The Original Beefcake

"Our next endeavor will bring us to Munich-1/1/5/4, an average planet with no known special traits. It is a level 2 world, but as so often this is based on limited information." Alistair said and tapped the large screen in the conference room of the Cromwell estate. The screen depicted some basic information about the planet and the portal. "Our goal is found about 1200 km north of the portal, in a mountainous area." Cromwell continued and another picture showed up. It looked roughly like a satellite view, but instead of optical information it showed something else.

Alistair saw Marcus squinting his eyes and explained, "Over the last years it has become more and more common to use micro satellites with electromagnetic sensors to look for high concentrations of iron and other metals, as ruins commonly have a lot of these elements. It is far more efficient than trying to find ruins via optical methods, even with AI support." Marcus nodded and now he saw the small local concentration of metals north of the portal's position. It was highly unlikely that this would be a natural formation. Whether this was worth the trip was a different matter, though.

"The distance and the environment make this raid more difficult than usual. We can expect high altitudes and cold weather. Because of this we will go with three trucks and supplies for at least a month. The preparations are already ongoing, and I expect we will be able to start in four to five weeks," Alistair said, and Marcus could see Janette shiver next to him. "Cold. Ugh," she said, and made a face as if she had bitten into a lemon. Since Helsinki she had developed an aversion to cold climates, Marcus knew.

"Achara and Kou are still out, but at least we have a full-blooded tank now," Carlos said, and smiled at Marcus, who nodded shyly. "Don't be so modest, Marcus. We all have watched your duels. You can easily go for a damage dealer too, in addition to being a tank," Rita said, and gave him a bright smile. She really has changed, Marcus thought. "All true, but I would rather have Kou's abilities and Achara's scouting. No offense Marcus," Hammond said, without holding back and Grace chuckled.

"We are starting from Germany, Marcus. Home sweet home!" Janette suddenly said, and a few people laughed, including Marcus. Besides a few, very short trips, he hadn't been to Germany in years. It was hardly his home anymore. "That is actually one of the problems this time around," Alistair said, and rubbed his chin. "Originally, I couldn't get permission from the German government to go through the portal. They are giving less and less permissions to independent groups these days. I had to find a work around." This news made everybody sit up.

"To get permission I had to turn our raid officially into a UN expedition, we are going to take some civilians with us," Alistair said, with a smile that made several people grin, but Marcus couldn't follow. He looked around and Candis gave him a smile, still somewhat flustered, because of her accidental reveal of Xeen.

"Carmen, Malcolm and Bianca. You remember them? We have been working with them several times over the last four years. They have been very helpful," Candis explained, and Marcus smiled from the bottom of his heart. He was looking forward to seeing the scientists again. After this reveal they spent a few more hours going through all manner of logistical considerations. It was a boring topic, but vital for such a complex mission.

Before long they finished their planning, and after a great dinner they already said goodbye and went back home to Italy with the private jet. On the way back, Marcus used the time to think about the future raid. In his mind, everybody seemed extremely professional about it. No wonder, they had made x raids over the last years, Marcus thought. Don't worry. You have gained at least as much, if not more, experience over the same time. When it comes down to it, nobody in the group knows how to survive as well as you do.

Thank you for the uplifting words, Xeen.

It is the truth, nothing else.

The days after the meeting were very busy with planning and preparations for the raid. Marcus also spent a lot of time with Kou in the workshop, sometimes working, but often just talking. It was a place to get away from all the trouble, at least for a short while. Following a sudden crazy idea from Kou, they smashed a hole into the wall to the nearby storage room and expanded the workshop. The newly created space was transformed into a makeshift recreation room.

Here, they sat down around a space heater, drank beer and soda and talked. You couldn't call it a 'men cave' because Janette and Grace very quickly found out about it and joined them regularly. Why this was better than sitting in the large comfortable common room in the villa was beyond them. But at night they huddled around the humming heater and talked about crazy ideas, dreams and their sorrows.

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Two weeks into the preparations the sudden arrival of a convoy composed of bullet proof cars at the front gate caused the whole estate to panic. Vivian Shan had come for a surprise visit. "Please take a seat. It isn't fancy, but it is all I have right now." Marcus offered Vivian a chair in his office and quickly got rid of some papers. His guest wore a simple business suit and had passed on jewelry or fancy make up. In truth, the Artificer looked drained, as if she had barely slept for some time and not eaten enough. In contrast to that, her eyes burned with a fire Marcus hadn't seen before.

"It is quite alright and thank you for meeting me unannounced. I realized we should have exchanged our special phone numbers," Vivian said. She sat down on the simple chair and put a long, silk wrapped object on her lap.

Given her looks, I would say she was able to make use of the hints we have left her.

I am inclined to agree with you, but let's hear what she has to say.

Vivian accepted some water from Marcus and then nobody knew how to restart the conversation. Silence followed until Vivian took a deep breath, "I wish to express my gratitude for the tremendous gift you have given me," Her expression was serious. "Were you able to make use of it?" Marcus asked, and Vivian smiled. "Yes. I have spent the last weeks immersing myself in the wisdom you have provided me," she said, and gave him a faint bow.

- keep my double spaces stupid program -

Vivian watched Marcus Freimann with sharp eyes. Since last time she had seen him, her opinion and thoughts about him had completely transformed, and now she was carefully observing him. Her impression from the past still held true, Marcus was bending the world around him in a way she couldn't explain. "I would hardly call it wisdom. Just a small mind teaser," he said, with a bright smile. Vivian had trouble keeping her excitement in check, "No matter what, I would like to offer you a small token of my gratitude. A simple product of the insights I have gathered thanks to your 'mind teaser'." She unwrapped the bundle in her lap and handed the sheathed sword to Marcus.

He took the weapon and carefully pulled the sword out of its protection and revealed the silver blade. Marcus seemed to inspect the weapon for some time and nodded as he did so. He is satisfied with my progress, Vivian thought and a wave of relief rushed through her body. "It has four enchantments. Improved toughness, improved hardness, heat resistance and weight reduction, which I learned from your 'riddle'," Vivian said, and Marcus looked impressed. "Are you sure I can keep this? It looks very expensive," he asked. Vivian waved it away, "It is nothing compared to what you have provided to me." It was the truth. The last weeks had been nothing short of revolutionary for her craft. She had created the first four enchantment item on Earth and had improved her skills beyond her previous limits.

Marcus smiled and looked into her eyes for a few seconds, as if he was debating something. Then he opened a drawer and took out a folded piece of paper and shoved it over the table to her side. Vivian's heart was about to give out. It can't be, surely not! She had secretly hoped for another opportunity, but just like this…so casually…. With shaky hands she took the paper and opened it. Twelve rows of symbols awaited her, and she forgot to breathe. TWELVE! Her eyes feasted on the even more complex depictions, now presented in a more neat and orderly fashion. She couldn't take her eyes off this treasure, no matter how rude she was to Marcus. For several minutes she sat there and was fully absorbed in her own world.

- keep my double spaces stupid program -

Marcus watched Vivian with a faint smile. He had no intentions to hurry her.

It warms my heart to see her so invested in these simple things. She will make a good student.

Marcus thought about the 50 pages that were still in the drawer. Xeen had made him prepare them in anticipation of the next meeting with Vivian. If she knew what was in the drawer she would die of a stroke, he thought. Eventually Vivian looked up and said "Marcus, if I make items with this knowledge, the other Artificers will pick up on it. More than that, with this," and she held up the paper, "I doubt even my extensive security measures will keep me safe. They will come after me with whole armies, this powerful is what you have given me!" She said, and Marcus saw true desperation in her eyes.

Of course, Marcus had thought about this problem and it was by no means minor. Vivian was right, there was most likely no place on Earth she would be safe once the news of her enhanced skills got out. "There might be a solution, but you would have to completely change your life," Marcus said, and Vivian's eyes widened. "Mihr Jhel," he said, and Vivian gasped. Marcus could see her thinking hard, furrowing her brows and staring at the paper in front of her. "Is there more?" She whispered, and Marcus nodded with a faint smile. He could see how determination filled her eyes and her body tensed up.

"If the ginghi take me and promise to protect me, then I will go," Vivian said, and Marcus nodded. "Very good. For now you should return and concentrate on studying. I will talk with the ginghi. I am confident they will welcome you with open arms." After a moment he added, "Vivian, this will change your whole life, I would underst-." Vivian shook her head, "The moment you gave me the manual, I stepped on a path that I can't leave again by my own will. This is what I want," she said, with a firm voice and with this it was decided.

After Vivian had left together with her entourage, Marcus walked over to the training field where Grace was right now finishing her session. He watched her perform a complicated attack pattern with her two swords. Once her focus was on Marcus he casually lobbed the sword, he had carried, into her arms. "Your new weapon," he said, and watched her reaction. Grace put her blades away and carefully drew the sword out of its scabbard, her eyes widened in shock. She wielded the weapon and swung it a few times before she inspected the blade with great expertise.

"Marcus, do you know what material this is! Have you any idea how much this weapon is worth?" She asked with heavy breaths. "It has four enchantments. Improved toughness, improved hardness, heat resistance and weight reduction," Marcus said, with a dry voice and Grace needed to sit down.

"Four," she whispered, and he nodded. "It is a gift from Vivian Shan. A thank you for the help I, or better Xeen has given her. I think it would be better not to tell people about the enchantments and maybe we can paint it a bit to hide its true nature," Marcus suggested and Grace agreed. "The only reason why I am not breaking out in tears and dissolving on the floor is my Light Soul…. Thank you Marcus." Grace said, gently touching the mythril sword. Marcus shrugged his shoulders, "You are our top member and you use swords. It is a logical decision." With a wave of his hand as goodbye he walked back to the villa. There was a big grin on his face. Already, Marcus could hear the weapon cutting through the air behind him, the blade sung in her hands.