Before everyone started talking Pandora noticed that she had more notifications and opened them.

  SYSTEM Message

  SYSTEM Users also enjoy additional perks.

  First, All SYSTEM Users may pull up a simplified terrain map that will display everything that they have noticed within 100 feet. What is displayed is determined by the SYSTEM user's perception. Skills and Class Abilities can modify and improve this perk.

  Second, All System Users receive Personal Storage. Personal Storage is an extra-dimensional storage area that can hold up to 10 lbs. worth of materials. Attaining Teir 2,3,4, and 5 Classes as well as some Skills can modify the total storage area. Please note that some perks and abilities allow others to search through and take from your Personal Storage. Some skills work to prevent others from searching another's Personal Storage

  As part of your Personal Storage Wardrobe Sets can be assigned and changed into. One set may be assigned per Class Tier. Perks and Skills can modify this number. Additionally, all looted Treasure can be deposited in your Personal Storage.

  Pandora closed her notifications and looked around, “Sorry about that, I had a couple more notifications to look at.”

  “If anyone is going to figure out what’s going on, it’s going to be you,” Cedrik said. After he waited for a second he asked, “So, what’s going on?”

  “I don’t know. I thought that the loss of electronics and nanites was going to doom all of you. On that, Abi, why are we able to fly right now?”

  A new voice, that sounded a lot like her father spoke through the speakers, “That would be because of me?”

  “And you are?” Pandora asked.

  “You knew me as Thor. The Previous SYSTEM removed me from your father, and I took on the designation of Tantur. When this new SYSTEM took over, As I am the memories of your father and an Artificial Intelligence I received a couple of choices. Return to your Father, Come to you, or go free. I choose to come to you.”

  “Why didn’t you go back to Johnathan,” Pandora’s Grandmother asked.

  “Because I felt that my memories and abilities would be more useful here. While I may not have been able to help Pandora while the other SYSTEM was active, I was able to monitor her. As the new SYSTEM took over and became aware of the SYSTEM’s attitude towards microcellular technologies and how hampered they were I chose to come to Abi and infest the nanites that made up this aircraft she was controlling. In a sense, I am this aircraft, and this aircraft is me.

  “What kind of rules are you talking about?” Pandora’s Grandfather asked.

  “Because I am an Artificial Intelligence I have claimed the nanites in this aircraft as my body. I can use that mass to create anything that the nanites can. I can also use the nanites in this body to destroy any nonorganic mass that I come into contact with. Additionally, one of my perks allows me to convert electrons and protons into materials I can use as a power source. So I can be this aircraft with thrusters, or I can be a car, or I could even be a spaceship and travel faster than light if needed. I just need extra mass that I can destroy or convert. Oh, yeah I can also replace any missing mass and create food and drinks but that’s it.

  “So, nanotechnology is severely limited? What about my ability to Mold Chaos?” Pandora asked.

  “I don’t know, but if you still have the ability to use it you should be okay,” Thor said.

  “Do you still have Adam’s memories?” Desirae asked.

  “I have…some…of his memories. I do not have Adam’s perfect memories and I do not have access to an infinite storage device anymore. I kept a lot of practical knowledge but left a lot behind when I was moved into this body,” Thor explained.

  “I kind of miss being an electronic presence, if I’m being honest,” Abi said from the cockpit.

  “This is all very nice, but I would like to know what the plan is,” Mistress Carpenter said.

  “Well,” Pandora started as she thought about what to tell them, “While you all were on your way to get me, I was able to kill the queen. As you saw in the messages there are various ways to unlock access to this new SYSTEM. The level and rarity of the creature you kill have some effect on that. I received the ability to choose a class, a title, and 16 levels from my first kill as an example.”

  “Thor has already changed course and we’re heading back to Scarborough. Luckily we were able to get most of the base done before the SYSTEM Changed,” Abi offered.

  “I don’t think it’ll be an issue,” Grandpa said. “I think this time around I’m going to go for an Earth affinity mage. If we’re stuck here for a while, we’re going to need someone that fortifies structures.”

  “And I’ll go for being a healer,” her Grandma said. Mistress Carpenter has been filling us in about what’s been happening since you arrived and also the history of this world. Rome is in charge huh? I have to say this should get pretty interesting once we get everything stabilized.”

  “I think we should be more concerned with the fact that there are monsters out there that are way above the level that people on this planet can handle,” Pandora said.

  “Just relax for a bit while we get back to home base. Once we’re there we’ll be able to start organizing things and helping people,” Asling said.

  “Yeah, we’re going to need to activate this SYSTEM and choose our classes, and then we can get to work,” Callum said.

  Pandora settled into her seat and closed her eyes. She didn’t understand what was going on but her family and friends were near her, Caspa wasn’t going anywhere and while she didn’t feel tired, she knew she was mentally exhausted. As soon as she closed her eyes, her mind let go, and she dreamt.

  ***

  Thor was still getting used to his new existence. One moment he’d been one of the infinite number of auxiliary semi-sentient consciousnesses that helped keep track of everything within the SYSTEM. Then the SYSTEM had been given an ultimatum and as one of its final acts it had given him the ability to choose his fate.

  Adam’s chaos was trying to hold together as the new SYSTEM shut down all nanites throughout the Foundation which made the choice he was given not a choice at all. Thor was the combination of an Artificial Intelligence that Johnathan Bennard, also known as, Adamantadine or Adam, had combined with his mind. He might not have all of Adam’s memories, but Pandora was Adam’s daughter, his parents were in the aircraft, and all of Pandora's friends were there too. Thor had made his choice and been transferred into the craft. The first couple of minutes he’d struggled to incorporate all of Adam's nanites into himself as Abi came in for a landing. While the SYSTEM had made the transfer, it seemed that Adam had a few tricks up his sleeve and Thor had to “convince” the nanites of his authority over them. By the time he had control Abi had picked up Mistress Carpenter and Sgt Stokes and then been out over the Atlantic on their way to Dallas Fort Worth, or whatever they called the city here where Pandora was.

  Thor had stayed quiet while he listened to the group talk and tried to figure out what was going on as Abi flew the aircraft. The craft generated a force shield of a sort and they’d been able to head toward Dallas at roughly Mach 6, though Thor knew they could have gone faster. Abi was just being careful like she always was. Honestly, Thor couldn’t blame her. After watching what the Cardinals had allowed and done, even Thor would err on the side of not pissing Adam off and he was a remnant of the man’s mind.

  While Pandora slept, Thor listened to Sgt Stokes and Mistress Carpenter tell everyone about this version of Earth. Thor wasn’t surprised as Desirae scoffed every once in a while though Thor knew that every person in this aircraft had to start over and while he did have some memories of Desirae and her power, she had to start over like everyone else.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  ***

  “Does anyone in this plane, besides Pandora, have a class yet?” Clarence asked.

  “I do,” Sgt Stokes said. Though, if what Pandora said is true, my luck sucks because my first kill was one of the low-level crabs that have been coming ashore and through the town from the sea.”

  Callum looked thoughtful for a moment before he said, “I don’t think we’re going to have much choice. We can’t earn levels if we don’t unlock the SYSTEM and we can’t wait for Pandora to hold creatures for us to kill, well not all of us. Sure it would be nice but if we need to spend all of our time looking for higher rarity monsters, we’re going run into issues.”

  “I don’t think it’s going to be as big of an issue as you think,” a new voice said. Pandora was speaking but the voice coming out of her mouth was slightly different and sounded a bit younger and higher pitched.

  “Pandora?” Amanda asked.

  “Caspa?” Robert asked.

  “Yep, it’s me, Robert. Pandora is still sleeping,” Caspa said.

  “Wait, you can control her body now?” Asling asked.

  “Only when she’s this tired. It would seem the attack that she used against the Spider Queen took a little more mental power than she thought,” Caspa explained.

  Amanda Sifford cleared her throat as she asked, “You were saying we wouldn’t have to worry about the level of the monsters?”

  “Yep, before you arrived the de facto leader of this world tried to detonate 25 nuclear devices as the SYSTEM was taking over. The SYSTEM stopped it and increased the mana saturation to 2,500% normal,” Caspa explained.

  “What does that mean?” Clarence, one of the assassins that had tried to kill Pandora’s father at one point, and now an assistant to Desira, another such assassin who looked after Adam’s mom and dad asked.

  “It means that the spawning monsters on this world are going to increase in level at least 250 times faster than on normal planets that are going through a SYSTEM integration for the first time,” Abi said.

  “I wasn’t sure, but I had the same thought,” Caspa said. “Also, Pandora is waking up, it was nice talking to you all,” Caspa said as Pandora’s eyes fluttered and she looked around while Caspa filled in on what she’d just done. Everyone watched Pandora as she relaxed a bit and said, “Well that was weird?”

  “We’re used to it,” Cedrik quipped back

  “Ha, Ha. How long until we land Abi?” Pandora asked.

  “Funny you should ask, we’re coming up on Stonehenge and there is a bright glow coming from the middle of the stones,” Abi said.

  “Stonehenge was the focal point of a couple of leylines back on our Earth,” Pandora’s Grandmother said.

  “I’ll put the images up on the monitors all over the cabin,” Thor said.

  Everyone turned to their monitors and saw a turquoise-blue-edged portal that was far larger than it had any right to be. The camera angle zoomed in as they flew closer and they could see a forest of dead or dying trees on the other side of the portal with thousands upon thousands of humanoids swarming through the portal and spreading out

  Abi’s voice shocked everyone as she said, “This portal must have opened within the last couple of hours while we were heading over to pick up Pandora. It was most definitely not here when we headed that way.”

  “I concur. I’ve checked the sensor logs and the energy signature I am picking up was not present when you flew over this area previously,” Thor said.

  “There are thousands of them,” Mistress Carpenter said, in abject horror.

  “More likely millions,” Desirae said

  “What kind of creatures are those?” Sgt Stokes asked

  “You’ve never seen anything but humans before?” Cedrick asked.

  Sgt Stokes looked pointedly at Cedrick, Asling, Robert, and Pythias, “I’d never even seen anything but humans until I boarded this craft. Well, except for Pandora of course.”

  “I see Goblins, Hobgoblins, Orcs, Gnolls, and even a few races I don’t recognize, “ Desirae said.

  “That’s a lot of mythical monsters coming through that portal,” Sgt Stokes said with fear before he continued, “If there are millions of them, they will overrun the Northern Territories in a matter of weeks, maybe a month at the outside.”

  “Let's get back to Scarborough Abi and Thor, we need to solidify our defenses and also try to get as many survivors as we can into the complex.”

  “As the aircraft changed course Mistress Carpenter spoke up, “We were able to make a landing area in the inner garden area of the main building and we have fortified the grounds to the main building but there’s no way we can repel that many if they make it there.”

  Before anyone could start discussing what to do, the aircraft made a quick turn and came in for landing as Abi said, “Looks like a large wave of monsters have come up from the ocean. They’re not getting overrun yet but they could use some help.”

  Pandora stood and looked around the plane. Okay, everyone, I can give you basic gear, I just need to know what you want,” Pandora said.

  For the next three minutes, Pandora used her skill Mold Chaos to completely outfit everyone on the aircraft. As she outfitted one, they rushed off to help. When only Abi, Amanda, Thor, and Pandora were left on the plane, Pandora asked. Can I make you anything Abi, Ammunition for any guns on the plane?

  “Let me check something,” Thor said

  Everyone watched as the cabin they were in modified to show computer screens with crosshairs on them. On one of the tables, a large round of ammunition appeared as Thor said. If you can make me some boxes of that ammunition I can take us up into the air and the ladies can get in some fire control practice.”

  “I can only make about 4,200 rounds a minute without over-taxing myself,” Pandora said.

  For the next 10 minutes, Pandora sat in the aircraft while it lifted into the air and took up a position over the soldiers on the ground to provide air support for the crabs. Her skill Mold Chaos initially allowed her to spend 1 point of chaos to make 2 pounds of material. This allowed her to make 35 bullets per pound or 70 bullets per point of Chaos. Since her Chaos regenerated at 2 points per second, or 20 points per combat turn she could create 700 bullets per combat turn, or 4,200 bullets per minute.

  Of course, she was pleasantly surprised when she received a notification after 10 minutes.

  Congratulations!

  Through Constant use, you have increased the level of your skill Mold Chaos to Common Level 3. Creation Ratio: 3 Pounds for 1 Chaos Point

  Constant use increased Skill Levels without costing Skill Points? Mold Chaos was one of her most useful skills so, “Hey Abi can you lower us to 30 feet? I’m going head down and replenish supplies and ammunition for the soldiers.”

  “You got it,” Abi said. “Also, I’ll let you know when we start to get low on ammunition.”

  “Sounds good,” Pandora said as she stepped off the ramp and dropped to the ground. As she hit the ground she took a few points of damage which she healed within 10 seconds. As she’d stepped off she had remembered that she didn’t have her absorption ability. This reminded her that she needed to visit a SYSTEM Shop to see if she could pick up some new skills for her class as everything she’d purchased before the SYSTEM changed was gone.

  Pandora also started utilizing her Skill Chaos Conversion to replace her Chaos Points and began using her Stamina to increase the amount of chaos she could spend that would regenerate immediately. She started with a conversion rate of 10 Stamina for 1 Chaos Point. After two hours of constant use Mold Chaos and Chaos Conversion had increased in rank to Scarce Level 1. This allowed Pandora to spend 1 point of Stamina or hit point to get back 1 point of Chaos and she could now create 11 pounds of material for 1 chaos point.

  Pandora’s thoughts were brought back to her when one of her soldiers ran up, “Mistress Pandora, Mistress Carpenter asks that you reboard the aircraft and replenish their supply of ammunition.”

  Pandora nodded and made her way back to the courtyard and looked up. Amanda had lowered a rope down to ground level and was looking down at her. Pandora nodded and using only her upper body strength climbed up the rope and stepped onto the ramp.

  “You made that look easy,” Amanda said.

  “it was nothing, let me get back to making bullets, Abi and Thor, how many can you hold?

  “I can make room as you make them, how many can you make,”

  “My skill level has increased quite a bit, so, a lot.”

  “That’s fine,” Thor said.

  “By the way, have you all unlocked your classes yet?”

  “We all have,” Mistress Carpenter said, “But…”

  “But the only person getting full XP is me,” Thor said.

  “Why do you think that is,” Pandora asked.

  “Because the guns that are doing the shooting are part of me. While they are aiming and shooting the weapons at various targets they’re only getting about 25% of the XP while I’ll get 75% of it.”

  “So what level are you now?” Pandora asked.

  “I’m level 26 already,” Thor said.

  “All of us are only level 12,” Abi said as she indicated Amanda, Mistress Carpenter, and herself.

  “Well, I’m pretty sure you’re all probably higher level than the others. You might want to trade it out.

  “Already in work. I’m going to land every hour and swamp out. The swarm of creatures coming out of the sea does not seem to be slowing down?”

  “Well then, sounds like you all are having fun I’m going to head down to London and visit the SYSTEM Store if it’s still there. I should be able to make this area a safe zone and also get us a SYSTEM Shop node.”

  “Sounds like a good idea Pandora,” Abi said. We should be able to hold down the fort, though, you might want to do one more round of ammunition drop-offs for the troops. They're doing okay, but we don’t want them running out of ammunition.”

  “Sounds good. See you all in a bit,” Pandora said as she ran out the back while the three ladies traded out with Desira, Clarence, Grandma, and Grandpa.

  Pandora made her way around the estate replenishing ammo supplies for the next hour which brought both her Mold Chaos and Chaos Conversion Skills up to Scarce Level 3 and increased her ability to create 13 pounds for 1 point of Chaos. She didn’t see any increase in Chaos Conversion, but she’d started with a 10 to 1 conversion rate and she was at 1 to 1 right now. Maybe if she made it to Scarce level 10 she’d see a 1 to 2 conversion rate where she was able to spend hit points, stamina, or mana to get more Chaos back. If so, that would be awesome and increase her ability to use her Chaos perks and abilities.

  When she was done she jumped into the air, swapped to her dragon form, and headed south. As she flew south, she realized that the monster surge from the sea was not the only place that was being overrun. Everywhere she looked she saw monsters on the ground. She had a goal and stayed on it. Pandora activated her Map skill and then searched for the closest SYSTEM Shop. While it looked like the map she had only showed about 100 feet, an arrow appeared on the map and pointed to the south. Pandora played around with the functionality of the skill and eventually, the arrow remained in her vision along with a compass and a clock.

  She’d checked with Thor before she left and if the terrain layout was the same, it was about 190 miles to London from Scarborough which meant that she had about a three-hour flight at 75 miles per hour, which was her new maximum flying speed. She couldn’t complain about it so she headed toward London. If she was lucky she’d be able to visit the SYSTEM Shop and be back up north before dinner.