Announcement
PreIntegration
Ch 4
Feeling refreshed after the bath, I quickly stuffed my clothes into a drawer and the toys into the bottom one. I'd figure out the rest later. After a few minutes with my makeup, I tried to look normal instead of stressed.
My phone went off with several chimes. The bulk of the text notifications were from Tony. As I read through them, He found some trainers along with the requirements I had requested. But the last text caught me by surprise.
Hey, so I know you only wanted female trainers, and I get your reasoning, but the last person on the list is an old buddy of mine from my army days. Special forces. I talked to him, and he is willing to teach you shit that some MMA fighter or Sword Master can't teach you. I don't know why you have this sudden change of heart, since you never showed interest before. But talk to him, at least take a couple of lessons from him.
Maybe learning from Tony’s old army buddy really isn’t a bad idea. I barely know about the military just from the movies, so I’m clueless. Popping a sandwich in my mouth, I realized Ari, my guide, was gone. I still had plenty of questions, but maybe I wasn’t her only concern. Letting the note about trainers sit for now, I turned my attention elsewhere.
Turning back to my messages, I saw Katie had texted. Weird, I wasn't expecting to hear from her until later in the week.
So they canceled the tests for the rest of this week. Make up next week. A big storm is rolling in later tonight. Want to start the weekend early? You know how much I hate being stuck inside by myself.
I squealed, and I felt Ari watching me. I had that feeling someone was looking over my shoulder. That little succubus was on my shoulder, reading my text. I gave her a look, but she just smiled in a way that was both sweet and too hot. Guess she decided to give me a few minutes to catch up with reality.
Lack of privacy from my guide was frustrating. There must be a privacy option. I mentally added it to my to-do list before texting Katie a quick, enthusiastic yes with plenty of smiley hearts.
With that done and a few sandwiches eaten, I said, “Are you good, or do you want me to dismiss you, Ari?” Standing up, I drained my cup of the last of my tea. Even if I couldn’t dress up, I figured I should at least fix my hair and put on some makeup. I definitely didn’t want to look like a total slob.
“I have to go. I have things to do. You aren't the only one I guide.” With that, she disappeared with a little pop. So cute.
Heading into my bedroom, I decide Katie and I will go online tonight to Amazon and splurge on house decorations. The whole place desperately needs a makeover, but is it worth it? I have so many other, probably more important, expenses. I glance at my hair and sigh. No time for anything fancy, so I just wrapped it into a high ponytail, the kind you want to grab. I grin at my reflection, then stare at myself as my hands automatically add a bit of makeup. I don't really need it, but I did it anyway. Is this what happens when you have an actual Charisma stat?
The description said during preintegration our stats were lower than expected, so I'm left wondering about the real numbers. I found myself a bit excited when Katie would get hers. She might spot things with the stats that I missed. I'm reactive, not a planner. Leaving my bedroom, I was worried by the System's insistence that I set a designated safe zone. There seemed to be a focus on survival skills and combat right, or am I being paranoid?
I've never had faith in humanity as a whole. If things went sideways, I’d expect the worst. Throw superpowers into the mix. That's what the System’s giving us. I’m definitely not expecting anyone to do the right thing. Honestly, I don’t really care about anyone outside my little circle. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t help out or protect those weaker than me, but I’m no hero.
The doorbell rang, snapping me from my thoughts. Forcing a smile, I opened the door to greet the building manager. I had to admit, she was attractive. She was at least six feet tall, with long, dark brown hair in soft waves past her shoulders, wearing a business suit that flattered her figure and large chest, which caught my attention.
As I breathed in, I could smell her desire as she looked me over. That didn't surprise me, but her scent was different.
“Hi, Renee. I'm Sara Garner.”
I didn’t hide my excitement as I met Renee’s gaze. Her scent hit me: apples, cinnamon, feminine shampoo, and underneath, something masculine. Then I realized she was Trans. Hot on so many levels.
Wait, since when was my sense of smell this good? I’d been like this since waking up.
“Come on in. Do you want anything? Coffee, water?”
Closing the door, Renee’s eyes lingered on me. That annoying whisper in my head started again as I followed her to the living room. Was I actually swaying my hips like that? Yeah, I was.
“No thank you. Aside from saying hello, I wanted to make sure you know everything about your penthouse. Did you know there's a private shelter under the building?”
Wait, what? Either I’m absurdly lucky, or the System is making things easy for me.
“From your face, I’ll guess not.” She smiled. “Good thing I like surprises.”
Wait, was she flirting with me? I couldn't help myself, looking down, wondering just what Renee was packing in those dress slacks. And of course, I giggled at her comment. Yeah, I fucking giggled like a dumb bimbo slut. Mentally sighing, I let it go. “So where are we going?” cause seriously, I felt like I knew this penthouse pretty well after spending like ten years here growing up.
Seeing Renee look around for a second before, with a confident stride, heading to the maintenance door in the hallway. As she led me forward, she went over some of the other amenities that I already knew about. Still, it was good to be reminded of them. She opened the door, revealing where we kept the penthouse's cleaning supplies. This was also where the water cut off, and the breaker boxes were installed. I watched Renee open the bottom box with a small key, revealing not more breakers but a card slot. I watched her slide a key card through the slot, causing a portion of the back wall to slide back and to the side. So the yellow lines meant more than just don’t stack shit here.
“Wait, that was there all this time?” I stopped myself before sounding more clueless, but Renee didn’t seem to judge, which made me like her more. “This is amazing. I have so many questions.”
I saw that smile hit Renee's very feminine features as the elevator door opened, and she waved me in. It was slightly larger than a standard elevator. I assume it was to move larger items down.
“This elevator goes straight to your bunker. Since you’re in the top penthouse, it’s the only one with its own floor. Others share space, but you can use the common area too.”
I was shocked. My first thought was how much Grandpa paid for this. “So it’s not a secret then?” Since we’re downtown, there must be permits and public plans. Not to mention the builders.
“No, but we added many security features. You won’t get uninvited guests. Some use the space as an extra room, a storage area, or a work area. We keep it stocked and check everything every six months.”
The elevator opened to a big living space. Plastic covered the furniture and counters. I stepped out, amazed. There was a living room and a full kitchen. Renee let me in further, then touched my chin.
“You should close that before it gets mistaken for a glory hole.”
Wait, did she just? No.. Blinking a few times as my brain was in overload, I closed my mouth, but of course, not before putting my foot in it. “Well, it's been used for worse.” Of course, I couldn't stop the words once they were out, but wait, did I just detect a stronger scent of lust emanating from her.
“The tour, Miss Garner.” Her words pulled my attention back to why we were here. “As you can see, you have a standard living room similar to the penthouse floor plan. Open kitchen with an island, including all the accessories a proper chef would need. You have a separate water storage and generator through this door here.” She opened a door set against the living room wall a few feet to the right of the elevator.
“Enough for a week of conservative use. This isn't a long-term solution, but the generator can be recharged if you can hook it to solar panels or another energy source. The water tank can also be refilled. You have two entrances. One leads to the common area, which in turn leads to the building's main lobby. Your second exit leads to a maintenance room and up to a nearby subway station.” The door leading up was in the same spot as where the office door was between the living room and dining room. Easy enough to remember,
Nodding, I started walking around, wondering what else I didn't know about. Found two bathrooms, both full, one in the main hallway, another in the Master bedroom. Aside from the large Master bedroom, there were two smaller bedrooms accessible from the hallway. Everything was furnished, covered in plastic, giving the place a sanitized yet spooky feel. There was a food storage room that connected to the kitchen, as well as another smaller room from the living room that had a small armory. Stocked.
That caused me to suck in my breath, and I quickly closed it, not entirely sure how to process everything. I sat down on a couch as Renee continued to explain things to me. Suddenly, a blue text appeared over my vision.
Do you wish to claim this space as your shelter?
Processing
Congratulations. You are the fifth person to claim a personal shelter that meets or exceeds requirements.
Your shelter consists of two floors.
To configure your shelter, use the shelter tab.
Calculating rewards.
Gain one level.
10000 shelter points
10000 credits
Free upgrade to System Shop
I quickly minimized the notifications so I wouldn't look spaced out. Hearing her question of concern, I smiled and nodded, “Yes. Sorry. This is just.. It's been an overwhelming twenty-four hours. Just wasn't expecting this and hopefully never need to use it, but.” I let my words trail off for a moment, just blinking back the tears that threatened to come out. Renee, to her credit, didn't bat an eye. She just came and sat next to me, feeling her light touch, long nails through the t-shirt I wore.
“I am sorry, I didn't know I would have...”