บท 10: Chapter 9: Headquarters, cabins and an unexpected guest

Having established my company as well as the deed to the swampland, I am on my way into the swamps in the evening when suddenly a notification pops up.

<Notification: Quest [2] completed>

<Rewards are handed out:

- Free facilities: 3

- Instant compleation (buildings): 6>

Seeing the quest complete, but no Level-up notification pop up I am a bit disappointed in the system. -Why does leveling up have to be so complicated?-

< Question translated: Level-up process>

<Notification: Quest [3] availabe>

<+Quest [3]:

-Primary Goal= Build a secure base of operation

-Secondary Goal= Build a house as a distraction from your headquarters

-Rewards= Remote headquarters control +Hidden>

-You must be reading my mind.- I think reading the quest description that perfectly matches my intentions. Swiftly I select my three choices made yesterday for my first three facilities via the system.

<-Fallout shelter two steps entrance [$12.500.000-> free]:

The only thing visible of this secret headquarters entrance is a helipad like round metal structure encased in thirty centimeters of cement mixed with lead. Unlike a regular bunker, the entrance to this one is not only an atypical pneumatic hull that doubles as a hatch but is also an interior elevator. Followed by the elevator one meets the inner blast door that seals up the underground bunker.>

<Advanced modular bunker hub (upgradable) [$25.000.000-> free]:

The most advanced modular bunker hub space available. Including 1×controllroom-, 1×vault-, 1×assemblyline-, 1×armory-, 1×barrack-, and 1×laboratory- module. [Entrace not included]>

Having selected the two most essential things, for now, I first place the Entrance on top of the highest hill available, just to make sure it is safe from flooding. After that, I mentally connect the entrance with the hub at around 500 meters below the earth.

Having placed both structures on my property, another notification pops up.

<Notification: Instant compleation (buildings)×6 detected >

Not really thinking about it, because I have currently 6 of those, I select -Yes-. Driving my bike up the hill I just built my secret Headquarters on, I am surprised by the fact how seamlessly the entrance resembling a helipad fits itself into nature.

-Shit! If I didn't new because having built it myself I really would think it to be just a fancy helipad.- I think to myself turning off my bike, walking into the elevator center.

<Notification: Systemfunction 'Map' unlocked>

Before I am able to do anything I am suddenly shown a topographical map of the land I bought from Michael.

-Wow. Very convenient. Can I change the interface?- I ask the system and instantly the Map settings pop up.

<Selected: Settings/Interface>

<+Interface:

-Map [full-> partial->3D->minimap->mental minimap]

-Quests [unlocked]

-Vitality-, Stamina-, Locked- Icon [locked]

-Ability-Cooldown-Timer [locked]

-System comunication [mental]>

Confirming the change another notification pops up again.

< <Notification: Incoming call [Sarah James]>

<Connect?>

_________

Shortly after the reporter is gone, Sarah joins her mother Cynthia and her stepfather Jack Kyle for dinner, her two half-brothers nowhere to be seen. Glaring daggers at her mother for not only ruining her public breakup plan with Robert but also not talking with the reporter about no-go questions she sits down at the table, asking: ''Where are Christopher and William?''

The one answering her is not Cynthia but Jack. As a good-looking well-aged businessman close to his sixties, Jack Kyle radiates not only strength but also wisdom. Answering Sarah's question he tells her: ''As you would know if you were home more often instead of in Los Angeles... Christopher is working as-as intern to be a prosecutor in DC and William is following his dreams and paints in the swamps.''

Knowing her stepfather's disapproving stance on her perusing her career in the city of angels Sarah ignores Jacks jabs at her for not knowing, she remains silent.

''Look at you. What have you done to your hair?'' Asks Cynthia shocked because for the first time she registered her daughters change in hair color.

Puffing her hair Sarah tells her with a satisfied smile and provocation in her voice: ''I am a blond now. Don't you like it?''

''You should eat more now that the Dawn movies have ended. With that blonde hair, you look like a buyable slut.'' Comments Sarahs Stepfather with an accompanied snarl.

''Oh, shut it Jack...'' Sarah tells her stepfather before turning to her mother telling her manager: ''... and you are fired.''

''What?!...'' Screams Cynthia, totally blindsided by her daughters swift and merciless actions. ''... You can't be serious!''

''Sarah stop that childish behavior and act like an adult.'' Demands Jack Kyle with authority from his stepdaughter.

''Oh, shut it big guy mom only married you because of your money, not for you to be my father...'' Sarah angrily guesses, expecting her mothers adamant or her stepfather's immediate denial, but what follows is a deafening awkward silence of truth before Jack speaks.

''Cynthia I will not have your daughter however old she has become talk to me or you like that. Not after I have invested so much to boost her career.'' Lord Kyle commands and Sarah's head is suddenly thrown back by a slap coming from her mother.

''Ungrateful child!'' Sarah hears her mother say but is shocked by the hole slapping ordeal. -Mom slapped me?!- She is thinking confused, feeling her tears flow free and her feet move.

Bumping into a warm wall of the male she looks up and looks into the gentle eyes of her half-brother William.

''Hey is your new Ferrari was just delivered... Whats up Sar?'' Hearing her brother's warmth voice, she finally is able to stand up for herself, remembering Henry's words: Don't second guess yourself when in a position of power. -Am I in power? With 28 I sure as hell am!-

''I am moving out!'' She tells her youngest brother and storms off in the direction of the pool house, leaving brother, mother, and stepfather shellshocked by her statement behind.

On her way to the pool house Sarah's first calls her best friend, secret lover and domina Aubrey, but after the pornstar isn't picking up her phone she decides to call her soldier.

''Hey Henry do you have a place for me to stay? I am currently moving out from my stepfather house. It would be only for tonight. We had a big fight and I need a place to stay and...'' She pleadingly, feeling the second wave of tears coming, asks when Henry interrupts her.''

''I have a cabin in the swamp. You can stay with me. I send you the coordinates.'' Henry compassionate tells her, instantly saving her dignity from having to stay at a motel.

-You can stay with me.- These words of his not only free her from her families clutches but also speed up her heart beat as a warm protective and caring feeling overtakes her heart.

Thanking him Sarah ends the call and packs her bags.

Minutes later she dejectedly throws her bags into the trunk of her newly bought lipstick red Ferrari drives in the direction of the swamps, to the coordinates that Henry has sent her.

___________

Ending the call with Sarah I can only sorrowful groan about the knowledge that today I will definitely not be inspecting my newly built secret underground headquarters.

Looking at the still closed elevator entrance that is the hatchet I am standing I swear to myself. -Tomorrow.-

Having to build a cozy cabin on my property to accommodate my new unexpected guest for the night, scroll for the first time through the selection of civilian buildings.

Feeling the day's warmth leave for the nights cold embrace I finally select a promising cabinet.

<-Slice Of Nature Cabin [unfurbished $320.000/ furbished $520.000-> free]:

Amazing sunset views secluded hilltop acres, large creek, one Q Beds, 2 bathrooms, gaming room, high-end kitchen, Wi-Fi, hot tub, fire ring, wood burning fireplace.>

After that having selected the cabin, I mentally place the cabin at in between the foot of the hill, the swamp and a beaten up path near the hill.

<Notification: Instant compleation (buildings)×5 detected >

-Do I have any other choice with Sarah arriving any minute now? Do it.- I tell the system painfully leaving my headquarters without even checking it out inside.

While driving down the hill to my new home, a notification annoyingly pops us.

<Notification: Quest [3] completed>

<Rewards are handed out:

-Remote headquarters control

-Singularity Gate>

Happy about this new development, another unwanted notification pops up before I am able to get a clear understanding of my rewards.

<Notification: Level 1->2>

<Basic gene technology unlocked:

-Buy for $1.000.000?>

-Fuck, NO! Who do you think I am Croesus?-

<~Current User is not User: King Croesus of Lydia (595 BC – c. 546 BC)~>

-Say what?- I ask the system but my question remains unanswered as another notification replaces it.

<+Locks:

- Personal [unavailable]

- Shop: Medicines [unavailable]

- Enhanced user abilities (passive)[unavailable]>

Deciding to ignore the system, for now, I can see my cabin come into view as I am coming down the hill. Taking a quick look I can already see a red brand new Enzo Ferrari park on what I guess is my lawn...