Chapter Three:

Beta Quadrant, Sector 187, Pyillos, Pyillos III, Unknown Location.

April 1, 7215

“Good… okay, so as part of the Standard military obligations the great House Nubran will pay for you to receive another 0.1 upgrade to your stats.”

Brandon smirked, and thought, “so they want to get accolades for improving their military forces? I would think it would be a common sense thing to keep us alive. Improving these stats has to be cheaper than growing a new person. Oh wait they are going to make everyone pay for their own growing. Like we have a choice.” A bitter smile crossed Brandon’s face.

“Now on to your military profession. Your scores are extremely good and again I recommend the Titan Jock position. It will come with another 0.1 improvement to your stats, but House Nubran requires all of its Jocks to have a minimum of 1 in all stats.”

“So I can’t do it?” Brandon asked. By his count his total would have been a 0.9. including the extra for being a Jock. He smirked and thought. “No. This is some kind of gimmick. They are playing me.”

“Yes, it is true that with the two bonuses so generously granted by our Lord and Master that your Primary Attributes would only total 0.9. However, in the Earth simulation you earned 252 life points. These points are given by the Verric nanites to all vatborn. They are based upon your simulated Earth life. They can be used to increase your Primary statistics, Secondary Statistics, or skills.”

“there it is.” Brandon thought. “So can you control the nanites?” The knowledge download said the answer was no. But, it was information given by the House so it may not be the truth.

The advisor shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “Uh no. During your bodies creation we can give them certain prods, but ultimately they do as they are programmed. Which is to say they try to bring a certain level of balance to the universe.”

Brandon nodded thinking rapidly, “So these points you mentioned are they assigned by you or the Verric?”

The advisor waved her hand. “it really doesn’t matter.” Here take a look at what the system already recognizes you possessing in the way of Secondary stats, Tertiary stats, and Skills.” She made a couple gestures off screen and a new semitransparent Purple box with Silver lettering appeared in his vision. “This is your Status Sheet. The Verric Nanites calculate it and project the image to your optical nerve. When your born you will be able to bring it up with a thought.”

Name: Brandon Mc’Dew

Race: Human Subrace: Vatborn, Nubran

AgeL18) Gender: Male CR: .54 (.72)( Advancement: (1)

Faction: House Nubran Rank: -

Primary Statistics

Str: - (.9) Dex: - (.9) Agi: - (.9) Vit: - (.9)

Perc: - (.9) Int: - (.9) Res: - (.9) Cha: - (.9)

Secondary Statistics

Marksmanship, Small Arms: 5. Hand to Hand: 3.

Survival, General: 3. Explosives: 2.

Marksmanship, Heavy Arms: 2. Survival, Arid: 2.

Technician, Mechanical, General: 2. Driving, Wheeled: 1.

First Aid: 1. Marksmanship, Sniper: 1.

Sensor, Air: 1. Survival, Sub-Tropical: 1.

Technician, Electronic, General: 1. Technician, Mechanical, Combustion: 1.

Technician, Weapons, Small Arms: 1.

Tertiary Statistics

Morale; 0 Honor: 0 Reputation: 0 Karma: 0

Skills

Language, English:3. Leadership, Small Team: 3.

Running: 3. Art, Sculpting: 2.

Climbing: 2. Communications, Bluff: 2

Language, Russian: 2. Mathematics: 2.

Navigation, Land:2. Strategy, Land: 2.

Swimming: 2. Traditional, Labor: 2.

Art, Acting: 1. Communications, Diplomacy: 1.

Language, Spanish: 1. Navigation, Sea: 1.

Science, Biology: 1. Science, Chemistry: 1.

Science, Physics: 1. Traditional, Commerce: 1.

Traditional, Cooking: 1.

As Brandon looked over the information the advisor continued in a tone of voice that showed she had said these exact words countless times before. “This is just my best guess at your real sheet based on your performance in the Earth Simulation combined with what we have discussed so far. Numbers in parenthesis are the expected total once you are born. From here we can spend your earned points to upgrade your new body, or learn new things. I remind you that although your stats and skills show you have a good value in something that data is 4,000 years out of date. The weapons, tools, and equipment you know are so old they have no place anywhere but a museum.”

Brandon nodded thinking, “Yeah and this is one way they keep us dependent on them. Raise our minds in an age so far back that only the basics transfers over. But some things should be the same or at least close enough.”

“Mr. Mc’Dew, you currently have 254 points. You can spend them with a thought for the next 3 minutes, after which point your body will be set and unspent points will only be usable on skills.”

Brandon frowned, “Wow no time to think this over huh? You said I need at least a 1 in all primary stats for the Titan Jock?”

The advisor nodded.

“How much would that cost?”

“Primary stat increases cost 15 points. Secondary cost 10, and finally skills cost 5. You can look over a full list of known secondary and skills by thinking about it. Do hurry though your time is running out.”

With a thought, he brought up a truly massive list of secondary stats and skills. A note at the top quickly explained the difference. Primary and Secondary stats are calculated to create a person’s CR or Combat Rating. Skills were anything else the Verric decided to track.

Brandon’s mind whirled as all the games he had ever played rushed through his mind. Optimal builds, Power builds, and unusual builds that just worked well for him. “No, this is not a game. This is my new life. I need to think about it that way. There will not be any rerolls if I mess things up.”

Looking over his Status Sheet again his eyes caught on the rank position. “I have a question.”

The advisor just sat there, so he went on. “What is my rank going to be?”

“Oh that will depend on your exact position. You record shows you lead a Ranger Squad with above average results.”

Brandon nodded, “If I plan on spending the points to get my primary stats to 1 and become a Titan Jock?”

“Then you would be given a Titan Platoon. The smallest unit of command. If you prove your leadership during training it would be confirmed and you would be granted the rank of Knight.”

Brandon had no idea what that actually meant, but he had an idea. “As a platoon leader would I get a Primary attribute increase?”

The advisor shook her head, “No only if your Primary did not meet the required level to become a titan jock.

Brandon smiled, “Oh but right now mine do not. So that means you will pay to bring me up to 1, right?”

The advisor’s mouth opened and closed twice. “Well, n…” But, the answer was given for her. To Brandon’s amusement a new box appeared.

Verric dictate -- “Verbal contract enforcement between House Nubran and envitro Brandon Mc’Dew. Judgement in favor of Brandon Mc’Dew. House Nubran will be charged 1.5 million IMC for the costs of upgrading all basic Human primary stats of Brandon Mc’Dew to 1 from the previously agreed upon level of .9.

“Holy shit! So these things really do enforce and regulate even the overlords.” Brandon thought to himself.

The advisor eyes narrowed and her face blushed in rage, but she said nothing just pressed her lips together in a thin line. “Well then. I guess that is determined, but understand that I’m going to note your file of this incident…” She paused then added, “And do not think yourself smooth Knight. 1 is the standard that all House Nubran warrior caste is expected to achieve before they are allowed entry into the armed forces. So all you did is make yourself the equal of the true born.”

Brandon’s eyes twitched at this, “So you intend on the vat born to be less than your ‘true born’?”

The advisor just glared at him. You have 1 minute 58 seconds to confirm the rest of your choices. If you fail to I can revoke everything we have agreed upon up to this point.”

Brandon growled but kept it quiet. He had pushed so far but made sure to keep it in a level he assumed would not end with this bland woman ending his life. After a brief consideration he decided to go ahead and spend the points to improve his Primary stats from 1 to 1.1. After all the house was going to help him get a freebie he might as well improve upon that. Especially, since it seemed that most Trueborn were already genetically perfect. There was no doubt in his mind that most would even be better.

Doing a little quick math he realized he had roughly 134 points left after spending 120 to get his Primary stats to the increased level.

“Okay, I am going to be A Titan Jock. I need to know how to do that, or they will find some way to demote or remove me. It cost 10 points for each level of Secondary and 5 for each other Skill.”

When the Advisor told him 15 seconds with a thinly veiled grin he confirmed his choices. In all he added. 3 Points in Piloting, Titan, Medium, which was the best the system would allow. 2 Points into Gunnery, Ballistic. 1 Point into Gunnery, Missile , and General. He also added 1 to Sensor, Land since it seemed there was a difference between it and the traditional radar/GPS he was used to using. Wanting to give himself more than just one option he also picked up a level of Pilot, Aerospace, Light which covered any small craft that could travel in atmosphere or be crewed by a small group in space. For his last Secondary skill he chose Technician, Small arms with the thought that pointing and shooting a weapon was easy. Especially if you knew how it worked and had a basic familiarity with weapons which he already possessed. Even, if it was outdated.

Next he chose some skills that would help him navigate this new world he found himself in. He picked a level of History, local and system. “It is always good to know the local history.” He got some leaderships skills figuring they may give him an update on any new processes discovered in the last 4000 years. And finally he found something called Protocol, Nobility and chose the Lesser nobility plus increased his diplomacy skill. “If I’m going to be working in a world with modern kings and queens I better know what to do when talking with them. Or, they may Red Queen my ass for some perceived disrespect.”

With a final glance at his updated sheet he confirmed his point allotment with 5 seconds to spare.

Name: Brandon Mc’Dew

Race: Human Subrace: Vatborn, Nubran

Age:18 Gender: Male CR: 0.94 Advancement: 1

Faction: House Nubran Rank: Knight

Primary Statistics

Str: (1.1) Dex: (1.1) Agi: (1.1) Vit: (1.1)

Perc: (1.1) Int: (1.1) Res: (1.1) Cha: (1.1)

Secondary Statistics

Marksmanship, Small Arms: 5. Hand to Hand: 3.

Pilot, Titan, Medium: 3. Survival, General: 3.

Explosives: 2. Gunnery, Ballistic: 2.

Marksmanship, Heavy Arms: 2. Survival, Arid: 2.

Technician, Mechanical, General: 2. Driving, Wheeled, Light: 1.

First Aid: 1. Gunnery, General: 1.

Gunnery, Missile: 1. Marksmanship, Sniper: 1.

Pilot, Aerospace, Light: 1. Sensor, Air: 1.

Sensor, Land: 1. Survival, Sub-Tropical: 1.

Technician, Electronic, General: 1. Technician, Mechanical, Combustion: 1.

Technician, Weapons, Small arms: 1.

Tertiary Statistics

Morale; 0 Honor: 0 Reputation: 0 Karma: 0

Skills

Leadership, Small Team: 4. Language, English:3.

Running: 3. Art, Sculpting: 2.

Climbing: 2. Communications, Bluff: 2

Communications, Diplomacy: 2. Language, Russian: 2.

Mathematics: 2. Navigation, Land:2.

Strategy, Land: 2. Swimming: 2.

Traditional, Labor: 2. Art, Acting: 1.

History, Local: 1. History, System: 1.

Language, Spanish: 1. Leadership, Large Team: 1.

Navigation, Sea: 1. Protocol, Lesser Nobility: 1.

Science, Biology: 1. Science, Chemistry: 1.

Science, Physics: 1. Traditional, Commerce: 1.

Traditional, Cooking: 1.

The Advisor’s mouth twitched slightly in a frown. “Very well. Then Sir knight we are done here. Good day.”

With that the advisor vanished. Leaving only the image of his still forming body as some kind of black cube was being attached to his spine right underneath his skull. Before he could even wonder what it was the world went dark around him again.