Lair by Carl Stubblefield (recommended reading TXT) 📕

It cannot be raised by any form of training, like other stats. In your case, I am unsure if your luck stat can truly be ‘locked’ as other stats can be. Nth can limit functions that improve strength, agility, constitution, intelligence and perception based on leveling. Usually this protects the host from overreaching and hurting themselves with the thrill that leveling and stat boosting provides, until they develop and intuit their limits and capacities.

“When luck increases, however, it often appears to be random and unattributable to any particular set of circumstances. Luck is not ‘luck’ as is traditionally thought of in folklore and myth. It is the ability to consciously and subconsciously change and influence quantum possibilities. It cannot be suppressed by any outside influence, and it is largely influenced by expectation and intention. This means that if you expect to fail, reality can bend to accomplish this purpose, despite overwhelming resources. The opposite is also true. It is also difficult to quantify, as few individuals know how to utilize it to any effect, as it is related to some theoretical manipulation of forces as of yet undefined to the Nth. Unlike other stats, it is more an approximation based on your past history.”

“So, literally, check yourself or wreck yourself,” Gus said with a chuckle.

“Truer words were never spoken, Gus.”

Chapter Thirteen

Somewhere on a Beach

Day 4 2:14 PM

10:22:22 remaining

Wearily, Gus arrived back at the building. His eyes scanned for any signs of the zombies lying in wait. Bracing himself to run, he slowly approached with Razorback Prime at the ready to fend off anything that made any sudden moves.

As he stepped into the open, his mind tried to take in how much work would be necessary to keep this area as clean as it was, free from the wild encroachment of the jungle. The path began to level out again onto a cultivated lawn and the aroma of citrus and flowers wafted up to Gus’ nose. His stomach gurgled in protest at his limited diet. Some fruit would be a welcome change. He could use a little more variety.

A pergola became visible as the path turned a corner and more of the building came into view. It was covered in flowering vines so that it gave total shade to the patio with chairs underneath. More of the building was visible here, and a large section of it peeked out of the rock. Gus took it all in with awe; the amount of time to hollow out the rock to build the structure must have taken years. His eyes dropped down to the patio, which continued onward into shadow.

Meaning to make his way to the shade, Gus stepped onto the grass. With the first step, two large cylinders shot up from the edges of the lawn, sending plugs of sod skyward. Wedges of light emanated from the thin pillars and scanned up and down Gus’ body. He froze, not wanting to set off some type of alarm or defense system.

A familiar pre-Nick autotune voice spoke up from the pillars in unison, “First generation nanobots detected. No activity detected for: forty-four point three years, since completion of installation. Current status is: standby mode until claimed. Are you here to claim and activate the installation?”

“Answer ‘Yes, installation claimed by Gus Vannett, direct all command functions to this voiceprint and bioscan,’” Nick insisted in Gus’ mind.

Gus did so, and the pillars shouted, “ACKNOWLEDGED!”

“Do you wish to reallocate power to basic life support systems in the manor?”

“Sure, I mean yes,” Gus stammered.

“Acknowledged. Transferring power. Please wait while systems come online and Methiochos manor command functions are updated.” They then shot back underground as fast as they had appeared.

“Does that mean what I think it means, Nick?” Gus asked with a huge grin on his face.

“If this is how you manage with a luck stat of seven, imagine what will be possible when you level up!” Nick said, with as much unbelief as an artificial intelligence could muster.

He tried the front doors and found that they were still locked shut. Nothing for it but to wait. Gus removed his sandals and luxuriated in the softness of the grass. Despite the threat of zombies, the pylons mentioned that no one had been by the manor for over forty years. And that sod that flew up, if there had been something prowling around here, wouldn’t those have already been uncovered? The realization went a long way in putting to rest his fears that the manor was full of zombies, or that more were lurking right outside. Possibly some unseen security.

He was excited to find out what was inside the manor, but the pleasant scents of the citrus mingled with the essence of cut grass, and its utter softness was a soporific that could not be denied. Lying down in the shade, Gus drifted off effortlessly into a nap, as he let go of the day’s tensions and relaxed.

###!###

At a cave entrance a few miles away, pylons that had stood raised for years, with bright blue energy arcing between them, winked out for the first time in memory as available power was transferred to other systems. The creatures that loitered at this location raised their heads, some lazily, others with a quick snap. One blob-like creature facing the pylons blinked its many eyes as the pylons shut off, and then noiselessly sunk back into its subterranean receptacle. The blob sent a visual record of what had happened to its master below.

The One faded out of a dazed stasis. It had awaited this and had compelled the others to stand watch, remaining as motionless as possible to conserve energy. Over the years, the few animals that strayed into the fence and were cooked as they passed through were quickly set upon and devoured by its guardians, then the sentinels returned to their vigil. The creatures began to stir as they awaited instruction from their master, the desire to hunt awakening with urgent intensity, having been suppressed too long.

###!###

Gus awoke