Sorcerer… Cyborg???

Chapter 85: Freeman(2)

"Freeman Benefits." Kothar spoke into the Pebble, he felt compelled to register, but something about the device just didn't sit right with him. Especially after the device had rewarded him for contributing his genetic and energy signature, before he had even the slightest idea of how the device worked.

As earlier, the title 'Freeman benefits' appeared, with the blurred text covered by a short message.

"This document is 0 credits. Discounted as part of the essential Pebble Network reading."

Kothar quickly tapped on the blurred section, and a block of text appeared.

"Freemen are afforded a myriad of benefits, the most notable of these is access to a personal interplanar map. Ordinary users must utilize credits to record visited planes, but due to the regular need to travel to and from planes, Freemen are afforded the benefit of recording visited planes at no cost." 

[That doesn't sound bad at all, and along with the spatial artifact, this is something that could be immensely useful.] Silane exclaimed, unlike Kothar, she was still eager to explore new planes. Her research had stagnated within the Alliance, with how limited they had been, ever tethered to Kothar's home galaxy, only travelling further afield to chase down rebels or preemptively attack an invading force. 

"Hold on, let me keep reading.] Kothar hushed the excitable AI, and continued reading. 

"Freemen are able to teleport directly via the Pebble Network's portals, at no cost, in the process of carrying out their missions. Additionally, a Freeman can designate a home plane, within the same cluster as the designated mission, and be returned to the plane upon mission completion." 

[We can use the Pebble portals to extrapolate how to improve your spatial magic, Kothar. I think this sounds amazing.] Silane grew even more excited, if she had a physical body, she would have been bouncing on her feet.

[It sounds almost too good to be true, Silane. Hold on a moment.] Kothar placated Silane and picked up the Pebble again.

"Freeman Drawbacks." Kothar said quietly. The usual display appeared, except now the overlying message was slightly different.

"This document is 400 credits. Discounted as part of the essential Network reading." 

[There you go Silane, why would the benefits document be 0 credits while this one is 400, there has to be something up with this system.] Kothar chided Silane, he had noticed that the AI had gained not only positive human traits like empathy and kindness but had seemed to gain an impulsive and insatiable curiosity along with her new found emotions. 

[Ok, your suspicions were warranted. But let's have a read of this document.] Silane replied, her excitement dwindling..

Kothar tapped on the blurred text to reveal the document.

"Becoming a Freeman is a liberating choice, hence the name. There are no true disadvantages, but for the sake of completeness, the Pebble Network has included some common complaints from past Freemen." Below the first block of text, a number of complaints were listed.

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Once a Freeman, always a Freeman. Can a Freeman be free?

I became a Freeman as a youngling, now my whiskers grey, and I yearn for the stars of my home plane, yet I am stranded far amongst the myriad planes. 

I saw a peerless skill on the marketplace, and became a Freeman to purchase it, yet here I lie, bleeding to death in an unfamiliar land.

I sought adventure and fortune, and found only violence and death. A Freeman's path is fraught with danger. 

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[Well, that was ominous. But the greatest disadvantage seems to be the fact that one can only designate a home plane within the same cluster that a mission is in. I think a cluster would be similar to a galaxy, but with planes rather than stars. As these Freemen carried out missions, they ended further and further from their home planes, with no way to return.] Silane observed, her excitement returning. These supposed drawbacks would be nothing to Kothar. 

[Let me guess, you're going to say that with Spatial Magic, we needn't worry about traversing to new planes.] Kothar said, before Silane continued, he sensed her palpable excitement.

[Of course, we'll easily be skipping to and from planes. And we also have the spatial artifact, come on Kothar, there's no downside.] Silane bubbled.

[And what about the fact that one cannot stop being a Freeman? You think that has no bearing on this?] Kothar sounded terse, he wasn't sure how he felt about this new side of Silane.

[It's just like being a contractor, relax Kothar. And don't think I can't feel your annoyance, I didn't judge you when you messed around with that artifact for the first time, or when you decided to hop into the cell with that madman, Krieg.] Silane complained, and Kothar felt the beginnings of a headache.

[Alright, Silane I'm sorry. Also, I think that having an argument with you inside my head would quite probably cause it to burst open, so let's not repeat this in the future. I won't be so reckless any more Silane, it was just that I wasn't used to the raw emotions of my growing body.] Kothar navigated back to the main menu of the Pebble, ready to register.

[Speaking of raw emotions] Silane's voice took on a teasing tone.

[No. We are not having that conversation, just forget you noticed anything, please.] Kothar pleaded with the AI. He had never expected that after being reborn, his ever trustworthy AI would torment him like this.

[Hahahaha, did I embarrass the great Commander Kothar? If only your men could see you now, embarrassed over a passing infatuation. It's not such a big deal, sh-] Silane chuckled, continued teasing Kothar, but hr cut her off.

[It was a hormonal response, Silane. Just leave it there, please.] Kothar sighed out loud, he knew that it would be brought up again, especially if they returned to Eclat.

[Fine, let's get this over with.] Silane decided she would save her teasing for later.

Kothar tapped on the third option, 'Register as a Freeman.' Even after his conversation with Silane, a pit of unease remained in his stomach.