Chapitre 6: Contract negotiations
'What?!' Gilchrist thought to himself. "I beg your pardon Lord Lucifer but I don't quite understand what you mean." Appealed Gilchrist, for time and to make more sense of the situation.
Lady Lilith spoke up at this point it time. "To make it very plain. We needed someone to escort and guide Gran around the multiverse that father has created. The condition was that the guide be mortal and capable of traversing the Void. The conditions have been met and now we present you the opportunity to be the guide for Lady Abyss through the mortal realms. And before you ask yes we are talking about The Abyss. She is the abyss not simply a ruler of it. Everything currently in existence stems from her and will return to her. However due to the unique way her existence interacts with mortal realms we need a guide who can tether her to themselves and allow her to explore the vast and different realms of existence."
Gilchrist in his limited wisdom, decided to keep his mouth shut and think about the information presented before speaking. Having a cup of tea in hand, in such situations is a blessing. Taking a slow sip savouring the taste and aroma of his specific brew. Going over what was said Gilchrist decides to confirm what he'd just heard.
"So how exactly will it work? And what will be my role in accomplishing this task?" Inquired the baffled man while his thoughts were going a mile a minute. 'Seriously what am I supposed to do?! Am I dead? Dead dead, or can I go back and pretend this never happened? Honestly I don't think tea is going to cut it. A whiskey and a cigar, ahh, good times.'
Responding to being called Gran Lady Abyss decided to speak up "what do you mean Gran! I'll have you know I'm timeless so technically I'm both older and younger than you!" Murphy decides to purr in Lady Abyss' lap to calm her down.
"We meant no offence, but you are fathers' mother and make excellent cookies. We can't help but call you Gran." Answered Lord Lucifer trying to placate the teenage looking immortal entity.
"Humph, very well." Replied Lady Abyss curtly.
Moving back to Gilchrist. Lord Lucifer continued where Lady Lilith left off.
"To answer some of your questions:
1. Yes you are now permanently in the realm of the dead, or to be more precise in the realm of souls. Your mortal body is now inhabitable. And based on how much time you spent in the abyss it can be a second or several millennia since you shook off your mortal coil.
2. You have 3 options;
i) Reincarnate and perform given duties
ii) Stay in Hell for eternity
iii) Be banished to the Abyss
3. What you doing want to do is entirely up to you. However there are certain incentives to choosing the first option mentioned previously."
Hearing Lord Lucifer's explanation of his current situation and options, Gilchrist was sent into the depths of despair. 'When shit hits the fan, most of it will bounce of and hit you in the face.' The sergeant major's infinite wisdom being recalled at this very moment gave him some clarity. 'Drink your tea and think dumbass…ahh…working for them is honestly the only feasible option. Stay in Hell, nope. I don't know how long I will suffer or what kind existence I will have during and after, so I'm not risking it. And banishment to the Abyss, although I survived it, for a few hours by my sense of time I don't think I can last there longer than a week. Also I had a rough path to follow, I don't know if there will be another one. So I serve, a different cause and master but between Her Majesty and THE LORD OF HELL it's a no brainer. This isn't some comic or TV show/Film. The entities in front of me can wipe my existence without a second thought or with excruciating agony depending on their mood. I'm not risking my life, un-life? soul? whatever to their whims. Maybe something good will come out of this shit show.' Taking another sip of his tea Gilchrist come to a conclusion and decided his future words carefully.
"Lord Lucifer, I would like to know more about the reincarnation with duties option. And what are the duties and benefits to it?" Asked Gilchrist as politely as possible. The room seemed to light up a bit as everyone smiled at hearing his decision. Well everyone but Lord Murphy, he was too busy enjoying his ear scratches. "Most certainly, to enjoy the creation of her 'son' Lady Abyss has been required to go alongside someone who she can tether her existence to. Otherwise whatever plane of existence she is on crumbles into nothing and returns to the Abyss. You will be that tether to existence. Your job will be to escort Gran, wherever she wants to go you go with her. Although you will have your autonomy, your primary concern is safety. Grans' and yours. We do not want her getting angry again, that's how we lost a multiverse before." Lord Lucifer reminisces while explaining the gist of the matter.
"So a Close Protection Detail. What is the time frame and purpose of the visit. The itinerary and possible threats during each stop. Also what resources will be provided to ensure the successful completion of this mission." Gilchrist got back into his operation mode. Planning, making plans A through Z, setting up contingencies and abort conditions based on mission details provided.
"Ah, an operator through and through. In your words: there is no time limit specified. think of it as a world tour, but in the multiverse of all of creation. Each stop will last as long as Gran deems appropriate. You have complete authority to over rule her orders if you think it unduly compromises her or your safety. The purpose of each stop is to explore and enjoy yourselves in that plane of creation. Basically you are going world hopping. As for the resources provided I have a feeling that will need to discuss things further but what we have lined up right now is:
1. Unlimited Potential - unbound by the limits of that world.
2. Accelerated Growth - Learn and master whatever you want much faster with proportionate effort
3. A system with an A.I. - also comes with a shop, and inventory.
If there is anything you want further details on or changes to be made now is the time to negotiate." Outlined Lord Lucifer.
"Thank you, Lord Lucifer for the explanation. The term 'world hopping' has me a bit concerned. Although I can understand the gist of it, I mean that is the whole premise of Star-Trek and Star-Gate. But can you outline what worlds we will be visiting? It will make future discussions more clear and fruitful for all parties involved." Responded Gilchrist. Clearly surprised by the scope of the mission.
"No worries Mr. Gilchrist. It is as you think. There exist several world and realities in Creation. Your particular world is what we in the higher planes of existence call a null world. A world where souls for particular objectives are recruited. Thus there is no extra senses and energy manipulation or 'magic' as you would say there. Your world and many others like it are located in uninhabited areas of the galaxies where it is impossible to find you. You are protected by a barrier for this very reason. Other realties can be perceived by dreams and unconscious thoughts. You will be going to these realities that you deem as fiction." Explained Lord Lucifer.
This bit of information left Gilchrist flabbergasted. So all the novels and movies he vaguely remembered were real somewhere else? What about the things he did not bother with? In all honesty if it didn't have sex and violence, he didn't give a damn about it. Some things he found over-rated and others too complicated or idiotic. 'So if that is the case hopefully we can go somewhere pretty straight-forward and simple to get used to the situation and dynamic. Ultimately, we will have to work together to ensure each other's safety. There will have to be changes to the benefits and more importantly the resources, which up to this have not been disclosed. Time to negotiate with Command. The joys of being an officer.'
"If I may inquire as to the situation of previously visited worlds. Will we be able to return to them or do we simply move on? What I mean to ask is do we setup a network with HQ and Bases or do what we want and move on?" Inquired Gilchrist after taking a sip of his tea. 'The tea is still warm.'
"You can return to them, however it is better that you do not. Making several changes in the spacetime between planes of worlds has a possibility of wiping out both worlds' respective galaxies. It is advised that you explore to your leisure and then move on." Explained Lady Lilith this time. As Lord Lucifer was sipping his tea.
"Hmm." 'This actually simplifies matters, there is no particular need to care about collateral damage. Whatever is a threat can be neutralized to the roots without fear of repercussions. Now for Benefits and Resources.' "I would like to thank you for the insights provided on the matter." Gilchrist thanked Lady Lilith.
"I would like to discuss the benefits and resources provided. My questions are regarding can the be additions and changes later on? And can there be changes now?" Asked Gilchrist, looking at everyone in the room and trying to read the atmosphere to see how far he could push things.
"Yes that is certainly possible, that is why we have opened negotiations, otherwise we would have just sent you on your way. This the a matter of Gran's protection after all. Now What did you have in mind?" Inquired Lord Lucifer
"To start off with Lord Lucifer it would be greatly appreciated if you could give me a brief explanation of 'Unlimited Potential' and 'System'. 'Accelerated Growth' is pretty straight-forward." Responded Gilchrist.
"With Pleasure, Mr. Gilchrist. 'Unlimited Potential' will allow you to exceed the most powerful existence ever on said world. It allows for you to grow linearly continuously rather than having an asymptotic taper at higher levels of power due to conditions outside of your control. 'System' is an interface that will guide and assist you in executing your mission. It has a built in A.I. that will record your progress and give out tasks to be completed. Think of it as a video game HUD and butler combines into one. It also comes with a Shop and Inventory." Outlined Lord Lucifer.
"Thank you Lord Lucifer, if I may take a moment to collect my thoughts." Said Gilchrist, waiting for acknowledgement before taking his eyes off of Lord Lucifer and co.
"Please take your time." Replied Lord Lucifer.
"Thank you" - 'Unlimited potential, although very tempting is actually useless when I have that system. What I need is something that will ensure things go mostly as I plan them out or worst case scenario no more than Plan H. Luck is just as important in proactively weeding out threats. Also we will need money, I can use the financial markets to make a pretty penny with a bit of luck a few billion pretty pennies. Also the system needs to be sorted out before we are deployed. I cannot have surprises and things not working last minute. Also how will I gather intel? That is a glaring concern. I honestly don't know that much about where we will be going and where we will end up so it is best if there is some way to expedite the acquisition of recourses and intel. The shop is pretty self explanatory but I need to know how it works and what is available. The Inventory is again self explanatory but needs more detail and possibly changes. And honestly I really don't need an A.I but it would be nice as I won't have to compile all the data and information by myself but I need to be able to link assets to it. Also if some stupid thing like EXP or quests is involved I am getting rid of it. It's completely useless for the mission parameters.'
"Lord Lucifer, I would like to request the removal of 'Unlimited Potential' and add a benefit based on Luck. Being in the right place at the right time. Having a hunch and acting on it and it coming up roses. Basically having a sixth sense for timing things to my advantage. Also I would like the 'System to be configured to my personal specs." Gilchrist requested the changes. The room was plunged into silence. Gilchrist looked around the room and found everyone was quite surprised by the request, for reasons he could not fathom.
" cough, cough. Yes that is possible. Uncle Murphy if you would be so kind. Lord Lucifer looked over to a silver Bengal who was judging Gilchrist. Thankfully he approved of 'this one'. Lord Murphy got off of Lady Abyss' lap and jumped over to Gilchrist and smacked the back of his head with his paw. making Gilchrist choke on the tea he had just sipped. "Uncle did you have to be so harsh with the boy?" Inquired Lady Lilith. "Yes, Yes I did." Replied Lord Murphy as he reclaimed his spot of Lady Abyss' lap. 'Did the cat just talk? Also, what the fuck!' Gilchrist lamented as he rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about that, Now that you have the blessing of Lord Murphy, 'Impeccable Timing' I'll just hand over the system configuration to you." Lord Lucifer said. He then snapped his fingers and a cube of about 3"x3" appeared in left hand and he floated in front of Gilchrist, effectively scaring the shit out of him. "Tap on it and you will be put through a tutorial of sorts to customize and specify the system and its subcomponents." Said Lord Lucifer, quite happy with himself for that little display.
Some time passed as Gilchrist made a system for himself. The features were as follows:
SYSTEM:
MAP; Zoom and seek to any marked person, place, thing. Can immediately update and seek marked targets. Provides 3D data based on information provided to the system database.
SHOP; a simple interface with a search bar in the middle of the screen. Buy anything as long you have the money. It allows you to buy anything on the current, and all previous worlds. Uses Most relevant currency in the area/world. Auto conversion capable. Can store money, like a prepaid card.
INVENTORY; Store items and materials. All items stored under stasis. Linked to Shop. Auto-repair all Marked Items. Can create a group of same or similar items for convenience. Displayed as a tiled icon similar to windows explorer on PCs. Has sub-functions; Equip, Unequip, Auto-Loot, Store, Eject. Auto-loot only works on dead or unconscious targets. Eject-forcefully ejects designated item object at an initial acceleration of 1000m/s^2, so mass is the only thing limiting force and impact velocity.
HUD; similar to the HUD of Ace Combat games. Clearly marked targets and designations.
Can link assets to HUD and MAP to expedite mission objectives.
After about 30 minutes Gilchrist looked up and said "that should do it for now. Thank you for waiting."
"No problem, Damien" Lady Abyss spoke up.
"Now you should be on you way to the first designation as requested by Gran, you know it as the books and movies of Harry Potter. You will Have time to get settled in and sort yourselves out before being thrust into the centre of things." Stated Lord Lucifer.
"You, Mr. Gilchrist will be born as Harry Potter and you Gran will be born as Hermione Granger. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Also be advised that Gran knows of your Benefits and she has her own. Please cooperate with each other." Lady Lilith explained as Lord Lucifer got up.
"Also I'm coming with, I'm tired of unknowingly causing chaos I want to explore and take a more active role." Spoke Lord Murphy.
'Holy fuck! Magic and shit! Seriously?! Also what does he mean by 'causing chaos' and 'active role'? and where is everyone walking off to? and why am I just following them? I am fucked. So fucken fucked.'
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone