[Skill activated: Calm Mind]
Mikael had figured out something special about this skill. Despite its own original functions of calming emotions there were also other hidden benefits as well. If activated for long enough, his HP would regenerate faster.
After the fight, Mikael stumbled back to the truck. He was contemplating what made Skynet consider him a big enough threat to send 5 Terminators after him. This was a fact that still deeply displeased him. Even the protagonist of the world did not experience such an experience. But he had another thought. Was it simply Skynet's involvement that had caused this change or did the System have some part in this. Mikael had done nothing yet to warrant such attention from Skynet, so Mikael had more belief of the system creating this current predicament. Why would it cause such a change? His answer came soon after. Could it be because he was a champion, could it be because of his Innate ability, could it be because of his worth? Zoe had said so herself, Champions brought change both within the tower and the mission world. Whether the change was good or bad, it was still change.
It was like Mikael was contemplating these deep questions that he met the strangest sights he had ever seen. The Terminator the one he had shot in the head, but it had not died, he found it currently laying on its back its arms and legs moving erratically and arcs of electricity running throughout its figure. There was certain comedic appeal to its movements.
"At least one of us didn't have to work today" Even with his words the Terminator continued its erratic movements. The bullet must have damaged something important within its head.
'Bang.'
[Title Machine Predator progress 5/10]
[Dreamer has earned 10000 Dream Points for killing a T-800]
[Milestone achievement met. Survive first wave
Rewards: 50,000DP, 1 Free attribute points, +25 Favorability with Sarah Connor, +20 Favorability with Lawful factions]
He took the machine out of its misery and hobbled back to the car. It was no surprise to him that standing out the car and watching in quiet worry was Sarah Connor. Her hands clutched as if in prayer and her eyes slightly red and watery with unshed tears. The moment she saw him; her short legs immediately carried her running towards him. Halfway there she jumped forward, and Mikael easily caught her within his hands.
"Welcome back." She did not cry, but within her trembling voice he heard her clear relief. Her arms tightened further around him and she buried further into his chest.\
"Glad to be back Sarah."
…
After another 30-minute break within the car, Mikael moved back into the Forest to collect all the Terminator bodies and parts, he also obviously collected the present Loot Keys that had dropped along with the Death of the Terminators. It was quite a haul. Sarah had also been curious about the machine people as she said in her own words. Mikael was unsure how to proceed with that conversation. Should he outright tell her that they were her enemies sent to kill her in a near future. He turned to looked at the obviously tired girl who was nodding of to a morning song on the radio… He'd tell her later.
…
They had arrived back in the city. The deserted streets filled with a range of cars as well as the early office workers. Mikael had driven to some top-of-the-line hotel and booked the grand top suite of the building. A city-wide view of the city and a comfortable bed to sleep on were quite worth it in his opinion. The fact the system had given him enough money to do this made things even better.
[
Special Item: Security Trust Bank Card
Grade: Colorless
Specifications: A bank card offered by the Security trust of Los Angeles to its patrons. The card has a spending limit of One Million dollars
Effects:
1. Allows you to buy anything within this mission world as long as the dreamer is able to afford it
Requirements: The permission of Dreamer White or in use of Dreamer White
Attributes: None
System Remarks: Visiting the Security Trust of Los Angeles for a surprise!
System Remark: Cannot be taken outside of this world
]
Sarah had fallen asleep after her initial excitement of the glamour of the hotel. It had taken Mikael great assurance that he would soon return after his leave to get her to do so. Other than that Mikael was assured of her safety for the moment.
His next goal was first to restock on ammunition and explosives and then if possible, he would investigate the side mission.
Mikael had initially planned to search for a weapons shop for such an endeavor, but the presence of his identity had changed that line of thinking. The Identity of an F.B.I agent that was and all the benefits it brought along with it.
[
Special Item: F.B.I Badge
Grade: White
Specifications: Credential for members of the Federal Bureau of Investigations
Effects:
1. When shown to others, they immediately raise their favorability temporarily by +50. People will more likely answer your questions
2. The wielder of this badge may give orders to others.
3. The wielder of this badge has the authority to arrest others or mark them as a person of interest
a. Dreamers who are arrested will have their crime index immediately raised
b. Dreamers who are put under arrest will experience a 10% Debuff in all their stats lasting 30 minutes
4. The user will experience a 10% Buff when fighting for Justice
Requirements: Only usable by Dreamer White
Attributes: Acts that may be considered unlawful may reduce the effectiveness of this badge
System Remark: Cannot be taken outside of this world
]
Even better was the two-way radio whose function he did initially not understand until he had read it stats. And Mikael could only laugh at the unfairness of privilege. But this laugh would soon turn to a scowl when he recalled that it was this same privilege that almost got him killed by 5 Terminators. So, Mikael was quite in a hate-love relationship currently.
[
Special Item: F.B.I Two-way Radio
Grade: Green
Specifications: A device used by officers of the law to receive and send information over distances
Effects:
1. The Dreamer is allowed to listen to any available channels and undertake the possible missions that are generated from these reports
2. The Dreamer is allowed to request for back up from other officers
a. Note the more officers that die under your request the less likely others are to come to your aid.
b. The more missions you accomplish in favor of Justice the more likely officers will respond to your call.
3. The Dreamer is allowed to ask for Information through this device
Requirements: Can only be used by Dreamer white.
Attributes:
1. The Dreamer currently has a faction Favorability of Trusted Ally [60/100]
a. Requesting backup will drain 20 Favorability points and a unit of three officers will come to your location.
b. Undertaking missions in favor of justice raises Favorability
System Remark: Unlocking Revered Favorability unlocks special functions
System Remark: Cannot be taken outside of this world
]
These two items were powerful in this world. It was like a cheat code for a variety of things he could both want and need. And Mikael was about to use one of such features to accomplish his Side Mission.
At that moment he parked another car he had borrowed and walked quickly arriving at his destination in mere seconds. The Los Angeles Police Department.
He pushed the door inwards his entry attracting attention, maybe from his abrupt entry or maybe even from the fact that he was extremely handsome. The benefits of unnatural charm. Just this morning while leaving the hotel he had already received the numbers of five different women.
But Mikael did not care, he walked directly to the customer support desk. A pretty blonde lady immediately meeting his eyes. She broke into a smile instantly, the once annoyed blankness turning into charming seductiveness. She even leaned her chest forward slightly, giving Mikael a better look.
"What can I do for you handsome?" She smiled charmingly and fluttered her eyes. Mikael found her quirks amusing but he was not in the mood.
"I would like to speak to whoever is in charge here." Mikael said easily, pulling out and showing his F.B.I Badge from his pocket. The ladies' smile quickly disappeared, replaced with a sort of panicked rash.
"Ahh, Agent White, I'm so sorry by my unprofessional behavior…" She started to panic and quickly apologize but Mikael immediately stopped her.
"No need to apologize Mrs. Taylor, In fact I was deeply flattered by your compliment." Mikael offered her a charming smile and that looked to do it. The red rose in her cheeks and her panic quickly disappeared to a hot steamy look.
"Ahem, Mrs. Taylor…" He coughed, reminding her of his purpose and she finally stopped looking at him and quickly checked.
"Aha, I see it here Agent White. I see you have an appointment with Lieutenant Traxler. You can go right ahead. I'll make sure to inform him you're here." She fluttered her eyes seductively as Mikael moved to look for the man in person.
But her words attracted his attention, what did she mean he had an appointment? The only possible results for this situation he could think of was the fact of his Identity as an F.B.I Agent. This all smelled of a possible side mission or even multiple. As he recalled the news from the radio as well as the descriptions for the F.B.I Badge Mikael could only believe so. Huhh Privilege was truly beautiful.
…
The room had a depressing aura to it. Predominantly grey and black, curtains almost completely pulled up putting the room into darkness, files stacked and haphazardly thrown on the desk and a heavily used ash tray with about six cigarette buds already used. The man in question was already smoking another cigarette at the moment.
"So…Agent White, I'm happy to see you arrived safely." Ed Traxler said as he sat comfortably behind his desk. He had a satisfied expression as he felt the smoke burn through his throat. Mikael noticed his otherwise youthful expression as well as his growing stomach. The pay for the job must have been doing wonders for him.
"Yes, I arrived as soon as I could. Why don't you brief me on what's been happening Lieutenant Traxler." Mikael asked. He was unaware of what exactly he was supposed to do here or how to proceed so he passed the ball to Traxler. He preferred not to say the wrong thing.
"Agent white would you like some coffee before we begin…[Cough] Beginning approximately three days ago, there has been severe spark of crime throughout the whole of California. Bank robberies, shoot outs, school shootings, suicide bombers and increased mass killings. "Lieutenant Traxler released a puff of smoke his eyes showing the seriousness behind his words. While Mikaels attention was still on him fully, his eyes had already quickly read over the Stat values of the offered drink. A quite good surprise.
[
Item: Coffee Up!
Grade: Low Tier Green
Specifications: Consumable
Container Material: Aluminum can with food-grade interior lining to prevent flavor transfer and corrosion
Volume: 250mL
Ingredients: Brewed coffee (water + ground coffee beans), optional sugar, milk or cream, and natural or artificial flavorings
Caffeine Content: Approx. 80–180 mg per can
Seal & Preservation: Vacuum-sealed with nitrogen flush to maintain freshness; shelf life generally 6–12 months unopened
Weight (Full): ~280–400 g depending on size and additives
Effects:
1. Hyper action- The user will enter a state of hyperactivity for a period of 3 hours
2. I can't sleep! - The user will find it very difficult to fall asleep after making use of the item
3. Stamina Up- The user will have increased Stamin for a period of 3 hours
Requirements: None
Attributes: May cause a burn out aftereffects wear off.
Warning. Do not drink more than 2 per day
System Remark: Drink more than 3 at once, see what happens
]
"What I'm about to say may sound strange to you Agent White but I believe that there is involvement of supernatural factors to these acts of crime. Maybe even the involvement of possible machine people." Traxler had leaned forward, a deep troubled look on his face, and Mikael returned him an urging look. Inside he was rejoicing at his quick swiping of the coffee into his storage. He was already thinking of how he would get more.
"But I have what I believe is evidence of this supernatural occurring Agent White, if you would allow me…" Traxler stood up motioning the TV and Mikael nodded, urging him to proceed. He was more curious if he should ask for the Coffee now or after Traxler had finished showing him whatever he intended to do. Mikael was still waiting for the side mission notification though. That was what he expected from all this build up at least.
Traxler moved quickly, taking out a tape from who knows where and quickly inserting it into the video player.
…
The video started.
The first showed a car running away from a police chase, the police were shooting at the car but somehow the car would dodge almost strangely at the shots. Even stranger was the fact that the people within the car were dangerously hanging out from the car, laughing and shooting back wildly at the chasing cops, they showed a great excitement.
The shots that landed on them were seemingly shrugged of by the people who did not even seem to mind at all. By a stroke of luck, the tyre of the car was struck and the car crashed violently. Even shocking, the people within this car walked out mostly unscathed and started running again as they laughed.
The clip changed, this time it was a sort of bank robbery, the robber was pulling out explosions from nowhere and throwing them out at random structures and people.
The clip changed and showed a lone figure directly facing multiple police office. The figure had a blank stone-cold expression. He was not wearing a trench court and within his hands was both an Ak47 as well as a shotgun. The figure was being shot at by multiple police officers, but the bullets did nothing to him, they bounced of his body and after the officers stopped shooting the man unloaded his own bullets upon them, instantly wiping them out.
"There's this last one you must see. It happened just yesterday." Traxler quickly forwarded to the one he wanted Mikael to see.
This one showed a video of a multiple people fighting, and what attracted his attention was the place where they were fighting itself. Security Trust of Los Angeles…That was the name where his own bank card was from. And where he was hinted to go.
The multiple people fighting showed a variety of strange physical abilities as well as abilities. But there was one specific person who had caught his attention. This person was tall and excessively large. He wore a bloodied white apron, the white color covered under what he believed was both blood and filth, a pair of boots and a bloodied hockey mask. What attracted attention to this figure was the rate at which he was killing all the other fighters within the brawl. His efficiency further supplemented by the chainsaw within his hands.
It was truly a blood bath of great proportions. One that the man in the hockey mask looked to deeply enjoy. After the fight had ended. Those who had chosen to run had already done so and those who chose to die had already done so. The Hockey mask man remained. He moved into the bank…The video ended only after he walked out a strange weapon within his arm one that immediately caught Mikael's attention.
…
Mikael was troubled. No, he was pissed actually. If he could not add two and two, he would be deeply disappointed in himself. First, he had already confirmed the presence of other Dreamers within his Newbie mission. The reason for this he did not know, he could only speculate. Something else he understood was the fact that there were not as many restriction on using ones abilities and system features as he had originally thought. The third thing he came to understand was the fact that he was fucked by the actions of the Dreamers at the Security Trust of Los Angeles. The reason for this was simple, Mikael believed that weapon that was taken by the Hockey mask man was the one he himself was supposed to originally have used to accomplish his mission.
Why would he need that weapon. All roads pointed to the fact that on the final day the T-1000 would appear, and he would likely fight that machine. While Mikael was strong, he believed there was no way in a direct fight he would win against that shape shifting monster. So, this was already a major disadvantage on his part. But the missions, as Zoe had told him should always be fair. There would always exist a possibility of winning, it was up to the Dreamer to figure out how.
With hints such as the Bank card he received, Mikael believed that that would have been the lead that would have taken him to the Security trust of Los Angeles and then eventually to that weapon that could possibly aid him with his fight against the T-1000, but with the death of that possibility, what was Mikael supposed to do now. He waited for Trexler to continue while he planned his next steps.
"I haven't been sleeping well since I've seen these recordings. Some part of me wish to believe they're nothing more than exaggerations. But the bodies… the bodies of my comrades say otherwise." Trexler rubbed his forehead, taking another deep puff of the sweet release. Mikael finally noticed the redness in his eyes and the anxious way his fingers tapped the desk. He had originally though them to be side effects of addiction but now he knew they were results for something else.
"What do you need from me Lieutenant. The fact that you've showed me all of these recording mean there's something you want." Mikael leaned back into the chair. He waited for what he already knew was to happen.
"Yes… yes. You should know this already, but I reported my finding to the higherups, and they ignored it saying if I wanted to be a movie director I should quit first! Even under my insistence they still only sent you…What I need from you is to bring back any sort of evidence, which we will use to prove what I'm saying to be true… Can you do that Agent White? "Trexler said and with the end of his words, the text he waited for arrived.
[
Side mission Activated
Side mission: Proof of the unnatural
Description: Lieutenant Ed Trexler had been recently troubled by the blatant acts of both the Dreamers and the Terminators. Help him find real evidence that will prove he is not going crazy as well as act as enough proof for his superiors.
Time Limit 24HRS
Mission rewards: Unlock the Anti-terror squad, you have full access to request for back up, Increased favorability with the law, +2 Attribute points
Mission failure: Lose of all favorability with the Lose Angeles Police department as well as Ed Traxler
]
[Accept Mission: Yes/no]
Was there any though in what Mikael was going to choose, the answer was very simple in fact. 'System I accept'
"Yes, I can Lieutenant. But before that, bring me more Coffee!"
...
A/N.
Last chapter for the week, hope you enjoyed. See you again next week for more
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