I checked out the Appearance Options next.

  [ Change Thematic Expression of the Hub ]

  [ Current Expression: Inner-Self ]

  [ Change to Khalai Theme ]

  [ Change to Kaldorei Theme ]

  [ Change to Lordaeron Theme ]

  [ Change to Krieg Theme ]

  [ Change to Nomad Theme ]

  I tapped my chin with my index finger, pondering which to try first. I absolutely wanted to change the look of the place, my Inner-Self was terribly depressing. My first inclination was to go with the Kaldorei Theme. I could do with some greenery. However, I also wanted to see what the Khalai version of this space would look like. Now, I certainly wasn't tempted by either the Krieg or Nomad options. I already had enough issues with depression as it was. The Lordaeron option was a distant third, no offense to the hard working people of that kingdom, but the medieval ascetic didn't feel right for me.

  Well, it wouldn't matter too much, I was sure I could change it later if the Theme didn't suit me. I went with the Khalai option. The Hub rumbled. The Utilitree's power draw increased with a horrendous clatter and disharmonic humming sound. But that was it, anticlimactic.

  When I went back to the Master Floor, Living Area, the space was now similar to the Command and Control area. The walls and floors clad in crysbronze with the patterns of psicrystal embedded through them. The psicrystal patterns pulsed in a slow and pleasing fashion. I knocked on the wall, yes the transformation had actually changed the structure to real industrial grade crysbronze, meaning the building was now much sturdier. Excellent.

  I walked to the windows, now made of treated transparent psicrystal. This leant a slight blue tinge to everything. And given that the pylon's light was already adding an overlay of blue to everything, now my Hub was awash in that color. If felt a bit like we were underwater. This didn't bother me in the least, I was too stunned by the alteration of the other buildings. Each was now a small cylindrical spire of crysbronze and psicrystal, wide at the base and thinning rapidly towards the top. The roadways were made of energy or perhaps the nearly transparent version of psicrystal, I couldn't tell from this high up.

  This was a far grander view than the AI generated nightmare of my Inner-Self. I didn't want to waste time on self reflection right then, but I needed to know at some point why my subconscious mind picked that appearance. The answer would probably say a whole lot about me. Maybe it would be better not to know.

  Curiosity satisfied, I returned to Alina and we spent the next few hours planning her build orders and experiments to perform while I was gone. We discussed my options back in the normal world. We both had no idea if it would be useful to leave her with workers or not, but she could find that out later. I did already have plans for the Probes and Wisps that'd finish building before I'd have to leave again.

  Interesting Note: The new Wisp Infused Probes seemed to come with a fully developed personality right out of the box. Each was unique, which made it less surprising that they all came with names, much like my other summons. That the names were all serial numbers didn't matter, it was a new paradigm. A step in the right direction for my little Robo-Buddies. Their beeps to each other were of astonishment at their new situation. They found existence to be fascinating. I wished I shared their viewpoint more often.

  When we finished planning, I still had time to explore and gather some supplies. Now that I had my squad of Probes, we could carry a lot more goods back to the normal world. With that in mind, I hit up the much changed Value Tree. If only I could figure out how to get a discount.

  Once outside I took a moment to look around. The view from the ground level was truly amazing. Treeside no longer looked like a Megabuilding it looked like one of those cutting edge Skyscrapers from my original world, it'd maintain the the general square shape, but there were odd touches of the Khalai style here and there. Turned out that the roads were actually made of transparent psicrystal. Fancy. The only thing that had remained the same were the purple grass fields, though I could make out the tiny spec of the new farms in the far back corners of each. I'd have to examine those later, I didn't want to lose the shopping time right now.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  All in all, I was very pleased by the changes.

  In the Value Tree, I found some pretty cheap hover palettes, from some technologically advanced alternate Earth out there. My Probes could easily work them, so I bought five. Each palette could hold 5 tons, and I meant to use every bit of that and more. Three were filled to capacity with MRE crates, I owned supplies to the Kriegsmen and more, and I would fulfill my obligations. That said, I'd no idea what they'd been living on, or how many of them were down in the tunnels now.

  I loaded up the other two palettes with supplies for my food truck idea. Mostly things for simple foods, like tacos, burritos, and sandwiches. I might get funky with it down the road, but this would do for now. Next I loaded up three, refrigerated backpacks with personal goodies. Things to fix for myself and the roommates back at the apartment. I carried one and put the others on the two Probes with Warframes. They didn't like being used as haulers, as they took the war part of warframe seriously. But they still did it anyway, as a favor to me.

  With a little time left, I checked the Token shop for any goodies. Only one stood one to me. Boy was it a doozy.

  [ Omnimechanic Version 20017

  Price: 10,000,000 Eddies

  100,000 Task Points

  50,000 Company Points ]

  You could bet your sweet aunt, that I was interested in this class. I'd have to spend Company Points to get it though. Thanks to my earlier shopping spree, my Eddies were running low.

  Hmm, I was going to get, Jaina and Probius back this time. Alina had suggested, that I also get Korvaith back as well. When I'd used the Reduce Restrictions Tokens on her and Meadran it open up the options for some actual Khalai and Kaldorei to be summoned. Korvaith would be able to give me access to Kaldorei Hunters. The Probes would also now be able to build a modified Gateway allowing access to Zealots. There would be limits to how many I could summon, but just having such allies could be quite beneficial.

  However, I'd still have plenty of Company Points left to get this class. So I did. The improvement to my soul was noticeable and immediate. That slightly hollow feeling inside, that I did my best to ignore, was now almost gone. One more class, and my soul should be whole again. But I couldn't go slotting in anything willy-nilly.

  No, the lesson taught by my acceptance of the Voice of the Emperor was clear, my classes had too much of an affect on my personality. But my real mistake was leveling the classes too fast. With each change my soul needed time to adapt. I sped ahead and nearly lost everything, including myself. I suspect this is why the Company explains nothing, they want you vulnerable, confused. Though I still didn't know why they wanted this.

  Though I'd never admit it out loud, my Case Worker might have done me a favor. A horrible, painful, terrifying favor. Nope, never mind, fuck that guy.

  With about an hour left, we went to the Hub Options Pillar at the intersection. For a moment, I wanted to raise my levels, that quick rush of power was addictive and I missed it, but I held back. I kept reminding myself this was a marathon not a sprint.

  Instead, I opened up the Ransom Option and bought back Jaina, Probius, and Korvaith.

  They simply appeared with no fanfare. It was as if they were always there, we just hadn't seen them.

  Jaina threw herself at me, which almost triggered my Gunslinger reflexes. Somehow it workout alright. Her hug was warm, and pleasant, and very, very welcome. We always seem to forget how much we need to be touched. That forgetfulness was probably the only thing keeping most people sane.

  After a few minutes of silent comfort, we separated.

  "It is good to see you again, Jaina." My voice held a purring growl. Odd, I didn't mean to do that.

  "My Lord, I would recognize you, whatever form you had taken. Though I have to say, the Night Elf form does indeed suit you." Her smile was radiant. It was a shame I'd have to leave soon.

  "Are you aware of what has happened?" I asked my returned companions.

  "Yes, My Lord. The Company had us filling out paper work, while you earned our ransoms. While none of us like it, Raynor is especially displeased. His course vocabulary is very impressive. However, we remain generally aware of your situation. We were all eager to return to your side, and seek revenge on our tormentors." Her voice was full of anger and pain. Understandable.

  "Probius, though we haven't had time to get to know each other, I look forward to working with you." His beep of acknowledgement was far deeper than his smaller brethren. We'd have to design him his own Warframe soon.

  "Korvaith, I'm glad you've been returned." He growled, but it was a growl of approval. A tree of few word, Korvaith. Somehow, he still had the massive cannon of a rifle we'd made for him. Excellent. That would certainly come in handy.

  "Jaina, I'm sorry to summon you and then have to leave you here. Please, forgive the rush. You'll find Alina on the top floor of that building." I pointed at Treeside. "I hope you two can work together, to optimize the production of useful goods here." I rested my hand on her shoulder, she was so small now. I suppose that I'd been trying not to focus on that difference in height, but her proximity drove it home.

  "Do not fret, My Lord. I shall endeavor to bring everything under control here, please focus on getting our people back." She meant it, she was happy to help. Time filling out paperwork seems to have allowed her the time necessary to process her feelings about our past troubles. Another unexpected benefit of our situation.

  It was time to leave. I ushered the Probes with the pallets through first, and then The Warframe Probes and Probius. Next went Korvaith, and I left last, waving my farewell to Jaina.

  Of course, I'd forgotten something.

  [ There is not enough room at the last known exit point. ]

  [ Rerouting... ]

  Fuck.