Chapter 31

　　Kal restricted access to the Vault, something somewhat redundant since he discovered that only he could carry items out of it without the doors automatically closing and locking would be thieves inside. It had only been revealed when Tan tried to carry out the Tiara, the thick metal doors sliding closed before him.

　　He left the tiara in the vault until Tan and Miranda could contact the relevant Imperial Bureaucrats to retrieve the payment. An item so valuable as the Lunite Tiara would be a perfect target for criminals, and it would be better for the item to remain on Caledon until handed directly to an Imperial Agent.

　　Aside from the Tithe, Kal authorized Tan and Miranda to make gradual investments in local businesses using his Grandmother`s hoarded wealth, using the profits to provide for some on-planet charities. He would only reveal his fortune in tiny trickles lest it draws unwanted attention.

　　Tan was so thrilled with the revelation of the vault`s contents that he promptly quit his position at the Imperial Bank, fully becoming Kal`s employee and the new Minister of Finance for the Barony. As the months passed, Kal`s trust in the former banker grew.

　　While he waited, Kal used his time in the VR world, completing several more small missions and tasks before he earned enough credits to purchase a Combat Exosuit.

　　Walking into the shop on the island city of Atland, Kal perused the possibilities on display. Exosuits came in numerous variants, ranging from lightly armoured and highly mobile to bulky giants nearly 10 feet tall and able to see their wearer through a pummeling.

　　Customizable in colours, shapes and options, it could be overwhelming for a beginner, especially as they were expensive and rookie players lacked the funds to purchase multiple suits for experimentation and flexibility.

　　Kal, who sought to train in Virtual Reality to prepare for the real thing, selected an Exosuit that matched what his House Guards on his estate used.

　　The Agamemnon Systems Mark XIV Achilles` Combat Exosuit complemented everything he sought. Although not as powerful, agile or armoured as variants from other manufacturers, it made up for its lack of features with its adaptability.

　　The Achilles` was a Jack of all Trades, Master of None` type suit. Able to be customized with attachable modules by its user, it was much more expensive than any of its counterparts out of the box` but could adapt to whatever Kal needed.

　　The problem with the Exosuit, aside from its exorbitant cost and expensive add-ons, lay in its adaptability. Even with its modules, it could never be as good as a specialized suit. It would never be as strong or fast as a variant designed for that purpose.

　　It was also notoriously difficult to use. Pilots were expected to be able to master all of the Achilles` systems and their modules. In comparison, other suits could be constructed in such a way as to lower the difficulty and strain placed on their operators.

　　Finally, it was an inefficient power hog with operating times less than three-quarters of what other Exosuits could function. Not a problem on his estate or with access to a Starship or power bank, but on a long campaign, it limited its use.

　　Still, it could be used at full power for 12 hours before requiring a charge, which is not an issue for Kal.

　　Standing in the shop before the black Exosuit, Kal hovered his hand over the purchase` button before tapping it lightly. In the top right corner of his vision, he watched his banked credits rapidly deplete, leaving him nearly as poor as when he had arrived on Triton.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

　　Thank you for your purchase! Your item has been delivered to your private storage area!` A notification popped into existence in front of him, with a small, floating cartoon character of a smiling woman flashing him a thumbs up` sign cutely.

　　Shaking his head at the display, Kal approached his rented storage compartment in a nearby warehouse where all his excess equipment and items would be stored. The open space contained rows of rolling metallic doorways, each with a number displayed on its surface. Finding his unit, Kal lifted the door, finding his suit already waiting for him.

　　It was on a stand, mechanical hands gripping it by the shoulders to keep it upright. Unlike real life, colour and decals could be customized through a small virtual menu, a concession to the game likely demanded by the players wanting to differentiate themselves without the cumbersome process of going through a shop and waiting for paint to be applied.

　　A Data Terminal was connected to the Exosuits stand, showing a few options for configuration. Flipping through the screens, Kal decided to keep the suit wholly black and plain, his hatred of embellishments coming through even here.

　　He only acknowledged his individuality by adding a small symbol to the chest piece. A white circle that represented Luna City, although only he would know that. Satisfied, he clicked accept,` watching as the symbol appeared on the armour as if by magic.

　　The Exosuit was slim and humanoid, standing over eight feet tall. Its black surface was metallic and reflected the light, its anti-laser coating giving it a glossy look to its surface. The helmet was enclosed and could be removed, although it opened in the back like the main torso, enveloping the user in its protective cocoon.

　　The Achilles` reminded Kal of the ancient Greek warrior from Old Terra that inspired its name. The helmet, body and limbs were moulded in the cast of the mythical warrior. There was even a crest coming from the helmet and sweeping backwards majestically.

　　There were small connection slots fitted in different parts of the Suit, allowing upgradeable modules to be installed, which Kal had foregone for now until he grew accustomed to the base model.

　　The Suit and Helmet were open in the back, splitting apart to allow the operator to enter. The suit would automatically enclose them, Sewing` itself sealed once it had done so.

　　Moving to the rear of the Armour Stand, Kal took a deep breath before gingerly stepping into the Exosuit. It began to seal behind him, a thousand metallic clicks ringing out as it wrapped him inside.

　　Trapped in darkness with the cool interior pressed close to his skin, Kal was instantly reminded of his time in stasis, suspended, unable to move, the slow grind of centuries wearing away at his sanity. His heart thundered in his ears, and he panted, unable to catch his breath.

　　With agonizing slowness, the outside world was revealed to him, the Exosuits sensors coming online. The neural link between man and machine deepened, allowing him to feel the suit`s exterior as if it were his skin.

　　The panic remained. Kal`s thoughts kept twisting around his time in stasis. Of the worlds he crafted to escape that torture, his repeating of the past. It was too much. The clasps of the Armour Stand released with a hiss, freeing him. Off balance and unaccustomed to the Exosuit, Kal collapsed onto the ground.

　　There, lying prone on the ground, his eyes sightlessly staring at the virtual reality around him, Kal`s mind rejected the link.

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　　The VR Terminal`s lid slid back, freeing Kal from its enclosure.

　　With a scream, he leapt from its confines. Panting and panicked, he paced the storage room like a cornered animal with a thunderously angry expression. He was infuriated and scared, worried and filled with despair. A hundred different emotions raged through him.

　　Kal couldn`t shake the memories and feelings of the Stasis Chamber. His imprisonment was still fresh, it had only been a few months since he had been freed, and he had been so focused on reclaiming Caledon, of helping those around him that he had ignored his mental troubles.

　　With a shout, he slammed his fist into the hard concrete wall of the storage room. Again and again, he pounded it, screaming and cursing at each impact. His knuckles bled, and his genetically enhanced bones left indents in the concrete from his assault.

　　It felt like ages passed before he began to calm down, his emotions numb. Kal was alone, hopelessly so. He was the foundation for many people around him, the wall they could lean on. But what did he have?

　　There, in the dimly lit storage room, Kal wept.