A rumble is heard from the underground, raising a peak in the ashen earth of the Zone.
The pressure in the mound increases dramatically, detonating with the brilliant silverish blue flash of the Neutronic Warhead that N'Ïrk fired, making a crater that has several hundreds of meters in diameter.
However, the most relevant fact is the destruction of the Zone Nucleus, which causes two outcomes immediately.
The obvious one is the empowerment of the Frontier. The Zone's Border becoming so dense and energetic, that it crushes and severes the ram like tunnel employed by the Coalition Troops.
The second change is where the Units (Money) lies. Any organism that is no longer considered alive. It quickly rots, leaving tiny multicolored icosahedrons in their place.
The environment in the Zone is altered in a mere blink. No more burned trees or roasted Rätten's corpses, not even the deceased soldiers of the Coalition, just the equipment that managed to survive the shooting and the explosion that caused the Zone's make over.
"N'Ïrk?, Are you alive?". Asks Lidia through the intercom, receiving static due to the residual radiation of the nuke like blast.
"You better be alive young man". Madame Lamar calls with seriousness. "You destroy two of my drones and damaged another six. You know how expensive are they?".
"No idea, but they are not worth their price, i was able to track them". Acknowledges N'Ïrk as he placidly walks out of the crater, heading to the Zone's entrance.
"I have to go. My other wait period has finally finished. I have a fly to take. Discount from my share of the profits, to pay you back. 20% of this quick delving should be more than enough, and Madame Lamar, you still owe me a date, but i prefer a dinner, along with all that compels".
"What does this man meant by, leaving, Lamar?!". Complains Veanive, but the leader of the Purple Bitch Squad just sighs. "The contract tied him to be in the Zone until the Nucleus was destroyed. Now that such outcome has happened, this is not longer a Tier 4 Zone, just another Zone".
"I know that, Lamar!".
"Who cares about you?!". Retorts Sonia with a grin. "We only needed him because it was mandatory by the annoying Robbers of the Institute. Still, what is that about 20%, Boss?".
Madame Lamar sighs again. "He divided the profits into equal parts. Not based into the percentage of participation. Otherwise, he would have 89.85% of this delving income".
"Wow!. Thanks N'Ïrk!. I usually don't get more than 0.6% of the revenue!. N'Ïrk?".
"He left the communication chanel long ago Lidia".
*Oh*. "N'Ïrk really likes to feel the rush!. Doesn't he?".
*Jha*. "He surely is equally boring and hasty in bed". *Jha*. Scoffs Veanive to herself, as Lidia has already kicked her from the Squad's intercom chanel…
«•»
Seven hours have passed since N'Ïrk entered the Zone. Now, he is boarding a luxurious space cruiser, a Multi-Species resort and one of the few transports that can safely transit between the domains of the different super powers that rule the galaxy.
The protection enjoyed by the company that owns the ship is even higher than what any diplomatic dignitary would ever receive.
The reason is simple, though it's a resort, The Nï'Vay, like all its homologous sisters, is a cruiser ship, even if it doesn't look like one, it can compete with, and beat Warships. An achievable deed thanks to the powerful Emeneld covering it's structure, and the sturdy hull that is thicker than what is truly necessary, on top of being equiped with self repairing nanotechnology.
Which is why is so sought by Embassadors and CEOS. After all, no one wants to be on bad terms with the hot chick that everyone cares for.
"Why do you have an antimatter grenade?".
N'Ïrk sighs. "For the umpteenth time. I am a Six Star Porter. I can use everything in my luggage and i paid for it. Like i did for the permission to carry it in the ship. I have the electronic confirmations right here, dumbass!".
The young man is pointing to the holograms displayed by his smartwatch. Being in the verge of beating up the potbelly security guard that pulled him for no reason.
The guard keeps stalling for time, which is an actual aberration for N'Ïrk, as he has repeated the same answer forty eight times in the past seventeen minutes.
"Young Man. Porters have a maximum of Four Stars. You shouldn't lie…".
N'Ïrk roars, his pupils constraining into menacing slits, and his fangs turning bigger with a metalized black shade.
"I don't know what shit hole you crawl from. But on Dhägna'Hür, Five Star Porters are not that rare!. There are two or three per continent each year since the Zones started to appear almost 7 decades ago!".
*Tch*. "You should search for a more believable excuse young man. Which is not going to help with falsifying the permits or your status as a «Six Star Porter». You can go to jail".
The second guard continues comparing the data, checking the permits and seeing when N'Ïrk's status is changed from Six Star Porter to Eleven Star Enrouted.
The guard trembles, the best Enrouted his world has produced, is a renowned Eight Star Enrouted. Trying to ignore his fear, he sees who authorized N'Ïrk to carry his equipment, reading «Head of Security Hát'Thöry Verführen».
He immediately nudges the potbellied guard, who is frozen in place after reading the name in the permit.
"We regret the inconvenience, the boss is new and we did not recognize the signature, we hope for your understanding".
N'Ïrk grunts with feralness and takes his belongings as he finally pass the security check, and receives a call from his friend, Harinder Rafner, although is a woman who speaks. The little sister, Hayden Rafner,
"Where are you Ni-Ni?".
"Walking to my cabin, the security in this place is awful!. What kind of stupid company doesn't put signatures along names?!".
*Hahaha*. "Yeah. I agree. We had a similar inconvenience with the friends of Harinder's Girlfriend".
*Hahaha*. "So you are mad at your bro for bringing that skinny, buttless, airhead chick".
"Yes!. I don't know what he sees in this stupid toothpick!".
*Hahaha*. "They are making out, aren't they?".
*Nah!*. "She got shy as soon as she heard your voice. Did you two date?".
"No, she simply sucks at sucking cock, which applies to her blant kisses too".
*Ew!*. "I didn't want to know any that!".
"Then don't ask".
"You could simply say «We didn't date, Hayden». Now she is redder than a ripped strawberry and all timid, clinging to Harinder in a dumb attempt to incite pity. I think she will cry just to be hugged. Pathetic!".
*Hahaha*. "I am leaving my luggage in the cabin. Where are you all?".
"In the lounge. Come fast. I am bored out of my mind, waiting for the toothpick to get unconscious with the alcohol in the air, so i can finally have a nice chat with someone who doesn't sighs about Harinder's muscles or the curls in her own hair".
"What about the toothpick friends?".
"They are getting drinks and taking some time, one of them is so hot, the other. Well, you can have her".
"How magnanimous!. Gimme a few minutes, I am already on my way".
N'Ïrk reaches the lounge, basically a saloon, neon lights, a lot of aliens, chill beats as environmental music and the atmosphere has a lingering scent of wine.
"Omitting the idle minutes. I am loving this place!". He is looking around, searching for his acquittances and taking notes on the behavior of the aliens, some are dancing, others are playing games, making out or being more than a bit touchy with their companions.
The vibe is incredible, and doesn't take long before N'Ïrk approaches the table of his friends, listening to the conversation.
"Yes. She was seeing Lidi-Di's stream with the Purple Bitch Squad, and this Porter that came to assist them". *Mhn*. "He is fire!, almost clearing the Zone on his own. And she was repeating over and over again the scenes when he was flexing his muscles. Right, Danika?".
"He wasn't flexing!".
"I got it, you fall for him. Remind me. What was his name?".
"N'Ïrk Ignay'Thus".
"Did you call for me gorgeous?"…