Edge of apocalypse 59

New Quest: Leviathan Diversion II

· Acquire AM-III glass.

· Reward: Minor ring of protection upgrade.

“It’s a very particular kind of glass made of carbon.” Albert’s mother said, after he told her about the quest. “Very strong. Should be something like ten times as hard as steel. I will ask Transit if they have it, or if they can acquire it for us after we get the plutonium.”

“Alright.”

“Tell me more about the other skill you got. I think I might have an idea.”

“Earth Shard?” Albert asked.

“No. The healing one.”

“Healing touch! Let me read the description for you: You can perform a quick healing incantation on yourself or on others. The skill will attempt to restore the body to its peak possible condition. Cost will adjust to the injury being healed.”

Mother hummed. “Yep. I do have an idea. We need to test the skill first, of course. But it’s going to have to wait, there are things I need to get done at the Quadrangle.” She checked her phone. “The GPT-4 AI we installed there is reporting some unusual activity that requires my personal supervision.”

“What about the plutonium?”

Samantha narrowed her eyes. “Do you think you think you can manage it alone? I think you can. It’s just the same as before. You pop in there, get the stuff, go to Singapore, return. Ah, they will also give you the address for a few more warehouses they have around the world. After you get the list I’ll buy you plane tickets.” She said, going for the door. Then, as if remembering something, she turned around. “If you are okay with it.”

Albert nodded. “I’m fine with it. And, you know, I like it that you give me stuff to do like missions and such. They are actually fun to do!”

“Oh. That’s nice.”

“Just tell me beforehand.”

“Will do. Goodbye now, see you after the delivery. And… good luck!”

“Good luck to you too, mom.”

Samantha nodded, and left the house. This time, feeling light and energized despite knowing that she was about to walk into the dragon’s den. The Quadrangle was still full of HDF goons, and each time she went there she knew there was a probability it would be the last. Like when she was in school, and she used to lock eyes with the professor as to get her attention so she could rack up grades faster. Except this time it was the opposite way, and she really wanted to avoid meeting the gaze of her superiors.

***

There were three hours to wait before the delivery, and Albert felt like it was an exam day at school. Which reminded him, he thought with a complicated smile, that he hadn’t gone to college in more than a week. And, in addition to that, it was improbable that he would ever have enough time to resume his classes. There still was the option of studying at home and taking exams but… yeah. Time. And effort.

In the end, he decided to teleport to Lloyd to have a little chat with him. The two chatted about his mother a bit, and Albert learned more about her in one day than he knew from his whole childhood.

“Did she tell you that she thinks you did a fantastic job in Singapore?”

“No?”

“Oh…” Lloyd said, deflating.

“We were busy with other matters.”

“She needs to learn to compliment people more. And to express her feelings.” Grandpa said under his breath. “How did the ‘other matters’ go?”

“Very well, I think.” Albert said.

“That’s awesome! Why don’t you look like it’s awesome?”

“It’s not that, gramps.”

“Then what? The delivery?”

Was it the delivery? Albert suppressed the need to check his phone. On his way to here, right before teleporting, he had received a message from Marc. He finally wanted to meet.

“You got it, come on!” His grandfather went on, not knowing what Albert was really busy with. “What can they even do to you? Just go there, act all cocky like a rogue mage. Pretend that you are scared shitless of your mother too, helps with the image of power she needs to project. Then leave. Easy as that.”

It really was easy as that. Albert found out that his mother had already arranged for everything before he even left. Once he arrived at the warehouse via teleportation, he was met with the very same two people that were supervising the transaction the other time.

They greeted each other, then the two simply gave him space to store all the items, then they watched him as he sat on the ground motionless for two minutes, and he was away. Barely three words were spoken, and all of them were of greeting.

On the other side of the planet, he found the warehouse empty like last time, although he could feel the presence of a great number of people hidden from view. Some of them, he felt, were even underground below the concrete floor of the place. Close to the center of the room where he deposited the numerous crates for Transit, he found the payment.

It was one single lead container, made from a single cast called ‘Pig’ by the industry-savvy. He did his homework before handling radioactive material. Even with the lead container, Albert still saw that his shield lit up now and then, meaning that were some radioactive particles that managed to escape containment and harmlessly impacted his shield instead of trying to ionize his atoms.

“Interesting.” A voice said from a dark corner of the place. “To think that they even got a teleporter to carry all their stuff.”

Albert could see perfectly in the darkness thanks to his [Perception] ability. But, in order to have some sort of advantage, he pretended not to.

“Who are you?”

“Just a… liaison. I wanted to see you.” The man said. Then, he pointed at Albert’s face. It was still concealed by the properties of the hood he crafted with [Magical Item Creation]. “Well, not-see you.”

“Liaison… Sam—the boss warned me about potential…” Albert cocked his head, trying to act intimidating. “Onlookers. I know who you are.”

Appraisal.

[Sean DeMilligan. Caucasian male. Holds a high position inside Transit Global.]

“Mister DeMilligan.” Albert continued, all the appraising taking less than a fraction of a second with [Bullet Time].

The man seemed taken aback. “You did your research, I see. I did mine.” He said, smacking his lips. “And you are not from the BSA. Which means you’re new. Let me warn you—”

“Your warning is useless.”

The man scoffed. “What? Why would it be useless?”

“Because I don’t care. I work for the boss.” Albert said, then paused. “Only the boss. You understand?”

The man’s face twisted into a cocky smile. “What if I told you I can offer much more than what she could ever offer? Especially… well… let’s just say that her position may not be as solid as it looks.”

“Let me give you a warning, Sean.” Albert said, turning his back to the man after having pocketed the plutonium. “Don’t pick a fight with the wrong person. You might come to regret it.”

***

Albert Grassman appeared in the small clearing he would soon call his base, in the last green speck on all of Erebus. A small valley where nature still lived.

The sun was setting, but the air was warm and pleasant.

Yet, he was shivering. He threw himself to the ground, forcing himself to breathe.

Holy shit. Holy shit holy shit holy shit holy shit.