NOVPUB
Chapter 53: New Adventures!
With Lia now wielding the B-Grade Verdant Lifespring Staff-Sword, a weapon Daniel had already marked for an eventual SSS-Talent upgrade, their immediate preparations were largely complete.
Ayra was off terrorizing the platform’s weightlifting equipment, probably using an Adamantium Impact Pillar fragment as a dumbbell.
Daniel was equipped with his S-Grade Fists of Fury and Solar Annihilation, A-Grade handwear, a reliable C-Grade bow, and a familiar currently attempting to learn [Wall Adhesion Claws], albeit by repeatedly face-planting into the side of a supply crate. Progress was slow.
"One last thing," Daniel said, patting Lia’s shoulder reassuringly as she admired her new weapon, its gentle green glow making her look even more serene.
"Information. The most valuable weapon of all, or so the boring instructors used to say.
Turns out, they weren’t entirely wrong."
Lia tilted her head, her grey eyes curious.
"Information? Beyond what Director Thorne briefed us on regarding the Taiji Basin and the Yin/Yang cards?"
"Precisely," Daniel confirmed. "Our Nexus Interfaces are pre-loaded with data on creatures and environments from Phases One and Two, the ’known’ Verge sectors.
But Phase Three, the Taiji Basin, is a new ballgame.
Unfamiliar beasts, unpredictable dangers, and outrageously aggressive plant life, many of which seemed disturbingly interested in your footwear. 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
We need the updated bestiary and environmental hazard logs for that specific sub-dimension."
Lia’s eyes widened slightly with understanding.
"Of course. I hadn’t even considered that. The Academy wouldn’t just hand over all strategic data for free, would they?"
"Never," Daniel chuckled. "Knowledge is power, and power has a price tag, usually in Federation credits or an embarrassing number of push-ups.
Luckily," he tapped his Priority Access Card, "we have a slight advantage."
They headed back to the central concourse of Platform Alpha, not to the Exchange Post this time, but towards a quieter, more imposing structure labeled ’Vanguard Archives & Tactical Data Repository – Authorized Personnel Only.’
Daniel flashed his SSS-Rank Priority Access Card at the stern-looking guard, who promptly saluted and ushered them inside with a nervous gulp.
The interior was cool, dimly lit, and filled with rows upon rows of humming data servers.
At the central console, a tired-looking archivist with glasses slipping down his nose looked up as they approached.
"Aspirant Vance! An honor, sir! And Aspirant... Lia, is it? How may the Archives assist the Academy’s... most statistically significant assets today?"
He was clearly aware of Daniel’s record-breaking scores and Lia’s A-Grade healing talent.
"We need the complete data package for the Taiji Basin sub-dimension," Daniel stated. "Beast classifications, elemental properties, known hazards, geographical sur...veys.
The archivist paled slightly. "The... complete package, Aspirant Vance?
That’s... a considerable amount of restricted data.
Level Three access protocols are quite strict, even for... priority personnel."
Daniel just smiled, a charmingly disarming smile that nevertheless made the archivist feel like he was staring into the abyss.
"I believe my access credentials will suffice.
And the Academy did stress the importance of thorough preparation for Phase Three’s ’extreme dangers’."
He subtly tapped the SSS-Rank token icon that now glowed faintly on his Nexus Interface.
The archivist swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. Of course, sir. Right away, sir."
He typed furiously at his console. Data streams, complex charts, and holographic images of terrifyingly exotic beasts flashed across the screen.
"This will be... ten thousand Federation credits per data set, Aspirant. Standard fee for Level Three comprehensive intel."
Daniel nodded, authorizing the transfer from his now rather bloated Academy stipend account.
"Two sets, please. One for myself, one for Aspirant Lia."
As the data downloaded directly to their Nexus Interfaces, Lia looked genuinely impressed.
"You navigate the Academy’s bureaucracy almost as effectively as you navigate a deathtrap labyrinth, Daniel."
"Years of practice dealing with boring teachers who assigned too much homework," Daniel replied wryly.
"Same principles apply: look confident, flash impressive credentials, and never, ever admit you have no idea what you’re doing until after you’ve gotten what you want."
With the precious data secured, they made their way towards the designated assembly point for Phase Three deployment, a large, open plaza near the edge of Platform Alpha.
Many other teams had already gathered, and the air was filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Daniel scanned the crowd and quickly spotted Ayra. She was using a bent steel girder as a back-scratcher while glaring at the sky, as if daring the teleportation portal to be late.
Director Thorne stood on a raised platform, looking marginally less stressed than before, perhaps because nothing had exploded in the last hour.
"Aspirants!" he called out, his voice amplified.
"The final ten minutes before Phase Three deployment are upon us!
Finalize your team registrations! Confirm your loadouts! And may the Verge recognize your... competence, if not your restraint!"
He shot another pointed look towards the general vicinity of Daniel and Ayra.
Ayra, spotting them, strode over, the bent girder clanging against the plasteel floor with each step.
"About time, Vance! Lia! I was starting to think you two eloped to a dimension with better snacks and less paperwork!"
She tossed the girder aside; it landed with a crash that made several nearby recruits jump.
"Just acquiring vital intel, Ayra," Daniel said calmly, gesturing to his Nexus. "You know, the boring stuff that keeps us from being eaten by things with too many teeth and not enough social skills."
"Hmph. My teeth are usually enough social skills," Ayra retorted, but there was a hint of grudging curiosity in her eyes.
Lia, ever the diplomat, quickly brought Ayra up to speed on the Taiji Basin data they’d acquired.
As they discussed potential threats, elemental imbalances, territorial megafauna, and regions prone to "reality fluctuations", the final countdown began on the large chronometer display.
"Teams, prepare for Stargate activation!"
Director Thorne announced. "Yin and Yang card assignments will be randomized upon entry.
Good luck, Aspirants. Try to bring back all your limbs this time. The paperwork for prosthetic replacements is a nightmare."
A massive, swirling portal, similar to the Gateway Arch but crackling with raw, elemental energy, began to form in the center of the plaza.
Daniel, Lia, and Ayra stood together, a strange, almost mismatched trio.
The SSS-Talent enigma, the A-Grade serene healer, and the S-Grade furious berserker.
Other teams eyed them with a mixture of fear and grudging respect. They were, undeniably, one of the strongest, if most volatile, teams on the platform.
"Ready?" Daniel asked, looking at his new teammates.
Lia nodded, her hand resting on her Verdant Lifespring Staff-Sword, her grey eyes calm and focused.
Ayra just grinned, a feral light dancing in her eyes, her knuckles cracking audibly.
"Born ready, Vance. Let’s go break something! Preferably something that isn’t Academy property this time."
As the portal stabilized, a wave of energy washed over them.
A small, finely carved jade card appeared in Daniel’s hand. It was cool to the touch and gave off a faint, shadowy energy.
He glanced at it. The symbol for ’Yin’ was etched into its surface.
A powerful force pulled them forward. Then the platform vanished.
The world became a chaotic swirl of elemental energy. The Taiji Basin awaited, with its dangers, Class Transitions, and the next tough Chapter in their Vanguard assessment.
Daniel braced himself, Nyx yipping excitedly from his pouch, eager for new adventures.
