《The Cycle War》 Chapter 1 - System Assimilation Three Hours Before the System *Ring Ring* The door jingled as John walked into the Caf¨¦. His eye¡¯s bleary from lack of sleep wandered until the locked on the Girl sitting behind the Counter. He Stumbled forward, dropping his Bag at an Empty table until he Collapsed in front of the Counter. ¡°John, good to see you, your usual?¡± This sight was common in the Cafe, he had been coming in here for months, nearly a year now every day and did the same thing every single time he came in. It honestly was no surprise that she had been told about him, especially considering who her Boss was. A Massive figure loomed over the counter, his uniform bulging as he squeezed into a space not designed for someone of his Bulk. Quincy Gordenson, owner and Manager of the ¡°Gorden Caf¨¦¡±, and a longtime friend of Johns, shook his head at the Familiar sight. Straining John looked at Quincy, his bleary face paling further as he saw who was behind the counter with the Barista. ¡°Hey Quincy, how¡¯s it going?¡± ¡°What was it this time? Gaming or work?¡± ¡°Work, I was up all night¡± Quincy Harumphed before turning to the Barista and handing her the Drink he had made. ¡°Put this on his tab, those little stickie notes next to the Register.¡± The Barista, Shannon, flushed and quickly marked another line amongst the hundreds on the Sticky note as she handed John his drinks. Just as he was starting to stumble to his table, everything froze as a massive surge of Energy blasted everything, cracking the windows with its force. THROOOOOOOOMMM *ATTENTION RESIDENTS OF EARTH, THIS IS THE SYSTEM SECURITY COUNCIL. YOUR STELLAR SYSTEM HAS BEEN RATED AND DEEMED ADEQUATE FOR ASSIMILATION* The voice filled the air, coming from everywhere and nowhere in the silence that filled the caf¨¦. It wasn¡¯t speaking a Human Language, but everyone who could hear it understood it anyways. *PLEASE STAND BY WHILE THE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS AND BRIEFS ARE MADE* John was standing there, frozen midstumble, but he had still been looking back at the Counter when everything stopped. So, he didn¡¯t miss it as Shannon, the Awkwardly Cute Barista Quincy had told him about, dissolved into Dust. *PLANETARY POPULATION HAS BEEN RATED AS ¡°MASSIVE¡±, REMOVING EXCESS POPULATION* *POPULATION MEETS BASE PARAMETERS FOR ASSIMILATION. ASSIGNING ASPECT PATHS* John felt it then, even as he was struggling to comprehend what had just happened in his sleep deprived state, a chilling cold like ice water filling his veins, starting from the soles of his feet and working up his body until¡­ John started feeling good, as if everything was going to be okay, he could still feel the cold invading his veins but, suddenly, it didn¡¯t matter anymore. Just like Shannon didn¡¯t matter anymore and He could just forget about what happened to her. *ASPECTS ASSIGNED. RESETTING PLANETARY SEED FOR NEW PARAMETERS* John was starting to get excited now, like a jolt of Caffeine had just hit his Brain. Sure, he couldn¡¯t move but this was just like the books he always read. The Ones where the MC would get super OP from exploiting the System and get the coolest stuff. He was so caught up in his Fantasies that he almost missed it as the ground started Shaking and the Mountains that he could see through the window started moving. When the Ground stopped shaking, he did notice as the Lights went out, leaving the Caf¨¦¡¯s only illumination the sunlight coming through the glass Panel Windows. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. *PLANETARY SEED RESET. NEW BIOMES NEW MONSTERS DETECTED. RE-EVALUATING PLANETARY RATING* John stood there, still frozen, for what seemed like hours as whoever was controlling all this came to a Decision. *PLANETARY FINAL RATING REQUIRES JUDGEMENT, STELLAR SYSTEM TO UNDERGOE BLOCKADE UNTIL FINAL JUDGMENT CAN BE MADE* *LET THE SYSTEM JUDGE THE VICTOR* Whatever force was holding him released then, and he fell down to his Knees in the Middle of the Caf¨¦, before speaking in an awed voice. ¡°Holy Shit, I think we just got Invaded by Aliens¡± This started the remaining Patrons of the Caf¨¦ to start Muttering, their concern starting to grow as they muttered. ¡°Did we really just get invaded by Aliens?¡± ¡°Where did the Mountains go?¡± ¡°Holy shit that¡¯s a big rat outside¡± ¡°Where did Dina go?¡± A Massive form made its way next to him and kneeled down, bringing Quincy eye Level with John. His eyes were gleaming as he put his hand on Johns¡¯ shoulder before speaking. ¡±Dude, we just got ¡°System¡¯d¡±. Do you know what this means?¡± ¡°Its Gamer time¡± ¡°Yes Dude, Its Gamer Time.¡± John Stood up, dusting his legs off before grabbing his Backpack from where he had put it before ordering the Coffee. Quincy went behind the Counter, grabbed a large duffel Bag and slung it on his Back before going to the Center of the Caf¨¦ and speaking to the Remaining Patrons. ¡°Ladies, Gentlemen, as you could hear, we just got Invaded by Aliens. It looks like the power is out right now, so I ask that you take care when Heading home. I am closing the Caf¨¦ until further notice; I suggest you all head home and learn how to exist in our New Existence. I hope to see you all Again here at Gordens Caf¨¦ when we Reopen sometime in the Future.¡± With that, he gently began Escorting the Patrons out. His smile never wavering as he Firmly but Gently prodded them out. Holding the Door for the last one, an Old Grandma carefully creeping out on a rocker, he Locked the door behind her before turning to John. ¡°Well now, how about checking it out. They kept on saying ¡°System¡± when they were giving all those announcements, you want to bet that there¡¯s a status?¡± John laughed and shook his head, before reaching into his Bag and pulling out a New Notebook he was going to break in at class later before the System. ¡°I¡¯m not taking that bet, that¡¯s a straight up trap. Here, lets take notes with this Notebook.¡± ¡°STATUS¡± ¡°STATUS¡±
NAME: JOHN LEWIS ASPECT: TECHNOLOGIST CLASS: [INITIATE] STATS [LOCKED] PERKS [LOCKED]
NAME: QUINCY GORDENSON ASPECT: ANARCHIST CLASS: [NON-COMBATANT] STATS [LOCKED] PERKS CIVILIAN - Monsters are less likely to notice you when presented with an threat
Chapter 2 - Non-Combatants ******* NAME: JOHN LEWIS ASPECT: TECHNOLOGIST CLASS: [INITIATE] STATS [LOCKED] PERKS [LOCKED] ******* NAME: QUINCY GORDENSON ASPECT: ANARCHIST CLASS: [NON-COMBATANT] STATS [LOCKED] PERKS CIVILIAN - Monsters are less likely to notice you when presented with an threat ***** John and Quincy both looked at their STATUS and glanced at each other, then they spoke in Unison. ¡°What the Fuck?¡± ¡°I have the Initiate class, but everything is Locked?¡± John said with a Whine ¡°You think that¡¯s bad? I¡¯m a Non-Combatant¡± Quincy Scoffed as he gestured to his Muscular Physique. Both of them huddled in a Stall and wrote out what they saw on their STATUS and tried to figure out what it all meant. They sat together until the Daylight started fading from view and they couldn¡¯t see the Notebook clearly anymore. ¡°So, here¡¯s how our situation is¡± Stated Quincy ¡°I¡¯m a Non-Combatant apparently, I have a skill that makes Monsters less likely to notice me IF, and this is a big if, there is something else to distract them. That mean¡¯s two things, one, I likely cannot help much in a fight without Major Repercussions, and two¡­ there¡¯s definitely Monsters about.¡± John sat there dejectedly, head held in his hands as he tried to see the notebook in the Darkness. He looked up at Quincy, barely able to see him in the Moonlight and his tiredness was plain in his voice. ¡°I don¡¯t even know where to begin, it¡¯s not like there¡¯s a prompt on what to do now. What do you want to bet that when the sun rises tomorrow most of the urban structures are going to be torn down by plants? You know that they made me read the book on Urban Abandonment and what happens when cities are abandoned. First, it¡¯s the Plants, then the Animals, or in this Case Monsters.¡± John sighed and continued ¡°Did you forget that half the people in here VANISHED? They got snapped out of existence, and we were too high on the System to notice? I¡¯m still feeling it, feeling that Icy chill inside me, doing things.¡± They both sighed then, and slumped in the Booth they were using for their planning session. ¡°I expect things will be clearer tomorrow, whatever the System is doing should be finished by then and we will know what¡¯s going on by then. The local Authorities should have figured things out by then too, maybe we will have power too, who knows.¡± Quincy groaned and stretched his back as he crawled out of the Booth ¡°Here, there¡¯s a back room where we can sleep, it¡¯s got blankets and everything. It should be safe, used to be a Walk in Freezer so its reinforced.¡± John followed Quincy to the room, finding a well-stocked Panic Shelter complete with two Bunks and what looked like years of food. Raising an Eyebrow at Quincy¡¯s sheepish face, they tried to light up the room in the darkness, eventually managing to scrounge a lantern that lit the room in a weak light before Quincy sealed the door so they could sleep. John lay there, staring at the ceiling until Quincy¡¯s snores started filling the room. Turning over he blew out the Lantern and then stared into the Darkness, trying to figure out how he would fit into the new reality. ***OVERSEER STATION X-33A74X IN ORBIT OVER EARTH*** WARNING ¨C THERMAL COOLING NEARING MAX CAPACITY ENGAGE EMERGENCY COOLING SYSTEMS What is the Cause of the Thermal Overload RESPONSE ¨C COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS STRUGGLING DUE TO DATA OVERLOAD Cause of the Data Overload? RESPONSE ¨C INITIALIZATION SYSTEM OVERLOADED DUE TO HIGH USE ESTIMATED 3 TERRAN DAYS TO PLANETARY BRIEF COMPLETION QUERY ¨C ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR COMPLETION? If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Confirmed, allocate 50% of unused capacity until Crisis averted, send Report to Administrator CONFIRMATION ¨C 50% CAPACITY ALLOCATED FROM TRADE MONITIRING SYSTEM DUNGEON GENERATION ENVOY SYSTEMS . .. ¡­ THERMAL COOLANT SATISFACTORY ESTIMATED COMPLETION 6 TERRAN HOURS CRISIS REPORT UPLOADED TO ADMINISTRATION NET Query, Planet Status? RESPONSE ¨C PLANET STATUS PLANET DESIGNATION : EARTH PLANET CODE : 4561727468 PLANET RANKING : UNDESIGNATED PLANET ASPECT : UNDESIGNATED POPULATION : 3,543,424,345 THREAT LEVEL : RISING STATUS : BLOCKADED, AWAITING JUDGMENT Query, Available Assets? RESPONSE ¨C ASSIGNED ASSETS FOR DUTY 5X DRONE STRIKE SQUADS 2000X STERILE CORES [IN STASIS] DIPLOMAT ¡°Jinngle Berries¡± DIPLOMAT ¡°O¡¯ve Stronghammer¡± COMMUNICATION LINK ACCESS Query, Establish Commlink with Manasworn Station REPONSE ¨C INITIATIONG COMMLINK REMINDER ¨C OVERSEER IS NOT TO ENGAGE IN DIRECT WARFARE REMINDER ¨C THAT INCLUDES PHYSIC ATTACKS AS PER ¡°Gold Leaf Valley Accords¡± ¡°Greetings follower of the Circuit Path, I am Navosh, Disciple of the Thrice Born Court. To whom do I have the Displeasure of working against this Cycle?¡± The Overseer rubbed its eyes, even if it hadn¡¯t had to in centuries it was an habit it had never removed. ¡°Greeting Follower of Fallen Gods, I am Quark, Centennial Overseer, I have been activated to engage in Diplomacy with you. As per System Regulation, I must confirm your vow to not engage in Direct warfare, to enforce the Stellar System Blockade, and the accept the ruling of the Planet.¡± The being on the other side of the screen, what could only have been described as a zombie elf to the people on the Planet, harrumphed at the direct question. Rolling its eyes, it spoke ¡°I, Navosh, do affirm my Vow to the System, that in return for my acting as Cycle Overseer, to not Engage in Direct Warfare with the Technologist Aspect Faction, To Enforce the Stellar Blockade, and to Accept the Rulings of my designated Planet. There, are you satisfied? Really, we are both to old for this kind of Petty Mistrust.¡± Quark shook its head, the faint sound of actuators whirring as it did. ¡°We both know the Penalty upon violating these Vows, and we know the Procedure the System Enforces. As the Manasworn faction attempts to lawyer 58% of the time the system currently requires your Overseers to reaffirm their vows in hopes that you shall not attempt to bypass them. If you have a complaint, please take it up with the Local Administrator. End Communication¡± The Display shut off, then flashed back into a live view of the Earth from the Station. Quark extended a hand, noticing how slow its systems were running after being in Stasis for so long. Staring at the view of the Earth it spoke to itself, ¡°Three Millennia since last a planet with this much development was introduced to the System.¡± It scoffed ¡°As if we would need to cheat here, we already have such an Advantage with their level of technology. However, who knows how this will go, as they say here, never count your chickens until they hatch¡­¡± Request, Require Maintenance on Overseer Avatar Systems CONFIRMED ¨C MAINTENANCE WILL BE PERFORMED TO RETURN AVATAR TO 100% FUNCTION The Overseer nodded, soon it would be able to show these Primitives what True Technology looked like. A thought came to it then, a nagging data stream, and it quickly sent of another request to the Station AMI. Query, Search Database for all files, include scanned files from Terran ¡°Internet¡± CONFIRMED ¨C INITIATING DATABASE SEARCH, INPUT TARGET PARAMETER Look for¡­ Chickens?