The captain approached the hologram. “Put the Crimson Catchers on alert. The task is to capture two dozen of the best-rated players of this world alive and unharmed.” He poked a sharp finger at Earth’s image. “I authorize the launch of the combat analyzer.”
One of the Homo-3s said, “Captain, this is strictly forbidden! Violation of ancient laws can negatively affect our clan rating…”
The captain angrily glanced at his subordinate. “Screw that! I don’t care about the laws and rules!” He showed the seal glowing in his palm.
The subordinates paled and gasped for air
Ello continued, “Establish orbit, and bring the Tracker 028-SCSS ship into the hold.”
The annoyed captain closed his eyes. That’s like trying to unravel the mystery of the universe.
***
“Let’s hope we’re in time,” Alex moaned while falling out of the small spaceship. He couldn’t move as he lay on the floor of the Tracker 028-SCSS. However, the intensive work of the first-aid kit under his suit brought him to his senses within a couple of minutes.
Sensing a presence, he said, “Wait, wait, wait.” He focused, as his instincts were not often wrong. “Yeah, there you are, Here’s the first, and next to it is the second, both with muffled consciousness, but with rhythmic mechanical echoes.”
He sighed, grinning. “Show yourself, spies!”
Two barely noticeable balls glided down from the small spaceship, mimicking its color.
“Tick-tock,” one said, which Alex translated as “Creator Phoenix, excuse us, we are obliged to join the mission. It is important for the mecho to be near.”
“Very important,” Chichik softly repeated, communicating in human language.
Wow! Their progress is amazing, Alex thought, despite the fact that they often violate my orders.
His mysterious mentor, Jokeiro, interrupted his reflection. “Your support is correct and far-sighted, mechoes. Now go, Phoenix! Time is running out.”
Alex nodded, grabbed the mechoes, and disappeared.
He found himself in the Igloo, where he was immediately greeted by a happy Flash. The giant animal joyfully knocked Alex down and buried him in the snow.
The mentor spoke sternly inside Alex’s head. Phoenix, you cannot waste time with frivolous activities. You have three urgent tasks. The first is to take one portion of Intellectum. Don’t worry about complications. The second is to put you free stat points into the subspace storage. Last but not least, you must rest.
Alex didn’t argue with Jokeiro. He trusted his mentor. Alex had long since realized the tips and tricks of this incredible personality were valuable. The dose of Intellectum led to no unpleasant sensations or complications, much like a vitamin.
Next, Phoenix invested the free stat points into the subspace storage. After a brief hesitation, he spent 135 points on other characteristics:
.
Igloo spell, level 1108
Scalable/ Indestructible
Communication and Transfer — 11
Time attributes — 125
Strengthening of magic — 179
Ice and Cold spell — 179
Health — 254
Hidden abilities:
Multifunctional Tracking Center — 260
Visual Attribute Portal — 125
Reserve respawn place — 125 (spell creator only)
* Addition: only friendly persons are allowed to transfer and communicate.
* Addition: All buffs of the Igloo spell apply to transferred people.
* Addition: The threshold for the transition to hidden abilities is the level of Igloo 1000 (Complete)
.
The rest of Alex’s personal characteristics appeared to be concise and life-affirming. He was especially pleased with the number of respawns.
.
Chimera, level — 676
Health — 676000/676000
Subspace storage (level — 541)
Available respawns — 75
.
Following his mentor’s instructions, Alex missed what might have been the most interesting event. When he finally looked at the vast hologram located in the exact center of the snow-covered Igloo, he saw no stars. The endless wall of the outer hull of the Reaper obscured the view. Endless superstructures of incomprehensible purpose flickered, looking utterly majestic.
Four shining white power manipulators rushed toward the Tracker 028-SCSS. Like the tentacles of Kraken, they latched onto the ship and dragged it into the Reaper’s hangar.
Watching this dizzying yet high-tech action, Alex fell asleep.
Let’s go. Our time has come. Flash woke Alex by placing his hefty paw on the man’s chest.
Yes. It is, as you say on Earth, the hour of the wolf, Jokeiro’s rattling words sounded in Alex’s head.
Is he really worried? Ha! It seems the stakes are high. To be or not to be! Alex thought. He stood resolutely, shaking off the snow, a sudden animal terror sneaking upon him.
The scheme of the Reaper still filled the hologram, resembling an oblong room with an a mysterious fifty-foot-high device in the center.
“What is that?” Alex muttered, staring at the image with genuine interest.
He observed a strange and wondrous sight – a shimmering bluish film of a power shield covered a network of interweaving power lines, incandescent metal, and rapidly spinning disks of plasma.
The main generator, Mentor Jokeiro said. We need to get there. We must do act quietly. I forbid you to engage in combat. It’s too dangerous. This matter concerns Phoenix and Flash. Follow my directions, and as Earthlings say, things will work out.
“Heard and understood, Captain!” Alex jokingly stood at attention and saluted. “We will be secretive, inconspicuous, and won’t enter into clashes!”
Alex suddenly felt, though he couldn’t see Jokeiro, that his mentor was staring at him with paternal sadness. He heard his calm tone, chilling Alex to the bone, You are right to be afraid. There are no people on the Reaper, they are monsters, experts on killing their own kind. I believe the Mind Catchers clan to be the most dangerous in the universe. Trust me, Phoenix, Earthlings are not serious opponents for them. Even you and Flash would lose to their weakest fighter.
And now the most important thing, my
