“What do you mean, ‘Nierburg was almost overrun with giant ants?’ That’s exactly the kind of thing I would want to know about.”
Despite the heat in Kyle’s voice, Chester’s demeanor was unperturbed.
“You had a variety of other assignments, and Mr. Boltsbury told me that things were well in hand.”
“I don’t care if he thought it was ‘well in hand’ or not, I would have wanted to go.”
“You realize that I would have had no choice but to charge for the resources associated with deploying you, and take it out of your planet’s merit? It would have been a worse outcome for them, with little added benefit.”
“It wasn’t your call, Chester.”
“Nor was it yours, Mr. Mayhew. Mr. Boltsbury was placed in leadership, and it was his decision to make. It ended better than expected, with limited casualties. Furthermore, the battle provided the impetus for several meaningful breakthroughs among the awakened of the city. All in all, it was a victory.”
Kyle saw the logic in the other man’s stance, though it didn’t stop him from scowling anyway. He had no illusion that there were politics in play here, and he was ready to be done with it. This had been an unexpected piece of news after his return from the bamboo forest, and not the reason he’d come by.
“I’m assuming you received my request. How much of my personal compensation am I allowed to access?”
“The resources aboard the ship are limited, Mr. Mayhew, and frankly the company would prefer that you spend the bulk after returning to Collective space. It’s bad optics if we offer contracts like this, only to have our contractors return every credit they’ve earned.”
“So what’s the number?”
“Eight percent. I’m authorized to go up to ten, and that’s it. I also have the stipulation that anything you wish to purchase is documented thoroughly by another expedition member to ensure that you aren’t taken advantage of. The Collective can get… particular about pricing when there’s a cornered market.”
Kyle’s eyebrows rose at that statement. He’d expected Corthian Mining would be tight-fisted in unlocking his compensation, but he had no illusions that they’d be happy to take any credits that he’d offer. Knowing that there were checks and balances in place at an administrative level was a relief. After everything he’d been through with the company, however, he still held suspicions.
“That’s surprisingly generous, which frankly has me concerned. I’m not negotiating from a position of power, Chester. What’s with the concessions?”
The man steepled his hands as he rested his elbows on the desk in front of him.
“We don’t want to have an antagonistic relationship, Mr. Mayhew. We were not able to formalize a job offer, and at this point your window to contract directly with Mr. Corthus is closing. Despite that, your results make it clear to myself and other members of Corthian Mining leadership that you have a promising future. There’s no reason to sow bad karma here, only to have it reflect back on us when you’ve thrown in with a bigger fish.”
Kyle looked at Chester across the table, trying to read him. His words were direct, and didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives behind them. He decided to push further.
“Randolph said by Collective standards, I’m broken. If anything, that should be another point in your favor. It’s just not adding up.”
Chester didn’t skip a beat.
“You’re correct – your current position is a broken one. That means it is unlikely you’ll find a normal position with any of the major Collective factions. At the same time, you’ve shown impressive initiative, you’ve demonstrated synergy with two other exceptional individuals, and the progression of your personal power has been noteworthy. When we first met, I was confident in defeating you myself if the need arose. Now, I’d give you the odds. We can’t predict where you’ll end up, Mr. Mayhew, only that skills like yours will be in demand somewhere.”
Kyle nodded slowly. That… made a lot more sense. After everything that had happened, Kyle had no interest in staying with Corthian Mining after the evacuation. While the opportunities available were still a little fuzzy to him, he’d read a bit about some different avenues he could pursue. If they were convinced he’d land somewhere influential, it was good business sense not to make enemies with people who had the potential to be a fly in the ointment.
“Is Captain Rochelle available?”
“I don’t believe she’s slated for anything specific. I’ll confirm the details with her and let you know via nav bracelet. May I ask the nature of what you’re hoping to purchase?”
This was the dangerous part.
“C.H.A.D.D. took some damage in my last encounter, and I lost most of my gear. I’m looking to upgrade his pack and find some solutions on my end as well.”
Kyle could almost see the glimmer of greed in Chester’s eyes.
“Given the value your drone has provided, we would be more than happy to examine the extent of the damage. We’ve also recovered several defunct models from your planet, so the part replacement may be available as well. All without cost, of course.”
There it is. It was a tempting offer on many levels. Corthian Mining got to examine the drone, C.H.A.D.D. got replacement parts, everybody wins. Except for the fact that C.H.A.D.D. had absorbed a truly mind-boggling amount of wealth in the form of natural treasures. Its hardware couldn’t keep up, which was the issue. Parts from other C.H.A.D.D. units wouldn’t fix that. Of course, there was no way for Chester to know. Kyle figured that Chester was already suspicious that there was more to the drone than met the eye, and this would only further the foreman’s suspicions. Still, there was no way he would allow them to do a detailed analysis.
“I appreciate the generous offer. We already have plans in place, so it shouldn’t be necessary. I’m sure you can get better use out of the other units than scrap. I’ll have a requisition list sent to you later this evening.”
Chester’s mouth was a line. He gave a shallow nod, and Kyle left the office. He wanted to head straight to bed, but had one other stop to make first. Kyle found himself standing outside Randolph’s medical bay, and remembered the man’s words. You’re broken. Despite the unpleasant memory, he stepped inside. While he was confident he’d eliminated the worst of the toxins, he’d done a rushed job. Kyle wanted to get a second opinion before he let too much time pass.
“Don’t just stand there, come in, you clod!” Randolph’s voice was as gruff as ever, though his expression softened a bit upon seeing it was Kyle. “Been a while, boy. What do you need?”
Kyle didn’t see a point in mincing words. “I had to do some emergency treatment to remove D Grade venom from my body, and wanted to get a more thorough examination to make sure there’s no lingering effects.”
The stocky man grunted, and gestured for Kyle to take a seat. He complied, and soon he felt the mana of Randolph’s skill at work, a projection of Kyle’s body appearing in the air above him. Randolph studied it, looking at various parts of Kyle’s circulatory system before dismissing the projection.
“There’s nothing I see that won’t continue to heal naturally. I can see some trace damage where it looks like the venom was forced out – and I saw similar damage with some crew that visited a while back. Was that you?”
Kyle bristled at first, ready to defend himself. “If you’re talking about the people I saved from the poisonous cloud, then yes.”
Randolph gave an appraising look, before smiling. “That was damn fine work. I’m not sure how you managed to isolate and contain the toxins so effectively, but it’s a method that probably saved their lives. You’re welcome in my medical bay anytime, Mayhew.”
Kyle was surprised by the man’s reaction, and they spent the next while talking about different treatment methodology to deal with poisons. Randolph wanted to learn more about Kyle’s ability to condense and extract venom, while Kyle learned more of the Collective’s prescribed methods to handle venom.
Soon, however, it was time for Kyle to depart. He still had a large bundle of materials, and he wanted to talk with C.H.A.D.D. before they finished getting the requisition submitted to Chester. Once Kyle confirmed there was nothing out of place, he set the drone down on the bed and opened the bundle.
“Alright, C.H.A.D.D. Let’s take a look at what we’ve got.”
An eclectic mix of different materials were arrayed before them. Countless bamboo seeds spilled out, as well as several small pods from the bottom of some fern leaves he’d discovered. Several of the long barbs from the Shadow made their way into the pack, as well as a significant amount of the silk, which Kyle collected by binding it around a couple sliced pieces of bamboo. The barbs and silk were earmarked for C.H.A.D.D.’s internal improvements, while the bamboo and ferns would provide the foundation for several other equipment upgrades.
“From what we discussed, we’ll still need to get the materials to upgrade your pack. What else do you need?”
[BEFORE THAT, WHAT ABOUT REPLACING YOUR EQUIPMENT, DR. MAYHEW?]
Kyle had thought about it quite a bit on their journey back to the flagship. His encounter with the Shadow had reinforced that as melee fighters went, Kyle simply didn’t stack up in the D Grade. While sturdy armor still brought him advantages, an upgraded baton wasn’t going to provide a meaningful change.
“The pack is my most important piece of gear, C.H.A.D.D. If I can keep you safe, you’ll be able to help me more than any individual piece of armor or weapon.”
[I SUPPOSE I AM QUITE VALUABLE.]
“That’s the spirit. Now, what do we need?”
Roughly an hour later, they compiled their list and sent it to Chester. Kyle wasn’t optimistic that everything on it would be available, much less affordable. Still, he was optimistic that they could get some good stuff. They could make it work with lower-quality materials, but Kyle didn’t want to. C.H.A.D.D’s development was taking a very different form to his own, and was heavily tied to the components that the drone had at its disposal. Poor quality now ran the risk of bottlenecks later.
The inclusion of the world tree seed only complicated matters further. Kyle had gotten into the habit of staying continually connected to it through the drone, allowing it to slowly siphon mana as he in turn worked to build influence through PARASITIC RESONANCE. C.H.A.D.D. had a better grasp of the seed’s potential, though it was still largely an enigma to Kyle. He could feel its power even if it was locked away. When that changed, C.H.A.D.D. would need to be ready for it. It was easy to imagine a sudden flood of power going through the drone, frying it completely. Kyle shuddered at the thought before settling into bed. One challenge at a time.
“What do you mean, ‘Nierburg was almost overrun with giant ants?’ That’s exactly the kind of thing I would want to know about.”
Despite the heat in Kyle’s voice, Chester’s demeanor was unperturbed.
“You had a variety of other assignments, and Mr. Boltsbury told me that things were well in hand.”
“I don’t care if he thought it was ‘well in hand’ or not, I would have wanted to go.”
“You realize that I would have had no choice but to charge for the resources associated with deploying you, and take it out of your planet’s merit? It would have been a worse outcome for them, with little added benefit.”
“It wasn’t your call, Chester.”
“Nor was it yours, Mr. Mayhew. Mr. Boltsbury was placed in leadership, and it was his decision to make. It ended better than expected, with limited casualties. Furthermore, the battle provided the impetus for several meaningful breakthroughs among the awakened of the city. All in all, it was a victory.”
Kyle saw the logic in the other man’s stance, though it didn’t stop him from scowling anyway. He had no illusion that there were politics in play here, and he was ready to be done with it. This had been an unexpected piece of news after his return from the bamboo forest, and not the reason he’d come by.
“I’m assuming you received my request. How much of my personal compensation am I allowed to access?”
“The resources aboard the ship are limited, Mr. Mayhew, and frankly the company would prefer that you spend the bulk after returning to Collective space. It’s bad optics if we offer contracts like this, only to have our contractors return every credit they’ve earned.”
“So what’s the number?”
“Eight percent. I’m authorized to go up to ten, and that’s it. I also have the stipulation that anything you wish to purchase is documented thoroughly by another expedition member to ensure that you aren’t taken advantage of. The Collective can get… particular about pricing when there’s a cornered market.”
Kyle’s eyebrows rose at that statement. He’d expected Corthian Mining would be tight-fisted in unlocking his compensation, but he had no illusions that they’d be happy to take any credits that he’d offer. Knowing that there were checks and balances in place at an administrative level was a relief. After everything he’d been through with the company, however, he still held suspicions.
“That’s surprisingly generous, which frankly has me concerned. I’m not negotiating from a position of power, Chester. What’s with the concessions?”
The man steepled his hands as he rested his elbows on the desk in front of him.
“We don’t want to have an antagonistic relationship, Mr. Mayhew. We were not able to formalize a job offer, and at this point your window to contract directly with Mr. Corthus is closing. Despite that, your results make it clear to myself and other members of Corthian Mining leadership that you have a promising future. There’s no reason to sow bad karma here, only to have it reflect back on us when you’ve thrown in with a bigger fish.”
Kyle looked at Chester across the table, trying to read him. His words were direct, and didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives behind them. He decided to push further.
“Randolph said by Collective standards, I’m broken. If anything, that should be another point in your favor. It’s just not adding up.”
Chester didn’t skip a beat.
“You’re correct – your current position is a broken one. That means it is unlikely you’ll find a normal position with any of the major Collective factions. At the same time, you’ve shown impressive initiative, you’ve demonstrated synergy with two other exceptional individuals, and the progression of your personal power has been noteworthy. When we first met, I was confident in defeating you myself if the need arose. Now, I’d give you the odds. We can’t predict where you’ll end up, Mr. Mayhew, only that skills like yours will be in demand somewhere.”
Kyle nodded slowly. That… made a lot more sense. After everything that had happened, Kyle had no interest in staying with Corthian Mining after the evacuation. While the opportunities available were still a little fuzzy to him, he’d read a bit about some different avenues he could pursue. If they were convinced he’d land somewhere influential, it was good business sense not to make enemies with people who had the potential to be a fly in the ointment.
“Is Captain Rochelle available?”
“I don’t believe she’s slated for anything specific. I’ll confirm the details with her and let you know via nav bracelet. May I ask the nature of what you’re hoping to purchase?”
This was the dangerous part.
“C.H.A.D.D. took some damage in my last encounter, and I lost most of my gear. I’m looking to upgrade his pack and find some solutions on my end as well.”
Kyle could almost see the glimmer of greed in Chester’s eyes.
“Given the value your drone has provided, we would be more than happy to examine the extent of the damage. We’ve also recovered several defunct models from your planet, so the part replacement may be available as well. All without cost, of course.”
There it is. It was a tempting offer on many levels. Corthian Mining got to examine the drone, C.H.A.D.D. got replacement parts, everybody wins. Except for the fact that C.H.A.D.D. had absorbed a truly mind-boggling amount of wealth in the form of natural treasures. Its hardware couldn’t keep up, which was the issue. Parts from other C.H.A.D.D. units wouldn’t fix that. Of course, there was no way for Chester to know. Kyle figured that Chester was already suspicious that there was more to the drone than met the eye, and this would only further the foreman’s suspicions. Still, there was no way he would allow them to do a detailed analysis.
“I appreciate the generous offer. We already have plans in place, so it shouldn’t be necessary. I’m sure you can get better use out of the other units than scrap. I’ll have a requisition list sent to you later this evening.”
Chester’s mouth was a line. He gave a shallow nod, and Kyle left the office. He wanted to head straight to bed, but had one other stop to make first. Kyle found himself standing outside Randolph’s medical bay, and remembered the man’s words. You’re broken. Despite the unpleasant memory, he stepped inside. While he was confident he’d eliminated the worst of the toxins, he’d done a rushed job. Kyle wanted to get a second opinion before he let too much time pass.
“Don’t just stand there, come in, you clod!” Randolph’s voice was as gruff as ever, though his expression softened a bit upon seeing it was Kyle. “Been a while, boy. What do you need?”
Kyle didn’t see a point in mincing words. “I had to do some emergency treatment to remove D Grade venom from my body, and wanted to get a more thorough examination to make sure there’s no lingering effects.”
The stocky man grunted, and gestured for Kyle to take a seat. He complied, and soon he felt the mana of Randolph’s skill at work, a projection of Kyle’s body appearing in the air above him. Randolph studied it, looking at various parts of Kyle’s circulatory system before dismissing the projection.
“There’s nothing I see that won’t continue to heal naturally. I can see some trace damage where it looks like the venom was forced out – and I saw similar damage with some crew that visited a while back. Was that you?”
Kyle bristled at first, ready to defend himself. “If you’re talking about the people I saved from the poisonous cloud, then yes.”
Randolph gave an appraising look, before smiling. “That was damn fine work. I’m not sure how you managed to isolate and contain the toxins so effectively, but it’s a method that probably saved their lives. You’re welcome in my medical bay anytime, Mayhew.”
Kyle was surprised by the man’s reaction, and they spent the next while talking about different treatment methodology to deal with poisons. Randolph wanted to learn more about Kyle’s ability to condense and extract venom, while Kyle learned more of the Collective’s prescribed methods to handle venom.
Soon, however, it was time for Kyle to depart. He still had a large bundle of materials, and he wanted to talk with C.H.A.D.D. before they finished getting the requisition submitted to Chester. Once Kyle confirmed there was nothing out of place, he set the drone down on the bed and opened the bundle.
“Alright, C.H.A.D.D. Let’s take a look at what we’ve got.”
An eclectic mix of different materials were arrayed before them. Countless bamboo seeds spilled out, as well as several small pods from the bottom of some fern leaves he’d discovered. Several of the long barbs from the Shadow made their way into the pack, as well as a significant amount of the silk, which Kyle collected by binding it around a couple sliced pieces of bamboo. The barbs and silk were earmarked for C.H.A.D.D.’s internal improvements, while the bamboo and ferns would provide the foundation for several other equipment upgrades.
“From what we discussed, we’ll still need to get the materials to upgrade your pack. What else do you need?”
[BEFORE THAT, WHAT ABOUT REPLACING YOUR EQUIPMENT, DR. MAYHEW?]
Kyle had thought about it quite a bit on their journey back to the flagship. His encounter with the Shadow had reinforced that as melee fighters went, Kyle simply didn’t stack up in the D Grade. While sturdy armor still brought him advantages, an upgraded baton wasn’t going to provide a meaningful change.
“The pack is my most important piece of gear, C.H.A.D.D. If I can keep you safe, you’ll be able to help me more than any individual piece of armor or weapon.”
[I SUPPOSE I AM QUITE VALUABLE.]
“That’s the spirit. Now, what do we need?”
Roughly an hour later, they compiled their list and sent it to Chester. Kyle wasn’t optimistic that everything on it would be available, much less affordable. Still, he was optimistic that they could get some good stuff. They could make it work with lower-quality materials, but Kyle didn’t want to. C.H.A.D.D’s development was taking a very different form to his own, and was heavily tied to the components that the drone had at its disposal. Poor quality now ran the risk of bottlenecks later.
The inclusion of the world tree seed only complicated matters further. Kyle had gotten into the habit of staying continually connected to it through the drone, allowing it to slowly siphon mana as he in turn worked to build influence through PARASITIC RESONANCE. C.H.A.D.D. had a better grasp of the seed’s potential, though it was still largely an enigma to Kyle. He could feel its power even if it was locked away. When that changed, C.H.A.D.D. would need to be ready for it. It was easy to imagine a sudden flood of power going through the drone, frying it completely. Kyle shuddered at the thought before settling into bed. One challenge at a time.
