maya grinned. 

“You did waste about a million gens while you were out.” 

“I think it was best to use the shards while within the dimensional bridge,” Nan said. “Upon further thought, the low levels and lower experience point drops from defeated foes may also be attributed to the non-existent of essence mana and low ambient mana in the dimensional plane. That would mean, there would be less mana for you and the others to draw upon, even with the shards.” 

“Hot damn, even my screws ups are not really screw ups.” Maya grinned. 

“Although, I would recommend caution before consuming such a large quantity of experience shards,” Nan added. “If you were only Tier 1, you would have been injured by it.” 

“Are the others okay?” Maya sat up and finally looked to see Bell and Yosi on the floor beside her. They looked peacefully asleep.

“They are fine. After you… passed out, they decided they might as well join you. Yosi seemed very thrilled by the idea of gaining more levels and becoming mid-grade.” 

“Cool.” Maya said as she looked at her status page. The number of attribute points made her weak at the knees. She also noticed another blinking notification. She swiped at it. 

Anisa Karam has created Settlement Outpost: Bierut

Sullivan Survival Society owned Settlement Bierut has chosen the Focus: Defense

Knowledge Cubes: 

The Art of Defense I & II

Attacking is Defending I-III 

Kill Everything I-V

Training Your Army I-V

Death is Leveling I-V

A Commander’s Guide I 

Defense Module: 

4 Hellamano low grade Tier 1 Defense Turrets

6 Severniera low grade, Tier 1 Defense Bunkers

1 Medic Aid Station low grade Tier 1

Standard Weaponry: 

10 sets Volkani Combat Padded Armor low grade, Tier 1

10 Jolvaska combat war axes, low grade, Tier 1

have been awarded to Chosen Representative of Bierut.

Maya winced as a pain filled her head for a moment. After it passed she realized she knew exactly where the outpost of Bierut was. “Wow, it’s like someone shoved the GPS coordinates straight into my noggin’.” 

“As the owner of the settlement outpost, you will always know where it is.” Tender said, after she showed him the message.

Maya thought on that for a moment and she could visualize the small outpost in her mind. Along with the knowledge of where the settlement was located, there was a snapshot of the place in her mind. 

Anisa had turned a large building into a fortified area. Maya couldn’t see it entirely, but she could feel they were constantly battling back monsters coming from Mana Renders and from the sea. 

“We need to get back to Bierut soon,” Maya sighed. “Let’s see what Maria has been up to.” 

Maria Valdez has created Settlement Outpost: Ko Samui Port.

Sullivan Survival Society owned Settlement Ko Samui Port has chosen the Focus: Manufacturing

Knowledge Cubes: 

Ore Processing and You I-III

Tools of the Trade I-IV

Industry From the Rock Up I-I 

Make Things, Make Credits I-V 

Forged by Abilities I-V

Logistics and Management I & II  

Manufacturing Module:  

2 Hentalini Medium Forge, low gradem Tier 1;

1 Xiin Material Sorter mid grade, Tier 1

1 Sesshenn Assembly Table low grade, Tier 1

Standard Toolset:  

10 Omarin Tool Tokens (low grade, Tier 1 only)

5 Margono Delux Cold Mana Cutter/Fuser - mid grade, Tier 1

10 Margono Tool Mana Batteries - low grade, Tier 1

have been awarded to Chosen Representative of Ko Samui Port.

“So, if the System awards stuff to people, why do they have brand names,” Maya asked. “I had been meaning to ask that, but y’know, survival trumps all.” 

“The System purchases these items from companies and then generates them when they are awarded,” Tender said. 

“So… the System buys stuff and then gives it away for free? Even if it can make things itself? Won’t that cause, like, inflation?” Maya asked. “If every Settlement outpost gets all this stuff, aren’t there billions and billions of them? Why isn’t the System building its own stuff? It does control essence mana, right? Oh, wait. Let me guess. SIL Addition.”

“Yes. The System could build these things, but due to SIL interference, it has to ‘buy’ what it can from SIL corporations if such things are available.” 

“It is arbitrary and random, as to which corporation is chosen to obtain goods from.” Nanaseto added. “No corporation has the corner on goods and services that the System solely uses, after all it is a big multiverse out there.” 

“Well, that’s not as terrible.” Maya looked over what Maria had done and sighed wistfully. “I want all of the stuff that she got,” she said. 

“You can just take them,” Tender said. “You own the settlement, it is a property of the Sullivan Survival Society, thereby whatever it produces, sells, or creates is by System Law your corporation’s assets.” 

“Nope,” Maya muttered. “That’s too much power for this girl. That’s not happening. I’m not stealing from already struggling people.” 

Maya could sense the settlement outpost, like Bierut, she could feel where the outpost was set up. Somewhere on the northeastern side of the island, an image of a large Buddha statue with many arms flashed through her head. Maria was working hard, seemingly building defenses and ordering people around, and they were making weapons and tools to fight against the seagulls and land sharks.

Maya shook her head, clearing it of the images. It was weird, being able to see something she was nowhere near, but then again she was in the dimensional cage and it could literally go anywhere. Perhaps she was not nowhere, but everywhere…

“I thought you might say that,’ Tender said. 

“Huh?” Maya blinked. 

“I thought you would refuse to take the awarded goods from your settlement outpost.” 

“Is that approval in your tone, my red eyed friend?” 

“Yes.” 

There was a groan as Bell began to wake up. Yosi wasn’t too far behind, the small woman jumped to her feet, looking embarrassed. 

“I leveled up,” she said. 

“Really?” Maya said, feigning shock. “I thought everyone was just taking a nap.” 

“Your voice is too loud,” Bell mumbled, nursing his head. 

“Man, I like jumped up so many levels and I’m not even hurting,” Maya said smiling. 

“Tier 2,” Bell growled. “Just wait until you apply your Attribute Points.” 

Maya frowned. “Right… shit. That’s gonna hurt.” 

“I would not do that right now, boss,” Tender said. “We only have so much time in the dimensional cage.” 

“Ah, don’t worry, pal. My misadventures quota has been reached today. We’ll just head to Haltor’s World, toss Pegarios a message, see about this internet you guys got, check my Tindr and maybe update my social media.”

“This is why I brought extra guns,” Bell said. 

“Really now?” Maya said. “I don’t know if I like this System Tech loving Bell nowadays.” 

“I don’t have any of my other weapons,” Bell said. “Shen called my weapons trash and destroyed them, in front of me.” He shook his head. “I am glad he is dead.” 

“Samesies, bud.” Maya looked to Yosi. “You okay there?” 

Yosi swelled up her chest and gave a many toothed smile “I am. I have leveled greatly. My service to House Sullivan shall be unwavering.” 

“Aww, I got me a fanatic. Is this how it feels to be a cult leader, Tender?” 

“I would not know, boss.” 

“But you’ve got nearly a dozen little followers now.” 

“They do not report any awe or adoration toward me, unfortunately.” 

Maya chuckled. “Alright, enough dicking around. We got places to see and people to do. Strap in, it’s off to Haltor’s World, filled with strange beasts, money hungry hunters, and dodgy money launderers.” 

***

Interdimensional travel was a strange thing. It was one part knowing where a place was located, one part wanting to be there, and one part seeing that place in one’s mind. Although, it didn’t seem to entirely work, as the two times Maya had returned to Earth, she arrived in places she barely knew anything about, much less visited or even thought about.

But it was Earth and it was close enough, but now she had to land the dimensional cage on the proverbial dime. She had studied for the occasion; spending hours inside the VR gear to map out the town, then looking at impressive star charts to see the planet from space, its location in the galaxy far, far, far away and not even in her own universe. 

It was a strange thing to be traveling between different universes. As it was, she was already doing something more ‘advanced’ as no one in current memory had ever returned from a dimensional instability. Arriving from outside of the known Integrated Multiverse was the hard part, hopping around to all the other places was easy, it just required mana power. 

Which brought Maya back to the energy problem she was facing. It had taken all three cores nearly eight days to fill up the two 20Mg mana batteries. There were still four more that needed recharging, on top of that, all the other mana batteries they had found, salvaged, and cobbled together. 

If she were right in her assumptions, Earth space would be filled to the brim with ambient mana, able to charge the cores faster than they would in the dimensional plane. 

Maya summoned a chair and sat down. She thought on the town she had seen while in VR. She thought about the planet she had studied, she thought about Plaxar’s, about Tommoth, and about his sterner, more competent older brother. She held all those thoughts in her head and then willed the dimensional cage to move. 

There was an odd feeling that accompanied movement, like the falling sensation one felt before falling asleep. Maya jerked slightly, opening her eyes. 

“Are we there yet?” she asked, blinking. A wave of exhaustion ran through her, but as she sat for a moment longer, it passed. 

The wall before them shifted and warped, turning from a blank metal bulkhead to a smooth three meter wide screen. Cameras didn’t have to be installed on the outside of the dimensional cage, a part of Shen’s cage design was to have the Tier 2 components allow for recording, scanning, and creating a three dimensional image of the surrounding one hundred meters. It was a good basic set up, but already Maya knew she could increase those ranges and bump up the clarity of the images and scans that were produced with some system tech she had found on the Hangy and in the BR’s cargo hold. 

Massive bluewood trees dominated the landscape and as she ‘panned’ around the camera view she saw a massive jagged hole in the ground. 

“Oh, damn. Looks like we made it,” Maya said. She recognized some of the trees in the image, a few had been tagged and there had been some advertisements attached to them. She orientated herself by what remains of the building she could find and grinned. “This is the place, Tender. Damn, we’re good.” 

“It appears the dimensional instability has wrought complete destruction.” 

“There goes the neighborhood.” Maya said. “I wonder how many got out?” 

“There is usually a one minute warning before it strikes,” Bell said, “but that’s hardly anytime to get out of the way. Unless you act immediately and are on the edge of the instability.” 

“Do these things happen all that often?” Maya asked. 

“No. They’re rare, but they do occur anywhere, in low Tier worlds or the highest Tiered planets. Since we’ve survived the instability and now live in it, I suppose we would be considered the leading experts on the phenomenon.” 

Maya willed a door to form and Tender pushed a large box on wheels, a transmitter, receiver, computer, router, and everything one would need to communicate with the satellites in orbit around Haltor’s World. 

Communication was an instantaneous thing, even if traveling wasn’t. System tech had long ago cracked the problem of communicating vast distances. With the right Tiered equipment one could talk between universes and across the span of an entire universe. It all sounded awesome, but was impractical in the extreme, therefore communications were mainly restricted to solar systems and clusters of stars that were within a month’s journey. 

“You sure about this?” Maya asked, looking at Tender. 

“We need to know if non-SIL can pass through,” he said. 

Maya was a little leery about the idea that Tender had presented her before they had left. He wanted to exit the dimensional cage and see if he would not ‘die’ from it. Technically, it was possible, but no one was willing to try it. 

“Yeah, but can’t we just toss out something useless, like a rogue AI we captured? No offense, Tender.” 

“I agree, but we don’t have any rogue AIs at the moment,” he replied. 

Maya groaned and rubbed her face, then looked at Bell. 

“He’s his own being,” Bell replied. 

“I trust you, Tender. I have reservations about this, but if you’re willing and you feel confident, then you have my blessings.”

“Thank you, boss.” The door opened and Tender pushed out the wheeled cart. 

Maya felt her breath seize up in that moment, her eyes locked on Tender’s form and then the screen. He kept moving, he didn’t fall over dead. It seemed he was right. She let out an explosive breath. 

“Jesus,” she muttered. 

“It appears to have worked,” Nan said. 

“You gonna run off on me too?” Maya grinned. 

“I need a better power system, this pub core I must be hooked up to is overly complicated.” The medical AI stopped and looked at Maya. “I am not implying that I wish for one of the crafted mana batteries that you have found. Currently, this is fine. I can still function and move around as needed.” 

“Don’t worry about it, Nan. We’ll find an upgrade for you soon. If things work out, we’ll have the multiverse to buy from.” 

Maya looked to the screen to see Tender still walking. He was supposed to move ten meters from the wall and then return. All told it should take only a minute or two, but that was MVT, which would be nearly twenty four minutes for them.” 

She brought up a window with a message and turned to Bell and Yosi. “You’re both System savvy, tell me what these are.” 

“Maya asking actual questions without assuming she knows the answers for months on end, until she realizes she made a mistake?” Bell asked, in shocked voice. 

“Seriously, I preferred grumpy Bell.” 

Access to Local Area System Trade Network, Tier 2 access

Access to System Assisted Logistics Network, Tier 2 access

Sullivan Survival Society and subsidiary Maya’s Emporium have been granted Trade Satus II. 

System Backed Corporation Level 2

Bell and Yosi looked at the message and pondered for a moment. 

“Local Area System Trade Networks are solar system wide trade networks that are connected to the System,” Yosi said. “If you have something to sell, bulk items, a high value item, or even just trash, you submit your item upon a local trade network that is System run. This allows for people to sell anything.” 

“Oh, so it’s just people selling stuff and other people buying it? Just like any retail website, Amazon or whatever?” 

“Not just random people. I for one cannot access this trade network, because my levels in sales are too low. Neither can Yosi. Also, access to these Networks are only allowed to Merchant House Heads and CEOs of corporations, Head managers, Logistics Managers, and the like.” Bell replied. 

“Oh, so it’s not a free market for everyone to buy stuff off of?” 

“Everything requires levels and Abilities, a corporation needs a high leveled person running them to make use of all their skills and abilities, the same for a House. This network allows you access to things that would normally not be for sale or raw resources you might need.” 

“Tier 2 access allows you more control over what you see and can buy,” Yosi added. 

“You’re prevented from buying things due to your Tier?” Maya asked. 

“Though the System, yes. But you can still buy ‘forbidden’ items in person or via other networks. But by far, the most things you would want to buy are on the Trade Network.”

“System Assisted Logistics Network; is that what I think it is? The System moves stuff for you?” Maya asked. 

“For a price,” Yosi replied. 

“It is similar to System Generated Drops and teleportation,” Bell said. “You put stuff onto the Trade Network and if someone buys it, you pay a transportation cost, and it is delivered to them by the System.” 

“So, it’s the System Store?” Maya grinned. 

“No, there is no profit being made by the System and it is highly restrictive, but sure.” 

“There are also records and taxes that must be paid,” Yosi said. “The System delivers the sales and economic reports to the local governing body that runs the system. It has information on who sold what, who purchased what, along with any relevant data required to identify those individuals. The local government can change the taxation amount based on the value of the items being sold, that is automatically taken out by the System and given over to the local governing body.” 

“Can’t dodge the tax man, can you?” 

“No,” Bell said, a sour look on his face.

“IRS audit you, buddy?” Maya looked at the information and pondered. “So, I could sell some of these enchantments and with my access, I could sell it on the Trade Network.” 

“Yes, but there are caveats,” Bell said. “You need a physical location on the planet where the item can be picked up, in addition you require the purchase a teleportation token for every item you sell on the Trade Network. That will allow the System Logistics to store the item for you, until it is sold.” 

“How much we talking about for a Teleportation Token?” 

“About five percent of the value.” 

“Oof.” 

“What about taxes?” 

“Twenty percent.”

“Jesus. What about teleportation fees?

“Another five percent.” 

“I’m losing thirty percent of the value in taxes and fees, that’s a load of donkey crud.” 

“That all depends on your Trade Status, though. The higher your Trade Status, the less the System will charge you. Therefore for smaller companies, it is used mainly for bulk items,” Bell said. “You need a million metric tons of marsani, this is where to buy it from.” 

“Yeah, I get it. Why does the System needs its cut?” 

“People say there needs to be a price to be paid for everything,” Yosi said. “You pay it with experience points or with credits.” 

“Alright, moving on. Trade Status II and System Backed Corporation.” 

“Trade Status II reduces your System Tax by two percent. Instead of paying five percent, you now only pay three,” Bell said. “It’s also a measure of how well your company is doing, how much monetary credit can be extended to it, and how much volume of trade it can commit to. This is only leveled through using the Trade Network, not by any other means. The fact that you gained status II is a reason why Foundational Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge are so highly valued. They skip a lot of the lower tier stuff and move up higher without the work.” 

“Thanks, bud.” Maya rolled her eyes. “System Backed Corporation?” 

“Another Foundational bonus,” Yosi said. “This allows your corporation to be insured by the System. If something happens, you lose a large chunk of assets, then the System will back that up for you. Either giving you monetary value or a replacement of the items.” 

“This also allows for other corporations to trust you with high value items,” Bell said. “If the System is backing you, then they can trust you.” 

“So at Level 2, what does that mean?” 

“Roughly a billion credits in insurance,” Bell stated. 

“Damn. Can we engage in some insurance fraud?” Maya whispered to Bell. 

No.

“Holy shit!” Maya cried out. The others looked at her in confusion. “The System just told me not to engage in insurance fraud.” 

Yosi stared at her with wide eyes. “The System talked to you?” 

“Every now and then, it seems.” 

Bell muttered something and Yosi stared at her with big eyes. 

“We have communications established,” Nan stated. Maya looked up to see Tender slowly marching back toward them. It seemed odd to see him outside, in the dim moonlight of the nighttime of Haltor’s World. He did look menacing in his large form and a half a dozen red eyes. She could imagine why people were terrified of rogue AIs. 

“Alright, preparing message.” Maya cracked her knuckles, adjusted her seat, and then summoned forth her tablet. She set up the keyboard, recreating a QWERTY keyboard from memory and trial and error. 

Hello Pegarios, 

We have never met, but I come bearing sad news. You brother, Tommoth, is dead. He was killed via a dimensional instability. 

I came across the remains of the Pub in a distant land and found his and his patrons bodies. It is through the data that I found there that I am contacting you now. 

Although, you do not know me. I know what you and your brother were up to and I wish to speak more on this, if you are willing. I can return the remains of your brother as an act of good faith.

Don’t take the words I’m writing here as a threat. I have no interest in your previous activities, all I need is someone of your skills and knowledge to help me help some other people. 

Therefore, if you are interested in what I have to say, please contact me. A lack of contact shall be viewed as disinterest on your part and I shall instead send you the coordinates to retrieve your brother’s remains.

Sincerely, 

Maya

How did one make a non threatening letter that said they had their brother’s remains and that all their dirty little secrets were known? Maya didn’t know so she wrote from the top of her head. What would she want to hear if someone came to her with this kind of news. 

She accessed the Sword of the Universe’s Union’s version of the internet and sent off the message. Everything had been copied over from the computers in Tommoth’s old pub and the guy hadn’t been one for securing sensitive data either. So gaining all the inconspicuous ways of communicating with his brother were all out in the open. 

With the time difference, Tender barely entered the cage by the time Maya was done writing and sending off the message. She sat back and sighed, smiling at Tender. 

“How’s the real world?” Maya asked. 

“Humid,” Tender replied. 

“I hate humidity,” Maya said. 

“Rusted tracking bearings were the reason my original form was stuck behind the bar,” Tender said. He looked over his shoulder at the large screen. “I do not miss this place.” 

“Well, what do you think the response time will be on that message?’ Maya asked. “Maybe we should just bail and see about heading to Earth space and testing the ambient mana out there.” 

“I would suggest waiting half an hour for a response,” Tender said. “You contacted his private mail server and that goes straight to his personal comm device.” 

“We got time to kill,” Maya yawned. “Alright, tell me more about this System Logistics. How does it work? Teleportation. Does it send stuff directly to me or can it send them to a certain spot?” 

“You got the blueprints, shipping container and pallet,” Bell said. “You create one of those, designate it as a receiving pallet or container, and then make your orders. They will automatically be generated on those items.”

“That’s it? Really?” 

“For shipping and selling, you need to have a physical storefront in the local area you are selling in. This will be necessary if someone wishes to pick up an item instead of receiving it via System Logistics.” Yosi stated. “You will have to include the information that it is being sold via SL and not storefront, but if you do sell it via storefront, you will be returned the credits spent on the teleportation token and delivery fee.” 

“I’ve got a million credits to burn,” Maya grinned. “Let’s make a shipping pallet or if possible, a shipping container.”