Modern Age Online

Kaleb and Roy finished dragging the hand into the pit. Roy seemed a little squeamish around the severed hand but he was powering through. Kaleb had them set the large hand down and set the disassembly to Assisted. The light blue glowing lines show up at various places on the hand and Roy seemed to become possessed as he took the claw off the little finger of the hand.

He looked like he knew what he was doing so Kaleb left him to it while he worked too. They removed the claws then cut off the fingers using a combination of power tools and their swords.

“I carry my sword around in the truck now.” Roy explained as they removed the fingers. “Mom got sick of me swinging it in the house.”

Kaleb nodded in understanding as he set the Ifrit’s middle finger on the floor. “You shouldn’t be doing that anyway, man.”

Roy seemed embarrassed. “How else am I supposed to practice?”

“I’ve been thinking of looking for sword-masters for the both of us. Trouble is, I don’t think a trainer will take you until you register.” Kaleb said.

“Correct, Professor. But I can look around for you.” Farrah said from Kaleb’s wrist.

Kaleb hadn’t thought about the communicator before he declawed the Ifrit. Now blood and viscera covered the device. Kaleb sighed and took off the wrist communicator putting it on the workbench.

“That would be great Professor.” Roy said happily.

Kaleb nodded as he set the last declawed finger on the floor. He looked at the five fingers and wondered how he would get the skin off, not to mention the meat. He left Roy to work and went to his laptop and looked up uses for Ifrit meat. He figured someone had to have a use for it. He found that Ifrit meat sold as delicacies in some magical restaurants. Also, it seemed people used it as pet food for magical pets.

Kaleb rushed into his house and grabbed several large plastic sandwich bags after hearing this. He went back into his garage and began cutting the meat from the fingers and put it into the bags.

“When you get another chance Roy, could you go out and pick up a large freezer? This meat will sell well.” Kaleb said as he bagged bits of meat.

“Sure thing professor.” Roy said sounding distracted. “Did you check your email?”

“No. Why?” Kaleb asked.

“Oh no reason, I was just wondering.” Roy said unconvincingly

“Roy, what did you do?” Kaleb asked a little worried.

Roy became slightly defensive. “It wasn’t me! Dad was just talking to some people and apparently word got back to the HLO.”

Kaleb sighed. “And…?”

“And check your email. It's a good thing I promise.” Roy said smiling.

Kaleb filled and set down the last plastic bag. “Always with the surprises. Why do people even like surprises? You know Rat-man was a surprise for many people.” Kaleb grumbled as he walked back to his laptop wiping his hands on a white towel nearby.

He brought up his email. After deleting a few emails from Farrah. He found two emails from the HLO. One was the itemized debrief of the park incident and the other was titled Legacy.

Dear Professor Pack Rat,

It has come to our attention that you have taken one of the Super Communities Legacies under your wing. The Streak was a pioneer for mundane Supers and he had a long and storied career. The HLO knows of Roy Nova’s ambitions to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. Friends and family informed Obadiah Nova of his grandson’s current working relationship with you. Afterward he got in contact with us and would like to offer you his help. He still holds the deed for a hideout location here in Austin. He is willing to part with the deed for the low price of 20,000 credits. If, however, you cannot or are unwilling to pay the price Obadiah has added a secondary payment method. He asks that you meet him out at his ranch in Galveston if you wish to hear the second option.

Thank you,

Marion Trussler

Kaleb rubbed his chin after reading the email. He felt he had really lucked out after meeting the Nova family. But, he wondered what the older nova had in store for him. He could probably make the money. It wouldn’t be easy but if he worked hard, he could do it. But a part of him wanted to meet the old hero.

Kaleb glanced back at Roy. The young man was slicing a line around the hand, preparing to take the skin off. He wondered if Roy knew of the contents of the letter. He decided it was best to ask.

“You know what this says?”

“No, not really. I only know grandpa had some kind of deal for you.” Roy said as he slid his sword carefully under the Ifrit’s skin.

Kaleb nodded as he closed out his email. He could handle that later through Farrah. Something told him that Obadiah’s test would not be something easy. For now he grabbed the sandwich bags and walked out of his lab.

Exiting his lab he heard the others quietly talking. They had lifted the Ifrits limbs and placed the plastic bins to catch the blood. They were sitting on his front stoop eating pizza and talking. His front door was open and he could see Mass just inside watching TV. As Kaleb approached, they turned almost as one.

Kaleb held out the sandwich bags to Jar-lock and Vivienne saying. “A present for the both of you.”

Jar-lock and Vivienne both recoiled in disgust. Vivienne exclaimed. “Why in the HELL would we want that?!”

“To feed your new pets.” Kaleb said smiling. At their curious looks he continued. “Apparently Ifrit meat is sold in high-class restaurants, used as fishing bait, and can be used as food for certain pets. One of which is the Lesser Ifrit.”

*Quack*

“That’s a lot of meat. What are you gonna do with it all?” Asked D43d–I.

“Sell some to local restaurants, hand it out to friends, save some for me, and who knows, maybe I’ll use some if I go fishing.” Kaleb said while shrugging his shoulders.

*Quack*

“Shouldn’t we get some of that money? We helped.” said the duck ruffling his feathers.

Kaleb stared down at the duck. “Technically, you opted NOT to kill steal us at the last second. But really I’m willing to bet you gave up your rights to any of the money when you left the corpse to me.” Kaleb didn’t want to argue about this but he didn’t care for the ducks tone or body language.

D43d–I huffed loudly before saying.

*Quack*

“I’m just saying I’m not seeing a lot of repayment for my decision.”

Kaleb shook his head surprised at the duck’s change of attitude. “You will, but how fast did you expect me to work I have to strip down this thing for parts and that takes time.”

*Quack*

“I know, I have to log off soon and I won't be back for a day. That is three days in-game.”

Kaleb nodded. “By then I should have something for you. Don’t worry, you have my word: you’ll get your weapon.”

*Quack*

“You see, you say that…” D43d–I began.

“Lay off duck-boy, the Professors good for it. Besides you know where he lives and I bet the Handlers have a recording of his promise to build us weapons for the corpse.” Said Jar-lock.

“True.” Curtis spoke up from Jar-lock’s wrist. “The HLO can use the recording enforce the contract. At the least the Professor will have to pay a fine for not holding up to the contract. At worse he would have to compensate you with something equivalent to the item promised.”

Jar-lock nodded and D43d–I sighed.

*Quack*

“I am sorry, I saw the clock winding down and thought there was nothing to hold you to a promise made in the street. The 3,000 credits for the Ifrit is more than enough for me. What are you going to do with all that money though?”

Kaleb shrugged off D43d–I’s attitude and answered. “Dude, I’m a scientist working out of my garage. All the proceeds will go toward getting my lab up to spec. Hell, I’m using a homemade smelter to craft weapons and nylon webbing from ratchet straps to hold my armor on. I’m scrapping by here.”

The others looked at him surprised. He could see that they hadn’t thought about how he had got his equipment. He figured they had just been buying their stuff. He had bought the odd item here or there but he had built all his gear himself. Am I making things harder for myself? He thought as his mind wandered.

A small cough sounded from behind him making Kaleb turn around. Roy was standing there, blood on his shirt and jeans.

“Sorry Professor, but I skinned the hand. So if we wanna get to the bones I gotta run and get that freezer you wanted. But you know, one freezer won’t hold all this.” Roy said.

Kaleb nodded as he walked Roy to his truck. Roy reached into the truck bed and pulled out a red 5-gallon bucket. Roy set it down in the driveway.

“That is the best rust remover dad has. Dad said you gotta let it set for a while though.” Roy explained as he got into his truck.

Kaleb nodded and waved. “Ok. I’ll see what I can do about the rest of this meat.”

He watched Roy drive off before turning back to the others. They were having a quiet conversation again so Kaleb headed back into his lab. When he entered, he saw the Ifrit skin laid out on a piece of metal tilted against the wall. The hand looked like a large lump of flesh without its skin or fingers. Kaleb picked up his communicator and asked Farrah.

“Hey Farrah, could you get me the number for a restaurant that might want Ifrit meat?” He asked.

Farrah’s voice spoke up. “Sure professor, I think there are at least five in downtown Austin. Any preference?”

“Not really.”

Kaleb picked up one of the Ifrit’s fingers skinned it as he waited. It took Farrah a few minutes before she found someone.

“I have a Diane Torero on the line for you, Professor.” Farrah said.

Kaleb took the call and said. “Hello Mrs. Torero I’m a Super -”

“I don’t care and it’s Miss. Now how much do you have and where are you?”

“No, thanks.” Kaleb said. “Cut it Farrah.”

It sounded like Ms. Torero was saying something but Farrah cut the call before he made anything out.

“You sure about this? She owns the most lucrative restaurant in the greater Austin area.” Farrah asked.

“Best not to deal with rude people.” Kaleb explained. “My temper is too short, and this deal is too important. She would say something else to make me anger and I’d blow my top. Probably blowing the deal anyway. This way is quicker.”

Farrah sighed. “You should know, it’s just business.”

Kaleb finished skinning one finger and picked up another. “Nothing is just business we are all emotionally creatures no matter how we try to hide it. Eventually emotions will come out, so it is best to account for them when making deals.”

Kaleb dug his sword into the fingers flesh and sliced when Farrah came back with another restaurant owner. This time Farrah put the call through without Kaleb’s go ahead.

“Hello? This is Edward Derana. Your handler said you had Ifrit meat to sell.”

Kaleb smiled, now this sounded like a calm business man. “Hello, Mr Derana. I am a Super called Professor Pack Rat and I do have Ifrit meat to sell.”

“ah, so what are we talking here? 2 or 3 pounds of Lesser Ifrit meat that's probably mean lasered with someone’s Blast-O vision.”

Why is it always the eyes with people? Kaleb thought as he said. “No, we dunked it in the river and cut its throat. There might be icicle puncture wounds or other ice based injuries too.”

“It? You only have one? What you and your buddies take down a Soldier or something?” Mr. Derana sounded bored.

“No, we got a Greater Ifrit.” Kaleb said.

“You got a what?!” Mr. Derana shouted.

“We dunked, then stabbed and threw icicles at a Greater Ifrit. While I’m thinking about it Mass slammed into its jaw and D43d–I shot into its throat wound.” Kaleb explained.

“Where are you? What condition is it in?” Mr. Derana almost demanded excitedly.

Kaleb smiled wide as his finished with the Ifrit finger. “So you are interested?”

“YES!!” Mr. Derana shouted. “Of course I am interested. Please tell me where you are. Getting that thing on ice is paramount for the taste of the meat.”

“I was hoping to negotiate for the bones, heart and other materials.” Kaleb said.

“That's fine, soup made from an Ifrit’s bones is disgusting and only a crazy person would eat the heart of a demon. Now please, tell me where you are.” Mr. Derana sounded close to tears.

Kaleb sighed and gave the man his address. He had been hoping for more of a back-and-forth negotiation. Maybe he could have gotten a Negotiation Skill or something. Mr. Derana thanked him profusely and hung up after saying he was on his way.

Kaleb stood and stretched. He decided to stop until the restaurateur arrived. He picked up the white towel he had been using to wipe his hands. The towel was stained orange now, Kaleb figured he would just throw it away. His hand slipped into a pocket in the towel and Kaleb stretched it out to get a better look at it. As he arranged what he thought was a towel in front of him, he realized it was another one of his new lab coats.

“SONOFABITCH!”