Chapter 299
Kyle read through the dossier one more time, absentmindedly tapping his fingers against the desk. He was still waiting on the call from Corthian Mining, but Tillienne had managed to get them both a better picture of what awaited them at their destination, a planet called Kertan Six. It was one of the others in the system with a few human settlements, though they were relegated to large sky bridges and raised platforms over the dense jungles below.
The planet was covered in lush foliage, with rich soils and minerals to be found in the land below. Unfortunately, that land wasn’t ideal for settlements, with sinkholes opening and closing seemingly at random. Many exploratory mining ventures had been thwarted by just such an occurrence, so Corthian Mining, alongside several other Gray Conglomerate enterprises set up some token settlements while they investigated cost-effective means of extraction.
Reports indicated that the world was in middle E Grade, possessing respectable mana density, though without any hints of D Grade activity. At least, not normally. Tillienne’s information indicated that Corthian Mining was preparing for wide-scale D Grade combat. This was typically reserved for large skirmishes between warring factions, and the fact that Corthian was taking the threat this seriously spoke to the dangers.
Kyle sent a few messages Garth’s way while on Ordata, and again after returning to the Hub, but hadn’t heard anything back beyond a confirmation that the grizzled veteran was safe. To an extent, Garth’s silence told the story as well as anything else. Whatever happened, Garth was treating it seriously, not sharing anything unauthorized, even with Kyle.
Without specifics, his ability to plan was somewhat limited. So, he would just have to plan for everything he could. A lot had changed since Kyle last fought alongside Garth and Skippy. They’d all improved considerably, though he felt like he’d changed the most. Back on Earth, Kyle was relegated to an almost pure support role when working with Duroc and Skippy, and Garth had possessed greater offensive power than him until he’d unlocked Parasitic Resonance.
Now, that was no longer the case. Between Ignition, Repel, and his adapted Storm Shelter, Kyle had more tools available to him, and that was before factoring in all of C.H.A.D.D.’s new techniques. He could easily slot in as a front-line fighter, while also providing protection for his allies. If his opponents were truly early D Grades, even his meager Strength could prove a threat, particularly when boosted by Ignition. Coupled with the forcehammer batons, he’d be a real menace against low-tier creatures without even having to use his active skills.
With Garth’s team all being in E Grade the last Kyle heard, he was sure he’d be a welcome addition to the squad. Getting the group synergy figured out would be a challenge, though it was one that Kyle strangely looked forward to. Really, since he arrived at the Hub, Kyle had been struggling alone. Sure, he’d hunted with Arhades, but even that felt more like independent solo fights. This was his opportunity to really get the sense for how much of an impact he could have supporting a group of otherwise weaker awakened.
He began to jot down theories based on what he remembered of Garth’s group. The Healer wasn’t terribly impressive, though Kyle hoped that the man had stuck to a more traditional path. If so, they would have access to a variety of different beneficial effects and treatment options, depending on what form the threats took.
The Fire Mage, Joseph, was much easier to figure out. Most Fire Mages had a particular knack for blowing things up at a distance, and he had no reason to believe that Joseph would be any different. Mary Ellen, the Lightning Mage, fell into a similar camp. All of which left Garth and Arianna in the front lines, with supportive fire from the back.
That left Kyle with a few places he could slot in. Depending on their opponents, staying in the middle would make the most sense. He’d be flexible enough to protect the back line, while also providing support to the front through Parasitic Resonance and Repel. And, if C.H.A.D.D. didn’t detect anything nearby to threaten the Healer and Mages, Kyle could also slot in alongside Garth and Arianna to bolster their line even further.
[DR. MAYHEW, YOU HAVE A VISITOR.]
Kyle jumped at the drone’s words, looking about for Jarberry. He frowned when he didn’t see the imp, only for C.H.A.D.D. to clarify.
[APOLOGIES. YOU HAVE A NOTIFICATION AT YOUR DOOR, WITH A VISITOR TO THE COMPLEX ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO VISIT.]
What’s the world coming to, when I expect that visitors can just appear in my apartment? Kyle wondered, walking up to the door. Sure enough, he saw the request from the front desk, and smiled when he saw who was waiting. Without a word, he allowed them up, opening the door as they appeared in the hallway outside.
“Frank, Amalia, it’s great to see you,” Kyle said warmly. “Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable.”
Frank walked up to Kyle, his movements stiffer than Kyle remembered when he last saw the man. Still, his dark eyes sparkled as he saw Kyle. He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a loud shriek. “Uncle Kyle, Uncle Kyle! It’s me!”
Amalia, for her part, rushed past her grandfather and leapt into Kyle’s arms, giving him the tightest bear hug she could manage. He laughed as he hugged the young girl back, giving her a spin before setting her down on the ground.
“Wow, Amalia! You’ve certainly gotten bigger,” Kyle said with a smile.
“You’re telling me,” Frank chuckled, tapping his lower back in mock complaint. “Thank you for seeing us unannounced, Kyle. We just got word that you’ll be taking off to help Arianna and her group with their assignment, and wanted to see you before you left. I would have sent a message, but I still can’t figure out this confounded bracelets.”
“And grandpa won’t give me one,” Amalia pouted, crossing her arms as Kyle set her down.
He tried not to laugh as he ushered them inside. “You know, your grandpa has his reasons. Please, come in. Are you hungry? I can whip up something to eat, if you want.”
“I think I’ll be fine,” Frank began, before Amalia stopped mid stride to look up at Kyle.
“Do you have ice cream?”
“Amalia, that’s rude!” Frank exclaimed, with a look of horror.
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Kyle reassured. He looked at Amalia with a warm smile. “I don’t have any ice cream right now, but if your grandpa is okay with it, we can get some delivered while you’re here. Assuming you hope to stay a while?”
Frank smiled, old laugh lines creasing his face. “You’re too generous, Kyle. We’ve already imposed on you by coming by unannounced. We don’t want to be a bother, truly.”
The words hit Kyle harder than any C Grade. Have I truly made them feel like they’d be an inconvenience? That I wouldn’t want to see them?
“Please, it’s no trouble at all. Grab a seat, and I’ll get you each a drink and some food, then we’ll order ice cream. I’ve got the time.”
“Yay!” Amalia said, running over to Kyle’s usual chair and jumping into it. Before Frank could respond, she looked at Kyle and tilted her head a bit. “Your tattoos look different, Uncle Kyle. I want cool changing tattoos, too.”
Kyle hid another chuckle as he watched Frank visibly age another decade at the young girl’s words.
[NO TATTOOS UNTIL YOU ARE OLDER, AMALIA,] C.H.A.D.D. admonished. [ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR EDUCATION TO A SATISFACTORY DEGREE, YOU ARE WELCOME TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS.]
“Do you have any cool stories?” Amalia asked C.H.A.D.D., her eyes glittering. She’d always been a fan of the drone’s tales of adventure, just as C.H.A.D.D. was a fan of telling the stories. A small, projected image of a shrike appeared, as the drone began to regale her of the latest adventures of the Onyx Warrior.
With Amalia fully engrossed in C.H.A.D.D.’s child-rated version of events, Kyle turned to Frank. “How have things been? I know Arianna has been away for quite a while.”
“We’re getting by,” Frank replied, his smile beginning to fade. “It’s a better life than I feared we would have, when we left Earth. Still, I get the sense that there’s a restlessness. Those that can’t help Corthian are still provided for by the Gray Conglomerate, but even after years here, assimilation is difficult.”
Kyle nodded, having heard similar reports before. His opportunity to set out on his own and gain independent licensure was unique, and enviable. Even when considering all the hardship he’d been through to acquire it. For the unawakened, their options became more and more limited, especially as refugees.
“Have you heard from Arianna? How are they doing?” Kyle asked, curious if she’d shared anything with them.
“We would hear from her pretty regularly until a couple of months ago,” Frank said. “She’s doing well, and we’re proud of her. Of course, we miss her, too, but we’re happy that she’s started to find her way.”
He looked at his scarred, callused hands, and then back up at Kyle, a look of determination in his face. “I don’t know what’s happening out there, but the whispers we’ve heard make it sound dangerous. I know I’m not in a position to ask this, but please, keep her safe. I don’t have too many years left, and I can’t lose one of my little girls. Not again.”
Kyle met Frank’s eyes, seeing the fear, hurt, and weariness that the old man had been carrying. “I’ll do everything I can, Frank. I promise.”
“Thank you, Kyle. These old bones can rest a little easier knowing that you’ll be there to help them.”
The two talked a while longer about the transition many of the Earthlings made, finding work at the various spaceports and teleporters in the Gray Conglomerate. Still, credits were tight, and their accommodations were humble. Even after several years, there hadn’t been a full adjustment and integration, with only a select few awakened having secured enough to truly strike out on their own.
Finally, Kyle got an expected notification, and went to the door to grab the food and ice cream he’d ordered, much to Amalia’s delight. They shared a meal together, laughing as C.H.A.D.D. began to animate Amalia’s stories from school, and her retellings of Arianna’s exploits. The hours passed by, and Kyle remembered just how good it was to enjoy their company, coupled by a pang of guilt for not making more time to do so. Soon, too soon, it was time for them to leave.
“It was wonderful seeing you, Kyle,” Frank said, shaking Kyle’s hand as they walked to the door. “When Arianna comes back, when this assignment is done, we’ll host you. No arguments, we’ll have a wonderful homecoming.”
Kyle smiled. “I’d like that very much.” Turning to Amalia, he gave her a conspiratorial grin. “And you stay out of trouble, do you hear me?”
She looked up at him, her smile a mixture of mischief and joy. “I’m not going to promise that, but I’ll try not to get into too much.”
[THE NEXT TIME WE SEE YOU, WE WILL SHARE STORIES ALL ABOUT BIG SCARY HODAGS.]
“What’s a hodag?” Amalia asked.
[YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL OUR NEXT MEETING TO FIND OUT,] C.H.A.D.D. replied.
After saying their farewells, Kyle cleaned up around his apartment, preparing for his departure. If Frank had heard whispers, that meant the time to go was near at hand. Just a couple of hours later, Kyle awoke to the message he’d been expecting.
Mr. Mayhew,
Please report to Corthian Mining Headquarters at your earliest convenience. We are sending out a wave of support to our expeditionary force, and the shuttle leaves in 71 hours and forty-six minutes.
Reach out to Corthian Mining Operations, or the Office of Angela Corthus with any questions.
With a sigh, he stood and gathered his gear. It was time.