January 26, 2019, 2:49 pm.

The table doesn't really look like an access point for a super-secret Citizen Mission Control Centre, but I guess that's kind of the point. If anything it looks like a well made wooden table I might find in a second-hand store under half-a-dozen equally nice but boring chairs.

Demo isn't handling the new furniture with as much aplomb as the rest of us. He's limping back and forth, working on his third toothpick. It's only been a few seconds, but he keeps snapping them the moment he puts one in his mouth.

'Snap.'

And that's four.

"Perhaps you should take a walk in the garden while we investigate this," Roberts suggests, breaking Demo out of his fugue.

"No. There's no way yeh're using this... thing... without me. I just need a moment."

Well, since we're waiting anyway, I order a meal from the menu while allowing Smoulder to hop onto the table.

The food arrives moments later and Demo stares at me as I dig in, though Rufka and Rose decide now's a good time to resume the game of "how much food can Alexis keep."

Answer. Not enough.

As my second plate floats out Demo finally sits down, ready to use the table.

But at this point we're all eating, so he's forced to wait.

Once we're all finished our late lunch, we return our attention to the table.

"Should we be using this without Beth and Tipan?" I ask, now that I'm giving the table actual thought. "I should probably contact them and let them know about it at least, right?"

Part of me wants to reach out to Wyonna too. But I'm still worried about her latent Forerunner programming. Which is another thing I need to discuss with the others.

"Agreed. This is a rather obtrusive addition. It would be best the other's are informed before we investigate it further."

"It's like something out of one of the stories. Like when Merlin created the round table," Rose gushes excitedly.

"Uh. Did Merlin create the round table?" I ask. Is that where it came from?

"I don't know. Probably. He was an alien wizard, so he totally could have."

"Merlin wasn't an alien," I snort.

Rose leans over the table, raising his eyebrows as he asks, "How can you be so sure? He was a being with mysterious powers whose origin was unknown."

"Well, yeah. But…"

We spend the next ten minutes eating, joking and arguing over whether or not Merlin was an alien. When it becomes apparent we're just repeating the same arguments, I cut Rose off with an "Agree to disagree?"

"But you're wrong," he sulks out.

"Yeah. But I don't actually care that much," I admit with a shrug. "Sometimes it's just fun to argue."

"Did you contact the others yet?" Roberts inquires, to which I nod. When Rufka interjected to ask just who Merlin was, I took the opportunity to reach out to Tipan, explaining what little we knew of the unexpected table. Unsurprisingly, Beth's response was that we should wait to investigate the table together. This is exactly what I relay to Roberts before adding, "you know, we really should have everyone purchase the chat function."

"Indeed. I didn't want to spend essence on it unless it was an emergency though. Now that we have so many points from quest completion, it'll be one of the first things I purchase."

"And that's another thing!" Demo barks out. "The System gave me quest rewards for helping with a quest when I wasn't even there. Straight up bribery, I tell yeh."

"Are you complaining about System rewards," Raz asks, one of his scaly eye ridges raised as he dissects a crunchy meal of what I had thought were little black bugs but turned out to be blackened tubers when I analyzed them. Like putting french fries in the oven then forgetting about them until your daughter comes home from work an hour later than usual. If my cooking skill is zero (which is what it still says on my status screen), I'm pretty sure my mom's is in the negatives.

"The System keeps trying to convince me to trust it. I've reasons not to."

"Oh? You mean other than the fact it tracks our every movement and changes our very being?" Raz asks casually as he takes another crunchy bite.

"It's not just the System. It's who controls it. Ever been around when one the Creators stroll through? Of course, yeh haven't, because yeh'd be dead or mindwiped if yeh had."

"What do you know about the Creators?" Raz asks, setting his spoon to the side while giving Demo his undivided attention. Honestly, I think he's got everyone's attention. This is the closest he's come to explaining his distrust of the System since we met him.

Demo pauses as he considers Raz carefully before pulling his toothpick out of his mouth to point at him. "Enough to know they'll wipe out a world just because it rejects their precious little System."

"Wait, you can reject the System?" Roberts asks.

"What do yeh think happens if you scale up those mana disruptors yeh found? No mana, no System."

"Could they be used to shield a world from mana? Like, say an incoming mana swarm?" I ask, thinking back to my vision of Science World being obliterated in a single strike.

"Depends on the strength of the swarm, but yep, yeh could do it."

"What our nine-tailed friend here fails to mention is that you'd need massive disruptors to shield a planet from any but the weakest of mana swarms. At most, you might be able to create protections that would protect against a class-two swarm."

"Really? That's all that Akilo would have needed."

"They must have been hit by a rather weak swarm then. Most swarms don't escape their home systems until they've reached at least class-five."

I can't help but go white as I stare at Raz. I saw the devastation the class-two caused to Akilo. Is what I saw coming to Earth only the beginning? How would we even survive something worse than what happened to Akilo?

Roberts runs his hand through his (much more full than it was a week ago) hair as he asks, "Escape? You make it sound as though these swarms are alive. I thought mana was controlled by the system."

"Ha. No, the System only uses mana once it's settled down into its incubation state. The system then slows it's spread," Raz stops, tossing a couple more black tubers in his mouth before continuing. "At least that's the official story. I'm sure the Phothen would tell you otherwise."

Demo nods at this, fingering one of his grenades. "The System could prevent the swarms from spreading. If it wanted to. There's proof that it can be warded against. This very planet is inside of one of the System's control mechanisms, that's why it's jammed into a pocket dimension."

"Could we use that to stop the swarm coming to Earth? Put it into a pocket dimension?" I ask. I mean, it's a little out of my capabilities at the moment, but a girl can dream.

"Ha. Not likely. Yeh'd need hundreds of years to prepare. And that's if yeh had every technique known to the System itself. It'd be far more likely that yeh'd kill everyone you were trying to save."

"This is all well and good, but if we're not going to be accessing the table any time soon, I have other matters to address. You can reach me through the menu." Raz then plucks his bowl off the table, popping more tubers into his mouth as he weaves through the crowd.

"So, I don't suppose you do have any ideas on how to save our planet?" It's never occurred to me to ask Demo before. But it occurs to me that his people avoid the System. Which seems to include mana swarms. Which means maybe he has an answer.

"Myself? No. But my people would. But we'd have to free ourselves of the System to see them again." His gaze settles on the table. This time his toothpick doesn't snap, but I see it bend slightly. "Which is going to be difficult if the System's keeping a constant eye on us."

"What is it that the System's done to you? You seem to have a personal issue with it," Roberts notes while steepling his fingers in his thinking pose.

Demo laughs, but it's a dark chuckle, empty of mirth, "I suppose I do. It's not just crashing my spaceship and forcefully integrating me. It's… well, I can't tell yeh. Not that I don't wanna. But it's against the rules."

Roberts narrows his eyes. "Your people's rules?"

"Yep."

"And such a responsible user like you wouldn't ever go against your precious Phothen rules, would you?" Rufka demands, her tone unusually sharp. She really hasn't enjoyed Demo ignoring her.

However, unlike his usual dismissals, this time Demo weighs her words carefully, meeting her challenging gaze. "It's more accurate to say I can't. In the same way Alexis can't save her world by placing it in a pocket dimension."

"So, there are ways around these restrictions, they're just effectively impossible?" Roberts asks.

There's a loud thud as Rose drops the bird-leg he was working his way through on the table before exclaiming, "Oh! Like stopping time? Or teleporting through space instantaneously? Or conjuring fire with your mind? Cause before Josh came to Akilo, I thought all of that was… okay, not impossible, but I was sure only aliens could do it. Heck, Kalim felt the same way. Except for the fire thing."

I can't help giggling at Rose's enthusiasm though I'm able to keep it quiet enough only Rufka notices. As I'm giggling, I realize I don't consider Rose to be Josh any more than Beth does. It doesn't help that he has a different face, mannerisms and doesn't even wear the bathrobe. Which I'm pretty sure Beth wouldn't give him anyway. Probably shouldn't bring that up.

"Yeh're actually proving the point. All those things are only possible because this planet's been soaked in mana."

"Wait. That doesn't make sense," I object. "I used magic before I ever came to Akilo. And we don't have a System on Earth."

It's only as everyone stares at me that I realize I haven't told anyone about using magic when I was a kid. Except Wyonna, who already knew. Which reminds me, I want to get Rufka and Roberts alone to talk about Wyonna.

"Yeh used magic without the System?" Demo asks each word carefully enunciated and punctuated by a flick of his toothpick.

"Yes? At least, I think I did. It was years ago."

"Huh." Demo slumps into his chair, his toothpick held idly in one hand as he stares off into space.

"That must have made for an interesting childhood," Roberts remarks.

"Uhh. I suppose you could say that. It was only for a year or so… then I stopped until we came here. Before we arrived here, I would have sworn I imagined it." Almost inaudibly, I add, "I wish I had."

"Ah. I see," Roberts says, reaching across the table to pat my hand for a second before leaning back.

I'm starting to relax when Demo starts asking me questions, mostly variations of "what did it feel like to use magic without the System?" though occasionally he'll throw in something like "and what was your favourite colour?"

I spend ten minutes fielding questions before Rufka interjects on my behalf. "She's said three times that she was just a kid, I don't think she's got whatever answers you're hoping for."

"Right. Yeh're right. It's just... I've never heard of anyone using mana without the System before."

Returning to the table, Raz clears his throat, which produces a high pitched trilling sound, causing Demo to start. With our attention, he grins then says, "Using mana without the System is uncommon, but there have been documented cases of pre-integration species with the capability. I could show you the records."

"That would be… Yes, please. I'd owe yeh a debt."

"Hmm. Well, I think I have something in mind. But we can talk about that later. Wes, I've finished your request." It takes me a solid second to understand Raz is talking to Roberts.

"Indeed? Wonderful," Roberts states, taking several folded bundles from Raz.

At our shared attention, Roberts explains that he's had Raz procure several outfits, each custom fit for him. Rose inquires with Raz about getting some clothes made for him, stating that he's in need of a whole new wardrobe. Which is when he discovers that he doesn't have access to Josh's inventory. Before he can spend time worrying about it, I offer to pay for anything he needs. We certainly have more than enough essence to pay for non-armour rated clothing.

"Thanks, Lex," Rose says as he pulls on the bottom of a black sleeveless vest over his jean-like pants. After discussing several designs with Raz, they managed to find something he could wear now while the rest of his orders are made. "It's pretty weird running around without clothes. Even though Kalim was used to it, it doesn't feel right to me, ya know?"

"No problem Rose."

I'm considering getting something for myself, or maybe Rufka when Beth contacts me letting me know they're on their way back. Less than a minute later, Beth pushes through the busy crowd, Tipan and Genitha talking animatedly just behind her.

"...is only true when using Verthen's standard array series. When using Beltim's revised formations, you'll find that you can reduce essence use by at least twenty percent with any element other than lightning. Hello, kitten."

"Hey, mum."

"I wasn't expecting the Fallen infesting Aethire's streets to be so… orderly. In the stories, they're little better than rabid beasts."

Tipan shudders as she adds, "Seeing them wearing Aetherium equipment while patrolling the streets was… disturbing. Even if they were obeying living officers."

"We've confirmed that Ivicka's not in the capital at least," Beth says as they all settle in. "But details can wait until after we've investigated this table. If it really does offer time dilation, we'd be silly not to use it."

"Wait. That's why you wanted to return so quickly? Why didn't you tell me?" Genitha asks.

"Rather not broadcast it. Raz's place has privacy wards that the streets of Aethire are lacking for some reason."

"Still, I wouldn't have tarried so long if you'd given me a hint of what we were coming to investigate," Genitha notes as she lovingly caresses the edges of the table in front of us.

"So people, anything we need before giving it a shot?"

I order another few platters of appetizers and several full dinners, all of which goes directly into my inventory before confirming I'm ready. If there's time dilation, I'd like to ensure I don't run out of food. Which prompts everyone else to follow suit.

After disappearing enough food to feed a team of lumberjacks for a week, we finally activate the table.

"Citizen Raven Queen has initiated access to Citizen Mission Control Center. Please place your hands in the highlighted position prior to entry.

A pair of handprints light up on the table before me, clearly indicating where I'm supposed to put my hands. Following its directions, I lay my hands on the table.

Would you like to enter the CMCC now? Please note that after time dilation is initialized, access will only be available at thirty-six-minute intervals."

Pausing time, I focus on the sensation as I confirm.

There's a barely visible blue pulse from the table as a familiar shield structure wraps around me. Then I feel myself being drawn forward into the table. Entire walls of runes form a hallway as I'm transported within the table. Then my sense of Raz's bar is lost, replaced by a pervasive dull grey.

We're all sitting in the same positions we were around the original table, but the smooth wooden finish of the original table has been replaced with a matte grey replacement. It's bumpy surface reminds me of one of those non-slip mats as I draw my hands away. The dull white light emanating from the ceiling, reveals that the floors, walls and even the only door is made of the same material.

Beth leads the way through the door down a long hallway, everyone remaining silent. Actually, except for Beth, they all seem queasy. Which I suppose makes sense. If my time sense is working properly, we're experiencing an hour for every minute in reality. It's weaker than my strongest pause, but it's still pretty impressive. Until I realize I can't use my magic. Without access to my magic, I can't do anything worthwhile here. At least not when it comes to improving my skills. Or my Skills.

After ten metres of featureless walls, we arrive at another door. Pushing it open reveals an open space with windows looking out over a vast forest with a large body of water beyond it. There's a blue symbol in the bottom corner that catches my attention. When I focus on it, I'm informed this view is provided by camera eight, Sector B in Builder city Calviwashobb.

Spread throughout the room below the stunning vista are several workstations arranged around the edge of the room with a large round table in the centre.

There's no avatar to greet us or directions on what to do next.

"Okay people. Let's see if we can't find out if the System left us any surprises."

"I believe a temporal chamber such as this is enough of a surprise," Genitha notes while stepping towards one of the workstations.

"Yes. But there's no such thing as a no-strings gift."

I don't say it, but I'm pretty sure the System's already getting what it wants from us. At least that's what the detailed scan of Rose on the workstation in front of me seems to hint at.

But not as clearly as the list indicating everything else the System wants scanned. And the rewards listed next to each one.

Well, at least I know that it's not just interested in the pu'shaha.

But where the hell am I going to find a two-storey tall teddy bear with gatling guns on its shoulders?