54

  Aria sat with a smile on her face and watched her parents devour the chocolate chip cookies she had baked for them. Some of the guards look envious. She pointed at the other tray of cookies she had baked.

  “You sure?” mouthed one of the guards. Aria nodded. The guard mouthed “Thanks.”

  Aria grinned as three of the guards stormed the cookie tray and retreated before a couple of the other staff followed their lead.

  “These are so good, sweetie,” Piper said.

  “Yep,” Mike agreed.

  “Thanks mom,” Aria said. Mike mock scowled at her. “And thanks dad.”

  Her dad smiled and pulled her into a side hug. Aria returned the hug.

  “And you learned how to bake and cook from one of those skill downloads or whatever you told us about?” Piper asked.

  “You know I couldn’t cook before,” Aria answered, nodding her head. “I could barely boil water.”

  Her parents laughed.

  “If the company does offer these skill downloads to regular people, they’ll make billions,” Mike said after getting his laughter under control. “I’ve heard the higher ups are a bit divided on that front though. Some want to maximize the company’s profit while others want to keep the skill downloads for the elite and those in their favor.”

  “I wouldn’t mind picking up something like knitting and cooking if offered,” Piper said.

  “Has the company started testing others yet or am I still the guinea pig?” Aria asked.

  Her dad shrugged. “Depends on what rumors you believe.”

  In other words, I’m not the only test subject anymore or won’t be the only one for much longer, Aria thought. And that doesn’t surprise me.

  She pulled her guitar from her inventory and started playing. Aria hummed while she played. Mike and Piper listened for a while as did others coming and going from the cafeteria.

  “I really wish you would start playing the violin or piano again,” her mother said wistfully.

  “I will one day,” Aria replied without stopping her playing. “At least the piano. Mom, I promise.”

  “That’s good enough for me,” Piper said.

  “Where did the guitar come from?” her father asked. “That’s not the same one you had before.”

  “And the necklace,” Piper added. Aria stopped playing and showed her mom the pendant while explaining where she had gotten the two gifts from. “It’s pretty.”

  Mike stood and stretched. “Come on, let’s go for a walk along the pond.”

  Seems dad wants to talk about something in as much privacy as we can get.

  “Alright,” Aria agreed, putting away her guitar.

  *

  “So, Dad, what’s on your mind,” Aria asked after they had gotten a fair distance from the building. We’re still being watched though.

  “Before we get to that. Aria, what’s with you and that young doctor?” Piper asked.

  “Yeah,” Mike said. “He kept looking at you in an almost possessive way unlike he has done on our prior visits. Other times I caught him looking he looked at you like he didn’t care before he left the cafeteria.”

  So much for my parents being clueless. Guess I need to tell them what happened, Aria thought. She mumbled, “We had sex.”

  “Aria!” her parents exclaimed at the same time.

  I had forgotten they have that super parent hearing when they want it.

  “We’re adults,” Aria said by way of explanation. “And I needed the… release.”

  “After your little trip?” Mike asked. Aria nodded.

  “What trip?” Piper asked, spinning to face her husband. Then she spun back to her daughter. “Did you at least use protection?”

  “Yes Mom,” Aria answered. With the nanites, I’m not sure if it would have mattered even if we hadn’t had. “And before you ask, no I don’t intend to see Craig again other than for the tests they subject me to.”

  “Does he know that?” her dad asked.

  “He pretty much made that decision for me,” Aria answered. “And if he’s having second thoughts, too bad.”

  “Alright, we’ll talk no more about it,” Mike said.

  Thank you, God!

  “Now, what trip?” Piper asked. Aria explained about the Southland excursion. “But I thought those trips wouldn’t happen for months.”

  “The excursions had to start sometime,” Mike stated. “And Aria did sign a contract.”

  “I know,” Piper replied. “But she’s still our baby.”

  “I survived Mom,” Aria said. “And I killed a really huge alligator type thing.”

  It’s for the best that you guys don’t know the truth.

  “How huge?” Piper asked.

  “Deinosuchus,” Mike muttered at the same time his wife had asked her question.

  “Dad, you know?” Aria asked.

  “Yes, sweetie, I know,” her dad answered. “And the thing was about 30 feet long.”

  “What?” Piper shouted.

  “Calm down honey,” Mike said.

  “It wasn’t too hard,” Aria fibbed. “The size hardly mattered.” Mike snorted. “Dad, have you seen some video or something?”

  “Video?” Piper repeated questioningly.

  “Satellite and drone surveillance,” Mike confirmed.

  “I knew it!” Aria exclaimed. She told her parents about the fight and trip to Southland. Piper and Mike just hugged her and told her how much they loved her once she was done.

  “Those fireballs, ice spears, and invisible blade thing you did have the higherups wondering just how you did them,” her dad said. “Plus, I’ve been asked when you’ll sell the knowledge and technology to the company.”

  “Fireballs?” Piper asked. “Somebody better tell me what’s going on.”

  “The short version is that I figured out how to store and use kinetic energy,” Aria explained. “What some would call magic but are just physical manifestations of the stored energy are the results.”

  Piper gave her a disbelieving look. Aria showed her an icicle and fireball. She then briefly explained how they were done.

  “Is that all you can do?” Mike asked.

  “For now, but I’m working on a way to make a shield or forcefield. The fight with the Deinosuchus made it clear to me armor isn’t enough protection,” Aria answered. “After that, I plan on seeing what else I can come up with for my ‘magic’. Gunny told me once that if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying. So, I’m cheating and as for selling these tricks, they might just end up available for free.”

  55

  “Have a good run?” Gunny asked the following morning as Aria finished her cooldown. “Oh yeah, Collingsworth says the identify program should be working now.”

  “It was a good run,” Aria replied. She pulled her canteen out of her inventory and took a sip of water. She tried Collingsworth’s identification program on the gunnery sergeant. “Thanks for telling me about the identify program. Let’s see if it works.”

  Gunnery Sergeant Tupu Hauora. Unaltered Human. Level 0.

  It works, Aria thought as she dismissed the notice. I’m glad Collingsworth included names, species, and level instead of just level and species. Unaltered humans seem a bit weird but makes sense if they’ve started testing on regular people. And I bet creatures like the Deinosuchus will just show the level and species though.

  “Are you able to keep the water cold?” Gunny asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

  “Maybe.”

  “That means yes,” Gunny said. “Or at least that little grin does.”

  “Alright, you got me. I modified my canteen a bit so it can keep water cold,” Aria admitted. It can also suck moisture out of the air, and therefore won’t run out of water until the atmosphere does, but you don’t need to know that, Gunny.

  “Huh. I was thinking your inventory kept whatever was put in it in the state the item was in when you put it in the inventory which means a canteen filled with cold water would stay cold,” Gunny said. “But if you can make canteens keep water cold instead of just cool, that would sell well.”

  “Thanks for the long-winded tip. Which means watch what I say and keep my big mouth shut,” Aria replied with a smile on her face. Gunny nodded and tipped his cap.

  “What did the program tell you when you scanned me or whatever?” Gunny asked.

  “Your name, rank, species, and level,” Aria answered. He grunted but didn’t comment. “Considering Collingsworth pulled all of his ideas from games, I bet I’ll see classes for people in Southland instead of ranks.”

  “Most likely,” Hauora agreed. “Anyway, you won’t have to report for testing today. So, I’d rather you work on trap making. You have the knowledge and skill, but more hands-on time is always good.”

  “Sure. Is there a reason why no testing?” Aria said. I sort of want to see Craig and sort of don’t. I know I’m not in love with him, but part of me wouldn’t mind another tumble or two. Stop it! You know you can always get yourself off. Besides, masturbation would be less emotional.

  “Two days,” Gunny answered pulling Aria from her thoughts again. She gave him a questioning look. “In two days, you’re going back into Southland and will be spending 48 hours there. And in case you’re wondering, me and the other watchdogs will accompany you.”

  “I thought it would be a while before we did overnights in Southland,” Aria said.

  “Plans changed. Dr Roth is pushing up the timetable,” Gunny explained. “I think she’s going to demand you start the six-month assessment within the month and I wouldn’t be surprised if Dr Roth doesn’t start it in the next week or two.”

  “That’s… good and bad, isn’t it?” I really need to get my butt in gear and get my little surprises up and running. But I’m still not sure how to make a shield.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  “Depends on your point of view,” Gunny replied. “So, spend your normal testing time working on your trap making and after lunch spend another hour doing so. After that, take the time to talk to your folks if you want, play music, or whatever.”

  “Alright. Gunny, what about armor? I messed the other up pretty good.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s why I know you weren’t completely honest with us about that giant gator monster without seeing the surveillance footage, which I was shown by the way.”

  “Sorry. I just didn’t want you to think I was stupid or suicidal, and I wanted to hide my tricks.”

  “It’s alright. I don’t blame you,” Gunny said. “You’ll be getting another quilted gambeson, leather chausses, and leather brigandine. I’ve also had a helmet ordered for you.”

  “Don’t want me bashing my head into anymore rocks?” Aria asked with a grin.

  “Exactly.”

  “Good, cause that wasn’t fun,” Aria said.

  “No doubt,” Gunny laughed. “Anyway, you’re getting a leather Spangenhelm, which is basically a cone shaped leather cap with iron braces and a nose guard.”

  “Doesn’t sound like it’ll do much good,” Aria remarked.

  “They worked quite well for a long-time centuries ago,” Gunny replied. “And you’re also getting a padded or quilted hood. It’ll help cushion your gray matter.”

  “Thanks Gunny. Are we heading towards the coast?”

  “You’re welcome and yes. Why?”

  “Does that mean I can bring a bikini and work on my tan?”

  “No. Now get to the supply depot and get what you need to get to work on those traps.”

  56

  “Well, at least this means we’ll get you back sooner,” Piper said on the call Aria had made to her parents that evening. “Though, I’m not happy about you being out of touch for so long.”

  “I’ve figured a way around that,” Aria replied.

  “You have?” Mike asked. “And is this call secure?”

  “Yes, to both questions,” Aria answered. “I’ve piggybacked into the company’s quantum communication network and have setup my own.”

  “When did you do that?” her mom asked.

  “I finished it this afternoon,” Aria replied. “It was actually easier to do than I thought it would be. Setting up the encryption was the hardest part and took a couple of days. In fact, we’re using my network now.”

  “But how did you get quantum particles outside of the facility?” her dad asked.

  “When I borrowed your phones to secure them a while back,” Aria answered. “The other bonded particle is in my implant. The nanites are truly amazing little things.”

  “That’s good,” Piper said. “We might be able to track you and get you out of there.”

  “That…” Mike started to say.

  “Won’t work,” Aria concluded for her dad. “And I’m making it so nobody can track me by GPS or other trackers. Being recognized as an elf once I’m through with all this will be bad enough.”

  Plus, I don’t think I’ll be allowed to live what would be considered a normal life ever again. So, dropping out of sight and maybe communication entirely is probably my best bet no matter how much it might hurt.

  “Aria?” her dad said.

  “Huh? I’m sorry. Was just lost in thought,” Aria replied. “What was that, Dad?”

  “Seems some things haven’t changed despite your super hearing,” her mom joked. Aria and Mike laughed.

  “I had asked if you had figured out your shield idea,” Mike said after the laughter had subsided.

  “No. There’s something I’m missing,” Aria replied. “It’s probably simple and I’m overlooking it. That, or it’s much more complicated than I think.”

  “Maybe this will help,” her dad said. “Back before the corporations took over, the US navy had filed two patents in the early 2020s. The first was for some kind of hybrid craft that could travel in the air and underwater.”

  “An UFO?” Piper prompted.

  “That’s what some of the rumors were, including where the technology came from,” Mike replied. “Supposedly this vehicle was designed to travel faster than anything ever created by mankind under water and in the air.”

  “That’s interesting, but has nothing to do with Aria’s problem,” Piper said.

  “True. It’s the second patent that does though,” Mike replied. “That patent was for an electromagnetic field generator that could create an impenetrable shield.”

  “That could be just what I need,” Aria said, excitement clear in her voice. “Is there any other information about this generator?”

  “Not that I’ve uncovered,” her dad answered. “Evidently the navy had buried the research or destroyed it. Most likely, one of SL3’s competitors ended up with it though. I know the company doesn’t have it.”

  “I think I can make this generator work,” Aria said. “Though I’ll need something conductive.”

  “What about your necklace?” Piper asked. “Would that work?”

  “Silver is extremely conductive,” Mike replied. “But unless Aria glues it to her skin, she can’t ensure she maintains contact with the necklace at all times.”

  “True,” Aria agreed sadly. She then brightened as she read about other conductive materials. “But carbon nanotubes are a great conductive material too.”

  “Where are you going to get carbon nanotubes from?” her dad asked. “Make them?”

  “Yep,” Aria answered as the idea formed.

  “The body is around 20% carbon,” her mom added. “But I don’t think you can use that.”

  “But we also exhale carbon dioxide with every breath we take,” Aria said. “So, I can have my nanites capture that carbon and convert it into nanotubes.”

  “And where are you going to put those at?” her parents asked at the same time. They chuckled.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not planning on turning my blood vessels into nanotubes, or making myself a carbon nanotube tattoo, or anything like that,” Aria promised. She heard her parents breathe sighs of relief. “I’ve never liked tattoos either and you know that. I’m going to put these nanotubes in my bones or attach them to my bones, whichever is easier.”

  “Aria,” her parents said in exasperation at the same time.

  “Carbon is a fundamental building block of life, so it should be fine and not hurt me,” Aria replied. “I need to get working on this. I’ll call or message you tomorrow. Love you both! Bye.”

  *

  It’ll take a week for the nanites to create the nanotubes. They’re also reinforcing my bones even more in the process, which should keep the tubes from breaking. That goes for my bones too, which is a very good thing.

  Aria tapped her chin. I should also up my energy storage capacity to the max again. Maybe even move the storage to my bones and out of my skin. Bones are denser, so perhaps that would allow for even more storage. It’s worth a try, if nothing else.

  And with the increased energy available, maybe I can use it and the nanotubes for some kind of lightning style attack. That would be shocking for anything I have to fight.

  Aria chuckled and issued the necessary commands to her nanobots before she could talk herself out of it as if that was even possible. She then stood and stretched. This is going to take a lot of food and energy. Lasagna would be a nice starting point and that’s what the kitchen made for supper tonight.

  57

  “That’s a lot of water,” Bishop said two days later. “But no beaches.”

  “Never seen an ocean before?” Holder teased. Bishop flipped her off, which made Holder laugh.

  “That’s because the rising oceans and tsunamis wiped out the Outer Banks,” Towns said, reminding all of them of one of the largest natural disasters to ever happen. “All of the new oceanfront property was industrial areas, neighborhoods, forests, and farmland.”

  “That’s a shame,” Timmons said. “A beach day would be nice. I wouldn’t mind doing some fishing.”

  “Not with what’s in those waters,” Gunny countered. “I just hope the barriers further out in the Atlantic hold. If not, the world’s sea life is fucked.”

  “So, I brought a bikini for nothing,” Aria said, putting her helmet on and taking it back off again. This helmet sucks and hurts my head! Timmons, Bishop, Towns, and Holder laughed. Gunny shook his head. “It’s a shame Kitty Hawk is gone. Mom and dad took me there when I was younger.”

  “Stop playing with it or you’ll go blind,” Holder teased. Aria laughed and put her helmet in her inventory. “You’ll get used to wearing it in time.”

  “I told you not to bring a bikini,” Gunny muttered. Aria shrugged. “There’s no beaches and you won’t have time anyway.”

  “You really brought a bikini?” Holder asked.

  “Yes,” Aria answered.

  “You could put the bikini on and model it for us,” Bishop said, giving Aria an exaggerated wink. She flipped him off, which made Bishop and Holder laugh. He blew Aria a kiss in return.

  “In your dreams,” Aria replied as the transport slowed and started to descend. Bishop smiled and winked at her again.

  “Enough kids. Don’t make me turn this transport around,” Gunny said.

  “Would you, Gunny?” Bishop asked. “That would be swell and a lot better than spending the next 48 hours in Southland.”

  “We could let you walk back Bishop,” Towns said.

  “No thanks Sarge,” Bishop quickly replied. Towns grinned and looked out the window.

  “Ah. There’s Croatan National Forest or what’s left of it,” Towns said.

  “Is that our goal?” Aria asked.

  “Your goal,” Gunny corrected. “You’re the one that wanted to hunt spiders for their silk, and what’s left of the Croatan has some between levels 1-3 in it.”

  “Don’t get bitten,” Timmons said.

  “No, do get bitten,” Gunny countered. “Remember Aria, that’s part of the deal.”

  “I remember,” Aria replied. “Are you guys going into the forest with me?”

  “We’ll be following as always, but you should be able to handle most of what’s around here on your own,” Gunny Hauora answered. “This is one of the zones that is going to be a beginner area and there shouldn’t be anything over level 3 here. Part of New Bern has been converted into a village and will be the hub for the area. We’ll be avoiding it.”

  “Didn’t you reach level 3 before?” Towns asked as the transport touched down. They heard the engines wind down.

  “Nope,” Aria answered. “I guess running from bus sized reptiles wasn’t enough.”

  And evidently neither was killing one above my level.

  “Alright troops,” Towns said. “Time to load up on your pest repellent.”

  “What is this stuff made from?” Holder asked as she pulled a spray bottle from her backpack.

  “Cinnamon, lavender, rose, cedar, and peppermint essential oils,” Gunny replied. “Those are the best for keeping spiders at bay according to the eggheads.”

  “Just great,” Bishop complained. “I’ll smell like flowers until we go back.”

  “You can go without. I’ll gladly use your spray,” Timmons offered. “Those wolf spiders are supposed to be the size of cats in there.”

  “Oh,” Bishop muttered. He immediately started spraying himself with his spray bottle to laughter from the others.

  “Don’t get any on Aria,” Towns warned. Bishop nodded. The rear hatch opened. Timmons and Holder exited, taking up guard positions.

  “Clear,” Holder called out.

  “Alright Aria, let’s go,” Gunny said. They exited the transport followed by Towns and Bishop. Aria stopped and looked at the forest.

  Pine Tree

  Magnolia Tree

  Hickory Tree

  Oak Tree

  “Gah!” Aria exclaimed, dismissing the notices and closing her eyes.

  “What is it?” Gunny asked.

  “This damned scanner or identify program is identifying all the trees I look at,” Aria complained.

  “Did you mess with it?” Towns asked.

  “A little,” Aria grumbled. She reset and rebooted the program. She then looked around after it started up. “That’s better.”

  “Why did you mess with the program?” Gunny asked.

  “Because I thought it would be good for it to help identify useful and edible plants,” Aria answered.

  “And you were bored on the flight,” Holder joked. Aria agreed.

  “Well, now you know better,” Gunny said. “Anyway, lead the way. We’ll be a good five minutes behind you.”

  “Why so far back?” Aria asked.

  “Don’t want to interfere with your hunt,” Gunny answered. “And if there’s something you can’t handle, run back to us.”

  “Right,” Aria muttered. “Sure, is shadowy in there.”

  “Go on. Stop dilly dallying,” Gunny said.

  “Alright. I’m going,” Aria replied. She started walking and soon entered the forest. Hopefully, this goes well.

  58

  Aria watched the spider in disbelief. They really are the size of cats! I hate this.

  She continued to watch the arachnid as it stalked a rabbit. Thankfully, it’s only level 2. I should kill it before it kills the bunny. Then again, if the spider drags the rabbit back to its nest, I’ll be able to find its silk easier. But that poor bunny…

  Aria pulled out her bow and an arrow almost before she realized what she was doing. She drew the string back and aimed carefully. Wait! I haven’t adjusted the energy output yet.

  She shuddered as she remembered what had happened to that turkey a few days past. Aria put her bow and arrow away. She then played Immigrant Song. She keyed two commands. A foot long ice shard shot forward and slammed into the wolf spider.

  The spider screeched, curling around the ice that stuck through it. The rabbit fled. Aria smiled as the spider died. Take that! She started to turn as she heard something behind her.

  Aria felt something hit the side of her head, nearly knocking her off her feet. She felt something hairy covering her eyes from the side. Aria reached up and pulled. The thing came off and she got a good look at it.

  Aria blanched. Thank God for the helmet.

  The large dark spider hissed at her. Its chelicerae snapped shut as it tried to bite her. Don’t get bit! Venom is dripping from its fangs.

  She threw it against a tree and launched an ice shard at it. The spider screeched and flapped against the tree as the shard stuck it to the bark. Aria shivered and wiped herself off as the spider died. I hate spiders.

  Aria used the identify program and sighed as she dismissed the notice. Both are level 2 Mutated Wolf Spiders. Dammit! I need to get bitten by one of them.

  Aria looked around and noticed the first spider’s tracks on the ground. I need to follow the tracks back to its nest. But the second one attacked from behind and above…

  She turned and looked at the oak tree behind her. Her eyes climbed the tree, and she saw a hollow. I wonder if that is the nest. There’s only one way to find out.

  *

  Aria grinned as she easily found her balance on the tree branch. I don’t like what has been done to me, but I’m coming to appreciate some of the changes and skills. She peeked into the hole in the tree.

  I see you, Aria thought as she watched kitten sized spiders move around. Thankfully, there’s only a dozen of you little buggers.

  She spotted the egg sack in a corner. Aha! There’s my prize.

  Aria brushed some of the detritus from the opening. Leaves stuck to the silk covering the floor. The spiderlings hissed at her, so Aria used the identify program on them.

  Well, that’s interesting. They’re all level 1. Maybe the altered creatures here are born at level 1. Guess I can ask Collingsworth about that later, but for now, I need to kill these little spiders or get them out of the nest somehow.

  Aria sighed. If I leave them alive, they’ll most likely become larger problems later. Problems that other people stumble upon, and they won’t have my advantages either. But isn’t that part of the point of Southland? To let people live out their fantasies including being adventurers and monster hunters.

  Plus, if I kill these things, I might level up again or get closer to doing so at least, Aria thought. I don’t have a pointy dagger though and don’t want to risk setting the tree on fire, especially with me standing on one of its branches. Guess, I could shoot them with icicles or maybe try freezing them…

  “That would work,” Aria murmured. The spiderlings hissed at the noise of her speech. One even hopped forward, biting at empty air. “Thanks for the reminder. I should let you bite me before freezing you to death.”

  She pulled her left glove off and stuck her hand into the opening before she could change her mind. Aria flinched as the little aggressive spiderling bit her hand. She snatched her hand back. “That freaking hurt!”

  A second later Aria’s hand started to swell, itch, and burn. Mother fuc…

  “You venomous little shit!” Aria cursed the spiderling. It hissed at her again. She calmed her mind and played a soothing melody. The pain and swelling started to fade as the nanites healed her.

  Right. Now it’s time to make a little programming adjustment, Aria thought. She smiled. Guess I should call this Ice Cone or something.

  Aria started to work on the code as her hand returned to normal. She put her glove back on and took a drink of water from her canteen. She looked around to make sure no other spider or predator snuck up on her.

  I don’t smell anything other than this tree and the spider nest. They stink too. I also don’t hear anything but normal animal sounds, but I’m learning I can’t be too careful.

  The code finished compiling and tested well. No bugs other than spiders. God, I hope that venom is out of my system and it’s just me feeling a bit silly.

  “Alright you little buggers, let’s see how you like the cold,” Aria said aloud. The spiderlings hissed. “That goes double for you whichever one of you bit me.”