"Embrace your doubts, but let your passion guide the way." – Professor Williams
Trish
Within the tech-laden trash compound, Trish often lost all sense of time. Surrounded by remnants of power and ingenuity, she stood amidst a history of technology—some older than the concept of time on Earth, yet still eons beyond anything humanity had ever dreamed of. Sutt often spoke of these marvels, emphasizing that technology was neither "old" nor "new," but markers of history itself. Civilizations rose, thrived, and fell. Technologies were created, merged, and eventually lost. The most extraordinary inventions faded into obscurity, forgotten across the passage of eons.
Databases and Cosmos-wide mapping shared many advancements, but these were usually technologies that could be sold or traded. The true treasures—the creations that could save lives or unlock unparalleled potential—were closely guarded. Why would anyone freely share technology that merged with their affinities and elevated their skills? Such secrets were power. Sharing them could equip rivals with the tools of your success. This secrecy left a legacy of lost knowledge, with breakthroughs becoming artifacts of generations long past.
The oldest equipment, from a time known as the "First Generation," dated back to the emergence of the earliest galaxies. None who lived during that time were believed to exist anymore, though fragments of their technology occasionally resurfaced. According to Sutt, many had succumbed to time, while others were claimed by "the Unbinding"—a phenomenon Trish noted to ask Williams more about during their next meeting. Sutt contended that those who surpassed A-Class talents were forcibly expelled from existence.
The scale of these revelations left Trish reeling. Sutt explained that each generation spanned tens of billions of years, placing them in the 17th Generation. The sheer magnitude of time made her head spin, and she shelved her questions about the System's age for another day.
Generations adhered to recurring themes—cycles Trish had started to understand. The first cycle marked the creation of energy-reliant tools to complement existing skills and talents. These foundational devices became instrumental in empowering individuals. The second cycle built upon this, with tools evolving into integral components of progress. Heroes of this era pushed the boundaries, unlocking new potential through innovation. The third cycle took reliance further. Technology enhanced energy and began dictating its flow, subtly shifting control from user to tool. By the fourth cycle, dependency peaked. Talents withered, and the art of energy building was forgotten, leaving civilizations stagnant. The cycle then resets, beginning anew with rediscovery and rebuilding.
For many planets, these patterns explained their rejection of advanced technology. The Zar’Keth tribes, for example, were tech-averse, rooted in the earliest phase of the first cycle. They chose preservation over progress, valuing mastery of innate abilities over fleeting technological power.
Trish clung to hope, knowing her bracelet originated from a third cycle, an era where the harmony of power and technology had reached its zenith. As dawn approached, she continued tinkering with the device she had discovered earlier. By embedding Nex within her bracelet, they revealed a vast network of nodes waiting to connect. After Emy departed with the Northerners, Trish set out to locate one such node.
An hour passed before inspiration struck—to send a ping through the device. Moments later, Nex illuminated a faint signal buried in the grass. Digging carefully, Trish unearthed a spherical metal object no wider than a blade of grass. As she brought it closer to her bracelet, the sphere seemed to disintegrate, reshaping itself into the device with no visible seams. Guided by Nex and channeling her Will, Trish worked backward through its structure, effortlessly reconstructing the metal ball and catching the newly formed object in her palm.
As Trish brought the ball closer to her chest for a better look, her hand accidentally nudged the metal against her leather jacket. To her astonishment, the ball appeared to melt once more, this time subtly fusing with one of the jacket’s front buttons. She stared in bewilderment, questioning why it would bond with something as mundane as clothing—until Nex spoke.
"Whoa!" Nex’s voice rang sharply in Trish’s mind, his tone laced with surprise.
“What just happened?” Trish asked aloud, her confusion mirrored in her thoughts. "Did it do something? Is something wrong?"
"If by 'wrong' you mean highly irregular, then yes," Nex replied, his voice calm but focused, as though preoccupied with calculations. "This tech is anything but ordinary."
"So… that’s a good thing?" Trish pressed, her patience thinning. "Nex, I know the others roast you for being cryptic, but seriously, stop dodging. What’s going on?"
"Alright, alright! My bad," Nex said, his tone lighter now, though still tinged with an almost mechanical excitement. "This device—it’s like a direct upgrade to my system. I’m learning to integrate with it on the fly… recalibrating… almost there… NOW!" He paused for a moment, then his voice returned, this time with a curious edge. "Trish, how would you like to see the genetic makeup of this jacket?"
"The what now?" she muttered, confused, as her vision was suddenly flooded with a glowing interface. Details cascaded into view, flowing like a data stream being directly downloaded into her consciousness. Nex had projected a vivid mental image of the object into her mind, rendering every aspect with crystalline clarity. Moments later, new text materialized across her vision, pulling her further into the revelation.
Item: Modified Letterman’s Jacket
- Material Composition:
- Leather Content: 62% (Derived from synthetic-treated cowhide with reinforced fibers for durability.)
- Wool Content: 35% (Highly processed, with negligible organic markers remaining.)
- Synthetic Threading: 3% (Polyester-blend for seams and lining)
- Energy Resonance: Medium (Materials exhibit a moderate ability to channel energy flows.)
- Affinity Alignment: Medium (Leather’s natural origin slightly boosts compatibility with energy-related skills.)
- Shield Properties:
- Base Shield Coverage: 10% (Localized protection with moderate kinetic dispersion.)
- Shield Expansion Potential: 20% max (Limited by low-energy absorption coefficient of materials.)
- Durability: 98% (High resistance to wear, reinforced by synthetic and leather components.)
Analysis Notes:
- Wool fibers show minimal degradation, indicating an age of over three months.
- Wool’s low energy conductivity limits augmentation potential, though leather components exhibit moderate compatibility with defensive energy patterns.
- Leather’s structure offers significant potential for energy weaving, enabling tailored shield enhancements when paired with affinity threads or imprints.
"The node is pulling all this detail for you?" Trish asked, amazement in her voice.
"Yes, well, I had to modify my neural network architecture to better interpret and integrate the feedback from the node. This involved applying algorithmic improvements to enable it to join and render within a user interface that we can understand."
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"So that's why this thing was just thrown out? Nex, without you, this thing might as well be a proximity scanner," Trish mused. "So wait, can you analyze one of the materials further?” Trish asked, still processing the information.
“Right-o, will do!" Nex exclaimed with enthusiasm.
Item: Modified Letterman’s Jacket – Leather Components
- Material Composition:
- Chrome-tanned cowhide leather
- Atomic Breakdown:
- Carbon: 60%
- Oxygen: 25%
- Hydrogen: 10%
- Nitrogen: 5%
- Collagen Structure:
- Peptide Bonds: Stable (97% integrity detected)
- Cross-Linking Agents: Chromium-tanning level: High
“Holy… shit,” Trish muttered. “All this... for a letterman’s jacket?”
“Well, I think this may be related to your tech affinity—reading and processing some of those inputs. I am not even sure you need this text, based on how your mind reacted and consumed this new detail. But yes,” Nex replied. “Your jacket now holds a supercomputer woven into its components.”
“You’re telling me I have access to read/write this thing? Like, connect to any non-tech items?” she asked.
“Read/Write? That’s such silly 21st-century jargon. You have build capabilities super enhanced by a molecular analyzer,” Nex quipped.
From that moment, Trish was utterly consumed, embedding her bracelet nodes into every object she encountered. Experimentation became her obsession—relentlessly testing, tweaking, and unraveling their core mechanics. Meals went untouched; friendships faded into the background. Her thirst for truth was now uncontained, driving her beyond all limits. This bracelet was her key, her path.
New Item Detected - OmniBand
This bracelet is a fusion of advanced computer nodes and adaptive technology, capable of bonding seamlessly with any object—be it mechanical, organic, or something in between. Once embedded, it unlocks the item's genetic blueprint, enabling atomic-level manipulation to mold and reshape matter to the user’s will. Acting as an extension of its wearer, the bracelet harmonizes with their unique talents and abilities, transforming inputs into precision-driven outcomes.
***
Frank, James, Nadia & Tuck
"It’s probably a good thing we haven’t officially named her Bertha yet," Frank remarked at the breakfast table, addressing Tuck, whose Warhammer, battered and void-stricken, rested beside the bench where a smaller group of the team had gathered to start the day.
The group was sparse due to Trish and Will’s absence. Trish had spent the night at the Junkyard but revealed few details, while Will chose to attend an early morning training session with Steel. During a previous breakfast, Will had announced his participation in the night watch program—a rotation of warrior guild members who patrolled the city walls and sometimes ventured into the surrounding forest. Although he continued to work in the fields with Tuck most mornings, his new role required him to be away twice a week, leading him to engage in post-watch sparring sessions to release the tension from prolonged vigilance with little action.
"I still don’t think she’ll ever be called Bertha. Why are you assuming my weapon is a ‘she,’ anyway?" Tuck asked, arching a brow.
"Do you doubt my expertise in the ways of the Smithy? That thing practically radiates feminine power," Frank quipped, his tone laced with humor, yet his voice carried absolute conviction.
Tuck, choosing not to delve deeper into the odd turn of the conversation, shifted the focus. "Do you think she has a path forward...to be rebuilt?" he asked, a hint of optimism creeping into his voice. Yet, in truth, he was already wrestling with the challenge of letting the weapon go.
"Surge," Frank replied, his tone turning smug. It was the voice he reserved for discussions of weaponry or scouting with James. "That beauty has only shown a fraction of her potential. I was just giving you time to grieve before offering to work on her again. Trust me—the team at the Smithy and I will breathe new life into this baby."
"Wait, are you officially working at the Smithy now?" Nadia asked, her voice filled with hope.
"Well...no," Frank admitted, only for James to interject.
"Forge, you need to—" James started, but Frank interrupted.
"I know! I can already sense the head girl’s opinion of me shifting. Just last night, she turned slightly to the side, giving me a better view from the entryway."
"Forge—" James tried again.
"And Smitha at the mines? Oh, she’s been returning my thumbs-ups lately," Frank continued without pause. "Granted, she’s using a different finger, but hey, progress is progress. I doubt customs like that vary much across galaxies!"
"That doesn’t—"
"AND once I have something of our own to work on, I think I’ll integrate better with the team!" Frank finished triumphantly.
James sighed, contemplating whether Elric’s intervention was necessary. Frank had been trying to integrate for months, but results were...debatable.
"I think it’s a great plan, Forge," Nadia chimed in.
"THANK YOU, Kama," Frank replied, shooting a pointed look at James before turning back to Tuck for a response.
"Forge… You and Glitch created her—I just hope we can restore her to her original form," Tuck said, handing the weapon over. Frank cradled the metal reverently, his eyes fixated on the Celestium.
"Oh, she’ll be back," Frank murmured, his gaze steady. The rest of the group watched him in silence.
"Is he going to be okay?" Kael asked, breaking the quiet as the group realized their smallest member was still present.
"Forge gets...eccentric when it comes to weapons. Weapons and food," James said with a grin.
"Forge, you’re a little weird," Kael added, "but I’m on your side—and Kama’s—regarding the Smithy team. Word is, they’re starting to take notice of you."
Frank’s eyes lit up. "YES!" he roared, punching the air in triumph.
"Kael, do you know this head Smithy’s name? It’s driving me nuts, calling her ‘head girl,’" Nadia asked.
"Well, yeah, it’s—"
"NO!" Frank shouted, abruptly cutting Kael off. His outburst of yeses and nos had drawn several stares. "Uh, sorry. I might’ve gotten a bit loud."
"Might’ve?" Tuck teased, smirking.
"I have to earn her name. I can’t find out like this," Frank insisted.
"Can’t you just pretend not to know?" Tuck questioned.
"Well, yes, but no..." Frank faltered, firmly concluding, "No, I can’t pretend. It wouldn’t work."
"I’m with Forge on this. He’s like a human lie detector—his energy makes it obvious," Nadia said with a smile before pivoting to a more complex subject. "Grace, have you had any luck tracking down Fury?"
"Oh... well, I think we’ve made some progress,” James replied, returning her smile as a bird-like figure glided overhead, its screech piercing the air.
"SPILL!" Frank demanded as James filled the group in on Rose’s new Radiant Phase ability.
"That’s incredible, Rose!" Nadia exclaimed, glancing skyward, only to hear a sharp screech nearby. "Kreeeee!" Rose perched on James’ shoulder, puffing her chest out proudly. James tried not to flinch at the bird’s impressive weight.
"Hello to you, too!" Nadia said with a laugh. "It’s amazing—I only sensed her presence moments before she landed."
"And the energy trail is subtle," James added proudly. "You’d have to watch the area directly to notice anything while she uses the skill."
As the team admired Rose’s growth, a softer, uncertain voice broke through the moment. "Grace, would you..." Kael began, his words faltering as if caught on the weight of what he was about to ask. He took a shaky breath before continuing, "Would you also help look for my sister, Sansa?"
"Of course," James responded without hesitation, his tone steady yet gentle. He allowed Kael the space to gather himself before speaking again. "Have you heard anything from her?"
"No..." Kael replied, his voice subdued, barely above a whisper. "My father keeps me tied to the village for any exchanges with the Northerners. He restricts me—but I’ve found ways to hear things, even if they’re only scraps," he admitted, his shoulders tense. "Before she left..." His voice broke slightly as he paused, searching for the right words, as though the memory carried too much pain.
"Kael, anything you can share will help us find her and bring her back," James said, his voice firm with encouragement.
Kael nodded, though his gaze remained fixed on the ground. "My sister..." He hesitated again, his words laden with guilt. "The night before she left, she said goodbye to me. She told me she had to find a place where her talents would be valued. A place that sought the possibilities this world could offer. We drove her away. Her people turned their backs on her while terror consumed the North. We did nothing," he confessed, his voice breaking with emotion. "Please, find her. Tell her...tell her that her brother finally understands why she left. That she still has family here. She’ll always have family here."
The group sat in heavy silence, Kael’s words hanging in the air like a solemn vow. James finally spoke, his tone resolute but softened by compassion. "She will soon find a friend in Fury—and in time, she’ll find friends in all of us. I promise you that."