I sit at the table for a few seconds wondering what to do, then leave the cafeteria and go straight to reception. Fabian is there with Teresa. Perfect. I glance out at the courtyard and see the policewoman who confronted me just exiting the gate, so I try to pull her Status and just manage it before she disappears.
Lena Pike (Detective)
Level: 68
Redux: 0%
Power: Circumstantial Evidence (Tier 1 Major)
Conditions: None
Whoa. My increased Perception has provided me with insight into someone’s Redux. It’s a measure that always floats around combat Powered circles, the EDF, and the ESF that I’ve never really had access to; I focus on it to see how the measure is defined in my interface.
Redux
Estimated inherent percentage resistance to a Soul Spark Reclaimer’s physical attacks considering the Attributes, Powers, and Level of the target person.
Redux does take Conditions into account.
Redux does not take environmental factors into account.
Redux lower than 0% indicates a specific vulnerability to the Reclaimer’s attacks.
Redux higher than 100% indicates a specific resistance or virtual invulnerability.
I realize I’ve been standing here looking at the notification and staring at where Officer Pike disappeared for quite a while as I wave the notification away and see someone else is being brought in through the gate by wheelchair.
I turn to Fabian, whose attention is squarely on me. Teresa is doing something else behind the desk, but it’s clear she’s got at least some of her attention pointed this way also by the occasional glance and the obvious tilt of her head to make sure she doesn’t miss anything that’s said.
“Don’t worry about it, Calrik. None of us think you’ve done anything wrong. We checked the hallway footage together after Geraldine, remember? And Vitalis is vouching for you.”
He pauses for a few seconds and I can tell he’s wrestling with whether to say something further or not, so I wait. Eventually he decides to, and he can’t hide a slight undercurrent of suspicion.
“You might want a good explanation for those Levels, though.”
I can’t exactly tell him how I’ve managed to gain 7 Levels in the past few days, so I don’t.
“I had nothing to do with their deaths, Fabian. I’m here to help out my Aunt and you guys, if I can. Saint Marianne’s is a special place and you run a great operation.”
Fabian just nods and steps past me to greet the new resident, accompanied by what looks like his wife and son, so I slip out toward room 300 to find Auntie V. It’s not hard to catch Teresa watching me as I go. Just as I get to the room 300 door I feel a warm Soul Spark form from my right, but still within Saint Marianne’s. Should I Reclaim it with what’s going on and a policewoman asking questions? I only have a few moments to decide before the Soul Spark will start to dissipate so I Reclaim it. As long as I don’t actually allocate it, my Level shouldn’t change and I’ll have time to think about all of this and how to deal with Eddie fucking Midlane. There must be someone inside Saint Marianne’s on his payroll. I really, really hope it’s not Lucy or Fabian.
I’m still pretty tense when I open the door, but I do it quietly. I’m glad I did when I see that Auntie V is asleep on the hospice bed. It’s a big adjustable one and she’s got the back and knees up so that she’s slightly elevated. I lower myself quietly down into the chair nearby and run my hands through my hair. What a messed up situation.
“What’s bothering you, Cal?” Auntie V asks. I look over and her eyes are still closed; maybe she was just resting rather than asleep. Her wig isn’t on and she looks remarkably frail, not full of the life and vitality that usually radiates from her. Maybe she’s focused inward, or just tired.
“A detective was here, building a case that I’ve murdered residents of the hospice, and I got a message from Eddie Midlane that leaves no doubt he’s involved somehow. At this point I don’t know if she’s a crooked cop or what the situation is, but some things about how I’ve gained Levels are hard to explain, and it’s not easy to hide the fact I’ve massively increased my physical Attributes over even just the last day. I never thought there would be downsides to having higher Agility.”
There’s a slightly predatory glint in Auntie V’s eyes when she opens them. It’s clear this is no frail, confused old woman in the bed.
“Cal, I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with all of this on your own up until now, but I’m going to put a stop to it. Let me make a few calls while I’m still around. It won’t be long now.”
Part of me wants to protest, but part of me also wants all this solved and since I’m sticking around in the face of some significant potential danger I consider it a fair exchange. If I don’t make it past Auntie V’s passing then it won’t matter anyway. Every time I think about it coming up I feel some doubt and worry creep in, but I shove them back in a mental compartment before they can build. Corvins don’t back away just because there’s danger.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“How long, Auntie V?” I ask. It’s an uncomfortable question but I think it’s important I know.
“Two, three days at the most I think. My Powers aren’t far from declining further, I can feel it. And there’s only one last barrier I need to push through. Let me make these calls and then return to my meditation. You need to go meet our new resident, if he’s able.”
“Ok, Auntie V. Hit the call button if you need anything,” I tell her, then stand up and put what I hope is a comforting hand on her bony, wiry shoulder before I leave. Since I’m on the job I go back to my room and change into my Saint Marianne’s uniform, which has thankfully always been a bit roomy so still fits.
The family who was arriving isn’t in reception anymore by the time I get back and it’s only Bart behind the desk.
“Hey Bart, the new resident - what room is he in?” I ask.
“He’s in 515,” says Bart. “Keith Patterson.” Is it my imagination or do I feel some hostility coming from Bart? Is he the one feeding information to Eddie Midlane and his police stooges? Or is my paranoia over the top?
“Thanks, man,” I say. “Just going to make sure he’s settled.”
Bart doesn’t say anything in return and I head down the hall to my right and around the corner. Room 515 is a big corner room on the left side just as the hallway goes right. The numbering system in Saint Marianne’s has always been questionable, but it’s not something I want to spend any mental energy on trying to figure out.
The inside of the room is cream coloured, with a big hospital-type bed I can see from the door through a short opening with a bathroom on the right. Ken is resting peacefully on his left side with an IV drip hooked up to him, but little else. Just next to the bed but partially hidden from view are two of his relatives or friends. I thought maybe daughter and son, both in their late 40s or early 50s. I pull Keith’s status to see how he’s doing; it looks like it won’t be long and his kids know it.
Keith Patterson (Civil Planner)
Level: 169
Redux: -50%
Power: Planning and Design (Tier 1 Legendary)
Conditions: internal organ failure
“Is that you, Calrik?” asks the woman. She and the guy both look up at me. They’ve got a strong resemblance. Good looking family.
“Yeah,” I answer softly. It seems wrong to make much noise or barge into this room while they’re getting ready to farewell their dad, who is probably still the best Civil Planner on the planet based on his Power. That his Power is still Legendary at his age is beyond impressive.
Ellie Patterson (HR Advisor)
Level: 19
Redux: 0%
Power: Planning and Design (Tier 1 Minor)
Conditions: None
Ulf Patterson (Administrator)
Level: 24
Redux: 0%
Power: Hit the Deadline (Tier 2 Minor)
Conditions: None
If these are Keith’s kids, they hit the opposite of the Power lottery and it’s clear they’re not some kind of crazy exception like me. Usually kids are within a Power category up or down of the average of their parents. Maybe their Mom’s Power is only a Spark.
“Come on in,” says Ulf, and waves me over. It feels a bit intrusive, but I can understand they don’t want to leave his side. I approach and stop at the end of the bed. From my right and behind them, the sun is pouring through the window and the sky is pale blue. We all look at Keith for a few moments and then I glance up at them.
“He was a good man,” says Ulf quietly. “He improved cities wherever he went. The cities he designed thrived and he saved a lot of lives by making things safer. Aside from all the economic prosperity that was what he was most proud of - the love people had for where they live and the safety record in his cities.”
“The world needs more good planners,” I agree, and I mean it. With so many Powered people who run rampant, Galactics taking aim at us or alien invasions, and Monsters warped by Mana or escaping from overflowing Dungeons there’s so much of the world that gets rebuilt quickly and efficiently, but not always well. A lot of places are disorganized messes, even more than they were a hundred years ago.
“We wanted to say thanks,” Ellie says, and I wonder for what. “We really appreciate Auntie V trying to help Dad out. He’s just too far gone, even for her Powers. Being at the hospital was a nightmare, but this… Saint Marianne’s… it’s nice.” She pauses and looks at him for a couple of seconds, then looks back at me. “We’re distant cousins of yours, through Auntie V’s mom’s sister - did you know that? Even though we’re not Corvins, she always treated us well and she said you’re looking after her now.”
“Yeah, I’m trying to,” I say, a bit surprised. I never knew about this line of cousins. “Auntie V always treats people well - especially family.” I leave out that she wasn’t around for me after my parents disappeared - what’s the point?
We all look at Keith, peacefully laying on the bed, and I feel the Soul Sparks collecting. So much Soul Spark energy from such a peaceful old guy, wiry and unshaven with wispy white hair. It feels almost wrong to be here at the end when they’ve obviously struggled with him for so long. I know before they do that it’s the end… Keith takes a big, final breath and both Ellie and Ulf stand up and lean forward, as if sensing something.
“Would you like me to go?” I ask, but neither of them respond. They just look sadly at Keith and each puts a hand on him as he expires.
Bart walks into the room as I Reclaim the Soul Sparks from Keith, respectfully appreciating what an amazing life and contribution he must have made. It feels like a bit of a loss that I never got to know him.
“What are you doing here, Calrik?” Bart asks.
“I think… I think he’s gone,” says Ellie, with tears in her eyes.
Bart passes by me and checks Keith’s heartbeat, then nods respectfully to Ellie.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he says to Ellie and Ulf. “You can take as much time as you need to say goodbye.” Ulf sits back down slowly in his chair and puts his head in his hands while Ellie stands unmoving, her hand over her mouth. Bart turns to leave and I follow him out of the room. After a few strides he turns to me.
“Let Fabian or Teresa know. I’ll start on the other preparations.” He doesn’t seem anything other than professional to me and I wonder if I was imagining things. A bit sad for Ellie and Ulf, and whoever else Keith was important to, I walk back to the reception area.
“Fabian, Keith in 515 has passed away. Bart was there, he asked me to come tell you.”
“Already?” he asks. “That was quick. I was hoping Vitalis could do something.”
I nod and excuse myself, then head back to room 300. I put my hand on the handle and sigh, then knock to make sure Auntie V knows I’m about to enter. I’m not sure it seems long enough since Keith’s passing that I should pay attention to the blinking notification in the corner of my vision, but I open it up anyway as I open the door and my eyes go wide in shock at both things I see.
