"Hey System, how many points do I have left?"
Szeth was walking.
He was nowhere near as hurried as before. The raging flames that drove him forward were mostly quenched. The hatred for xenos hadn't gone away, but it had been finally controlled. Being sane... Or at least, having regained his logical side, Szeth had decided there was no reason to run straight into another Blight nest now that he had both a way to survive and a goal to look forward to besides the destruction of the infection.
— The Watcher has currently 3300 Points in their possession.
By the same logic, since he had amassed a fair amount of Watcher Points, the 'currency' for trading with the System, it occurred to him that entering enemy, literally alien territory with nothing more than a sword he didn't know how to use properly wasn't a smart course of action.
It would be better if I could save up points.
I bet there's a lot of interesting stuff I can buy with them. Even if it's intended for use against the Blight, I've seen a lot of Watchers use a lot of fancy Custodes tech for personal use or profit.
At least in the commercials.
Being effectively a pariah, Szeth wasn't well versed in things like societal rules or common knowledge, but even he knew that Watchers played the part of 'superheroes of justice' just as much as they fought against Blight outbreaks. Possibly more.
So there evidently wasn't a rule against using the System for his own convenience.
That said, the best, and possibly the only way to rack up points was killing xenos. And to kill xenos, he needed better equipment.
Antinomy was great. Wonderful, even. But a one-armed boy shouldn't be so dependent on close-quarters combat. Lest they had a death wish.
That said... I don't know crap about my options. If I tried to buy something by myself, I'd spend too much time or spend on something I couldn't properly use... Fuck, this is harder than I thought.
— Watcher, the System is currently on Assist Mode. Until deactivated, it will actively engage in decision making in matters of both tactics and recommended equipment for the Watcher.
"What, so you can lead me by the hand while I learn the ropes? Isn't that kind of you."
— Individuals who are selected for System Integration are a rare resource. The System was not designed with wastefulness in mind.
"Well, that might just be the first time someone's told me something nice! Though the way you said it makes it sound like you're talking about tools..."
Not that it particularly bothered Szeth. Being convenient as a tool was all good with him if it meant staying alive and enjoying the luxuries of the System. Mutually using one another was better than getting unilaterally beaten to a pulp any time of the day.
"So. 3300 Points. I have some time before we get to the next Blight contact point. Care to give some pointers about what to buy next?"
— Acknowledged.
— The Watcher has shown a tendency to favor close-quarters combat, capitalizing on offensive speed with complete disregard for defense.
— Though many Watchers prefer melee combat, the self-destructive way you fight is terribly inefficient, Watcher. It is recommended that you shift to a more evasion-oriented approach. Hit-and-run or evasive maneuvers are advised as your main fighting style.
"That'd be great, but I know fuck all about fighting or swordplay in the first place so I really doubt I can pull something like that. Unless I can get one of those ultra-fast mental training sessions, about the only proper thing I can do without slicing my own toes is that Instant Slash. Not that I'm complaining though. It's neat."
— The Watcher does not currently have enough points to purchase a fighting style data compilation.
"And there you have it. I jumped head-on into that horde because I didn't thinl I'd make it out alive in the first place. Call it a berserk charge. Now that situation's changed and I'm not dead, I'd like to keep it that way. And since I know jack shit about fighting... I guess an easy-to-use weapon that doesn't put me in danger's way. Preferably fast."
— Acknowledged.
— Weapons focused in simplicity and safety, with high fire cadence, that can be paired with an offensive high-speed approach.
— The Watcher's preferences shift towards a Vanguard-archetype role.
— Vanguards are commonly the first line of Watchers to arrive at Blight outbreaks. Their role is to cut down the xenos' momentum, lower their numbers and act as reconnaissance for the main force.
— Their fighting style commonly involves using high output firearms with low attack power to reduce the enemy forces from a distance, then finishing up stronger xenos with mid-close ranged weapons. Due to their mobility-based approach, light armor is recommended to avoid lethal damage rather than constantly withstanding enemy attacks. Camouflage, night-vision and infrared, and other scouting equipment is also recommended
— The Vanguard's main role is leading the initial offensive, civilian rescue or shelter protection in the early stages of an outbreak. When the main Watcher force has arrived, a Vanguard will act as a support unit for the core units.
"Hmmm..."
Szeth pondered on the System's words.
Overall, what he had understood translated to being a speartip and then performing mixed duties. Focusing on speed was obviously the right choice for him, barely a starved teenager who also happened to lack an eye and an arm. On the other hand, supporting other people, and especially, civilian rescue, didn't sound all that enjoyable to him. He was terrible with people, and people were even worse with him. That said, "rescuing civilians" wasn't the same as "being nice to them". If push came to shove, he'd just beat them to a pulp and drag their unconscious asses to the shelters.
He wasn't about to start playing superheroes. He had become a Watcher out of pure coincidence, and he would be damned if he didn't make use of it. He wasn't a selfless ally of justice.
He would kill bugs. He would get payed. That was that.
"Well... Being the first to arrive at an outbreak sounds like a good way of making fast money! Besides, you're supposed to be smarter than me. If you recommend it that much, I don't see why not."
— Acknowledged.
— "Specter" has been officially registered as a Vanguard-class Watcher in the System.
— In the future, decisions made by the System in Assist Mode will be influenced by this role. Furthermore, the missions assigned to the Watcher will be focused on Vanguard duties.
— Watcher name and role both registered, the Watcher "Specter" will be noticed by other Watchers in the area. The System will refer to them as "Specter" to avoid misunderstandings.
"Noticed?! Hey, hey! I didn't hear any of this before! I've nothing to do with the other clowns and I sure as hell don't want them to know about me!"
Szeth's angry voice echoed through the deserted city. His footsteps gained in speed and intensity, and if there had been someone insane enough to have been watching in the Blight-struck sector, they might have thought he was throwing a tantrum.
It wasn't terribly far from reality.
— Cooperation with other Watchers is necessary to achieve an efficient victory against the Blight.
"In disregard of my privacy? If I wanted to make friends with strangers I'd gone to the Red Light district!"
— In accordance to the Contract, all Watchers are obligated to cooperate. As a Watcher bound to that Contract, disobedience of this rule will result in an immediate termination of the Contract.
"So I have to play buddies with hero-complex clowns? Man, fuck my luck. I'm telling you..."
Szeth sighed. It evidently wasn't up for discussion. He tore his gaze from the paved street ahead and looked up at the sky. The Dead Moon had long since moved from the center of the dark starred vault, and its turquoise gleam was nothing more than a pale shadow in the night.
"Well, fuck it. I guess I have no other choice... But don't expect me to be happy about it!"
He cursed the xenos for the lack of kickable things around the city, instead settling for jabbing at the air.
"How am I supposed to cooperate with these clowns? If they start talking into my brain I'll buy that greatsword and bash my head with it."
The System maintains a bidirectional psionic link with each Watcher. However, relaying information between the Watchers in this net is an inefficient use of the System's resources. The System will only alert nearby Watchers of their presence and roles. Establishing direct communication amongst them is entirely up to the Watchers, Specter.
"Which means I'll be mostly fine if I do my job well enough nobody needs to bother me. Fine, I get it, I get it. And? About the stuff I wanted? My equipment?"
— To fulfill your role as a Vanguard, it is recommended you next purchase a ranged weapon.
"Then get me something light and fast. Something I can clean Termites with before they swarm up on me."
— Acknowledged. Searching...
— Match found.
— Hand Railgun "Peashooter"
— Semi-automatic gun with high output but low firepower. 30-round cartridges. Regular lead bullets accelerated with a magnetic field. Ineffective against shells or other resistant materials.
— Cost: 500 Points
— Magazine cost: 50 Points
"Uh... That's a bit... How do i say this..."
Cheap. Weak. It's frankly pathetic. Isn't there anything better you can do?
— You requested a weapon for Termite extermination. The Peashooter is the first weapon of a Watcher. It suffices for the task.
"... Well, I guess so..."
Szeth stopped his walk. "Give it to me."
— Acknowledged.
A black casing materialized from glowing white dust, dropping to the ground with a plop. Szeth kneeled down and opened it to find a dark gun, maybe two handspans long. It wasn't particularly impressive and it had no memorable features whatsoever. It didn't evem have a sight. The magazine had the form of a rectangular capsule that fit beneath the muzzle. It was separated from the gun.
Szeth was about to load the weapon, when he came to an awkward realization.
"..."
After analyzing the situation for some time, he spoke up.
"Hey, System. Can I get a refund?"
— Negative.
"Then, can you answer me a question?"
Szeth looked at the handgun, then at the cartridge. Then at the handgun again. Then he looked at his hands.
More precisely, his only hand.
"HOW THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO LOAD THE GUN WITH A SINGLE HAND?!?!?!"
— Position the gun beneath your stump and use your hand to maneuver.
"AND HOW THE FUCK DO I DO THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF BATTLE?! HUH?! IS THAT FUCKING EFFICIENT? CAUSE IT SURE AS HELL DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THAT TO ME!!!!"
— ...
"DON'T YOU '...' ME, FUCKER!!! WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE IS THIS?!"
— ... Acknowledged.
— The System's resources assigned to the Earth are limited. This may occasionally cause slight malfunctions.
— Due to the System malfunctioning, the Points spent in the purchase of a "Peashooter" have been reimbursed.
"'Slight,' it says... Tch. Well, at least I got my points back. Then? Is there something that doesn't require me to have two hands?"
As he asked, Szeth suddenly realized something.
This was the Custodes System.
The Custodes System. The one that produced miraculous drugs and gigantic mechas and alien-flavored beverages.
"Actually, scratch that. Don't you have something to fix my arm?"
It wasn't too far fetched to think that they sold prosthetics, right?
— The Watcher does not currently possess sufficient points to purchase a suitable prosthetic.
Well, it didn't mean he couldn't have his arm back. Only that he'd have to slaughter some xenos before it happened. Since that had been his original plan, he didn't think it unfair.
"Well then, the gun?"
— Match Found.
— Laser Gun "Kingfisher"
— Semi-automatic gun with regular output and firepower. Shoots laser beams. Though superior to the Peashooter in firepower, the laser is not strong enough to pierce hard shells. Because of the gun's mechanism, it does not need to be reoladed, but the cadence is reduced to 1.5 rounds per second, to avoid overheating.
— Cost: 1500 Points.
"So, stronger, but slower? Well, I guess two shots every three seconds isn't so bad... Though it's kinda pricey. For a supposedly 'weak' gun, eh?"
The "Kingfisher" does not need to be reloaded. Because of this, no Points need to be spent on magazines.
"Balancing then. Makes sense. Fine, give it to me!"
— Acknowledgded.
The new case that appeared was slightly bigger that the Peashooter's. The weapon inside had a long, rectangular barrel covered with superposing plates. Gaps for ventilation horizontally in the bottom of the muzzle, and the handle was made of firm rubber.
"Let's test it out!" Szeth said.
He grabbed the Kingfisher. It was heavier than Antinomy, but light enough that he didn't feel tired waving it around. It had a simple bit of metal as a sight, meaning it was probably meant for mid to short range.
Szeth held the weapon before him, gripping the handle as hard as he could, and pulled the trigger.
There was a deep buzzing that lasted less than half a second as the weapon heated up. The gaps between the plates covering the rectangular barrel glowed a deep cyan.
Then the bird fired.
Szeth's vision was streaked with a searing blue line that ran from the muzzle of.his weapon to the air in front of him at supersonic speed. It collided with the wall of a building, scorching a hole through the concrete.
The sound that came to his ears a second later was like a bird singing in a broken microphone.
"No recoil. It's got a nice distance... And it's not terribly loud. Good! I like it!"
He grabbed the holster that came with the weapon and affixed it to the same belt that carried Antinomy's sheath, in the part that went near the waist to his left. Holstering the Kingfisher, Szeth sighed.
"Hey System? Is there a syringe holster or something like that in your infinite catalogue? If so, give it to me, along with three more doses of Crimson Tears. No cases"
— Acknowledged.
The holster looked similar to the belt around his back. He fastened it to his waist, and placed the three patch-up shots on the opposite side of his gun.
All preparations complete, Szeth looked around.
No xenos had appeared yet. The city was a silent lump of concrete, pavement, rubbersteel, and a thousand holographic screens that crawled to the sides of the buildings like digital moss, now black or showing static.
Just as he started to think he should run to the next point, he caught a subtle buzzing in the wind.
This sound...
Mosquitoes?
But it was too far away. Szeth didn't know any mosquitoes big enough to make that noise from a distance.
Unless.
"Son of a bitch!"
His gaze trailed upwards, at the night sky.
It was littered with black-and-blue dots. They were moving erratically, and fast. And they were getting close.
Their insectoid wings made the air sing.
"I'm so fucking glad I bought that gun," Szeth said to no one in particular as the his hand drew the Kingfisher.
The Blight wouldn't be waiting for the Specter. It would bring the fight at him, with the cold, unintelligent efficiency only an alien infection could produce.
"Razorwings incoming!"
His shout was drowned by the droning of insect wings.