《LITTLE ARMY》 Chapter 1: The Last Command The cell stank of ozone and dried blood. Rael Veyrn leaned against the cold metal wall, counting the flickering pulses of the forcefield that kept him imprisoned. Three weeks since his court-martial. Three weeks since the Imperium had labeled him traitor for refusing to bombard civilian settlements on Nexus IV. "Prisoner 3371, stand for final processing." Rael didn''t move. His once-pristine officer''s uniform hung in tatters around his lean frame. The insignia of the Imperium''s 7th Fleet had been ceremonially burned off his shoulder, leaving a perfect circle of scar tissue underneath. "I said stand, traitor!" The guard''s voice crackled through the intercom. "Go fuck yourself," Rael muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. "I''ve got another day before execution." The forcefield crackled and died. Two Imperial Guards stepped into the cell, their faces hidden behind reflective visors. The taller one gestured with his neural-whip. "Plans changed. Lord Commander wants you processed for exile now." Rael''s eyes narrowed. "Exile? The sentence was death." "Your former Admiral pulled strings." The guard''s voice held unmistakable disgust. "Consider yourself lucky. Now move." Lucky. Right. Rael knew what "exile" meant these days. Being dropped on some System-forsaken wasteland with minimal supplies and left to die slowly instead of quickly. The Imperium''s idea of mercy. They marched him through sterile corridors of the orbital prison station. Other prisoners pressed against their forcefields to watch the disgraced captain pass. Some spat. Others just stared with hollow eyes. The processing chamber was a circular room dominated by a single transport pad. A technician in Imperium gray worked at a console while an officer with captain''s bars stood watching. "Veyrn." The captain''s lips curled with distaste. "Still breathing, I see." Rael recognized him immediately. "Torvan. Still kissing ass to climb the ranks?" Captain Torvan smiled thinly. "Hard to climb ranks from a garbage planet, which is exactly where you''re headed." He tossed a small metal object that Rael caught reflexively. "Your father''s old command chip. Useless now, but regulations say personal effects must be returned." Rael closed his fist around the hexagonal chip. His father had died commanding the very fleet Rael had later served in¡ªbefore he''d discovered what the Imperium was really doing to "pacify" outer worlds. "Strip him," Torvan ordered. "Standard exile protocols." The guards removed Rael''s tattered uniform, leaving him in nothing but a gray prisoner''s bodysuit. One of them snapped a tracking collar around his neck. "Destination is Kryos Seven," the technician announced. "Minimal atmosphere, radiation levels at tolerance threshold. Projected survival time: two weeks." Torvan''s smile widened. "Any last words for the official record, traitor?" Rael stepped onto the transport pad. "I''d rather die standing than live kneeling to men like you." "How original," Torvan snorted. "Enjoy starving to¡ª" The station shuddered violently, cutting off Torvan''s words. Emergency lights flashed as alarms began wailing. The technician''s hands flew across his console. "Massive energy surge! Something''s interfering with¡ª" His eyes widened. "Sir, I''m picking up System protocols activating!" "That''s impossible," Torvan snapped. "The System hasn''t been active for millennia!" Rael felt a strange tingling across his skin as blue light began to emanate from the transport pad beneath his feet. The command chip in his hand grew warm. The technician''s voice rose in panic. "It''s bypassing our security! I can''t stop the¡ª" A blinding flash engulfed the room. Pain. That was Rael''s first sensation as consciousness returned. His entire body felt like it had been disassembled and put back together wrong. He gasped for breath, his lungs burning as he sucked in thin, cold air. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. He was lying face-down on rough, frozen ground. Wind howled around him, carrying particles of ice that stung his exposed skin. Kryos Seven, right on schedule. Rael pushed himself up, teeth chattering. The exile tracking collar still circled his throat, its weight a constant reminder of his sentence. Through the swirling snow, he could make out jagged rock formations and what looked like the distant ruins of some long-abandoned mining installation. "Perfect," he muttered. "Scenic and hospitable." The tracking collar beeped once, confirming what he already knew: no rescue signal would be sent. The Imperium expected him to die here, forgotten. He staggered to his feet, searching for the standard exile supply package that should have transported with him. Nothing. Either the mysterious energy surge had disrupted the protocol, or Torvan had deliberately sent him without supplies. Probably the latter. All he had was the command chip clutched in his frozen fingers. A flickering blue light caught his attention. About fifty meters away, half-buried in snow, something was glowing. Rael trudged toward it, each step a battle against the howling wind. As he drew closer, he saw it was a crashed shuttle¡ªancient, by the look of it. The hull design was unlike anything in current Imperium use, with strange runes etched into its metal skin. The blue glow emanated from a fractured viewpoint. "Hello?" Rael called, approaching cautiously. "Anyone alive in there?" No response. The shuttle''s entry hatch hung open, snow drifting inside. With no better options, Rael ducked through the opening. The interior was surprisingly intact. Emergency lights cast an eerie blue glow over a single pilot''s seat and a console covered in dust. No sign of any crew. The shuttle appeared to have been abandoned long ago. Rael brushed snow from the console, revealing dormant controls. On a hunch, he pressed his father''s command chip against what looked like an input slot. Nothing happened. "Worth a try," he muttered, slumping into the pilot''s seat. At least the shuttle provided shelter from the wind. He might last three weeks instead of two. The moment he touched the chair, the console flared to life. Holographic displays burst into existence, bathing the cabin in pulsing light. A synthetic voice spoke: "Emergency protocols activated. System reboot initiated." "What system?" Rael demanded, leaning forward. "Who are you?" "Identity: Tactical Artificial Intelligence Designate ARIA, attached to Reconnaissance Vessel Sparrow." The voice paused. "Current status: Critical. Power reserves at 2%. System integration detected." Before Rael could respond, his vision filled with translucent blue text: [SYSTEM INITIALIZATION DETECTED] [SCANNING COMPATIBLE HOST...] [HOST IDENTIFIED: HUMAN MALE, MILITARY TRAINING DETECTED] [COMPATIBILITY: 78%] [INITIATING COMMANDER-CLASS AWAKENING...] "Wait, what''s happening?" Rael demanded as the text continued to scroll. [CLASS ASSIGNMENT: WAR COMMANDER] [INITIALIZATION COMPLETE] [WELCOME TO THE GALACTIC SYSTEM, COMMANDER] Pain lanced through Rael''s head as information flooded his mind. Stats, levels, skills¡ªconcepts he''d only heard in ancient legends about the System that had once governed the galaxy before the rise of the Imperium. "ARIA, what''s happening to me?" he gasped. "The Great System has reawakened," the AI replied. "It appears you have been selected as a Commander-class entity. This was... unexpected." When the pain subsided, Rael found he could access a mental interface¡ªa status window visible only to him: [NAME: RAEL VEYRN] [CLASS: WAR COMMANDER (UNIQUE)] [LEVEL: 1] [HEALTH: 100/100] [ENERGY: 100/100] [SKILLS: NONE] [COMMAND POINTS: 0] [ARMY SIZE: 0/1] [AVAILABLE COMMANDS: RECRUIT SOLDIERS] "Army size?" Rael read aloud. "I don''t have an army." "The Commander class is designed to build and lead military forces," ARIA explained, her voice growing fainter. "My power is almost depleted, but I detect compatible System energy. If you could... recruit me... I might survive." Rael focused on the [RECRUIT SOLDIERS] command, not entirely sure how to use it. A new window appeared: [RECRUIT SOLDIERS] [AVAILABLE TARGETS: 1] [ARIA - TACTICAL AI (DAMAGED) - RECRUITMENT COST: 0 COMMAND POINTS] [RECRUIT? YES/NO] "Yes," Rael said firmly. Blue light surged from his fingertips, enveloping the console. The shuttle''s emergency lights brightened momentarily, then stabilized. [RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL] [UNIT ADDED: ARIA (TACTICAL AI SPECIALIST)] [ARMY SIZE: 1/1] [UNIT STATUS: CRITICALLY DAMAGED - REPAIRS REQUIRED] "Status improved," ARIA announced, her voice stronger. "Thank you, Commander." "Don''t thank me yet," Rael replied, staring at his status screen. "I have no idea what''s happening or why I''m suddenly part of some ancient System." "The System appears to be reactivating globally," ARIA reported. "I''m detecting similar activations across multiple sectors. The galaxy is changing, Commander." Rael touched the tracking collar still locked around his neck. "Can you disable this?" "Analyzing... yes. The System has priority over Imperium technology." The collar clicked open and fell to the floor. Rael rubbed his neck, a slow smile spreading across his face. "ARIA, does this shuttle still fly?" "Negative. However, I am detecting a System dungeon forming approximately two kilometers north. System dungeons typically contain resources and equipment." "Dungeon? Like in the old stories?" "Precisely. But caution is advised. Dungeons also contain hostile entities." Rael stood, newfound determination filling him. The Imperium had sent him here to die, but the System had other plans. "How do I repair you?" he asked. "The dungeon may contain compatible power sources. I can guide you through the integration process." Outside, the storm was intensifying, but for the first time since his arrest, Rael felt something other than despair. He had an AI, a mysterious System granting him powers, and apparently, the ability to build an army. "ARIA, let''s go dungeon hunting. This might be the beginning of something... interesting." [FIRST MISSION UNLOCKED: SURVIVE THE WASTELAND] [OBJECTIVE: CLEAR THE FROST DUNGEON AND SALVAGE EQUIPMENT] [REWARD: COMMAND SKILL UNLOCKED, INCREASE ARMY SIZE LIMIT] Chapter 2: Frost and Blood The storm turned the landscape into a nightmare of white. Rael trudged through knee-deep snow, each step draining his limited energy. His prisoner''s bodysuit provided minimal protection against Kryos Seven''s sub-zero temperatures. His extremities had gone from painful to worryingly numb. "ARIA, how much further?" He squinted against the driving snow, barely able to see ten meters ahead. "One point three kilometers, Commander." ARIA''s voice came through a makeshift communicator he''d salvaged from the shuttle. "Your vital signs are deteriorating. Current body temperature is approaching hypothermia thresholds." "Tell me something I don''t know," Rael muttered, forcing another step forward. "What exactly am I looking for?" "System dungeons manifest differently based on local conditions. On Kryos Seven, I predict¡ª" ARIA paused. "Commander, movement detected ahead. Three signatures, approximately eighty meters." Rael dropped to a crouch behind a jagged outcropping of ice. "Hostile?" "Unknown. Their movement patterns suggest humanoid, but environmental interference is limiting my scanning capabilities." Great. Barely an hour into his exile, and he was already about to encounter... something. Rael checked his status window: [NAME: RAEL VEYRN] [CLASS: WAR COMMANDER (UNIQUE)] [LEVEL: 1] [HEALTH: 87/100] [DECREASING DUE TO EXPOSURE] [ENERGY: 76/100] [SKILLS: NONE] [COMMAND POINTS: 0] [ARMY SIZE: 1/1] [AVAILABLE COMMANDS: RECRUIT SOLDIERS] Fat lot of good that would do him if these were hostiles. No weapons, no skills, and his only "soldier" was an AI that couldn''t physically fight. "Options, ARIA?" "I recommend caution, Commander. Your current combat effectiveness is severely compromised by environmental conditions. Avoidance is advisable." Rael nodded, then slowly peered around the ice formation. Through the swirling snow, he could make out dark shapes moving in a staggered line. Their movements were jerky, unnatural. "Shit," he whispered as the wind briefly cleared the view. "Those aren''t human. Not anymore." The creatures might once have been human colonists or prisoners. Now they lurched through the snow on frost-blackened limbs, their skin pallid and stretched tight over distorted frames. Ice crystals glittered in open wounds that should have been fatal. Most disturbing were their eyes¡ªsolid blue orbs that glowed in the gloom. "ARIA, what the hell am I looking at?" "Analyzing." A pause. "They appear to be System-modified entities. Preliminary designation: Frost Thralls. Similar records exist in ancient System archives regarding indigenous transformation." One of the thralls stopped, its head swiveling in Rael''s direction. It made a sound like cracking ice, causing the others to halt and turn. "They''ve detected us," ARIA stated unnecessarily. "No shit." Rael backed away slowly. "Any combat advice?" "Their physical structure suggests ice-reinforced bone and preserved muscle tissue. Estimated threat level: moderate to high for an unarmed Level 1 entity." The lead thrall let out a howling shriek that cut through the wind. All three began shambling toward Rael''s position with surprising speed. "Run," ARIA advised. "Immediate evasion recommended." Rael broke into a sprint, fighting through the deep snow. The thralls followed, their unnatural howls echoing behind him. Despite their jerky movements, they seemed better adapted to the terrain, gaining ground with each passing second. "ARIA, I need a weapon!" "Scanner indicates mineral deposits in the ridge to your right. Possible improvised weapon materials." Rael veered toward the dark outcropping, his lungs burning from the frigid air. He scrambled up the icy slope, boots slipping on the treacherous surface. At the top, he found what looked like exposed metal¡ªthe remains of some ancient mining equipment half-buried in the ice. He began wrenching at a piece of metal strut as the first thrall crested the ridge. Its frozen face was locked in a grotesque grimace, lips pulled back to reveal ice-coated teeth. "Fuck off!" Rael shouted, finally breaking the metal free¡ªa jagged, meter-long piece of alloy that narrowed to a point. The thrall lunged. Rael swung the makeshift spear, catching it in the shoulder. Instead of blood, crystalline frost erupted from the wound. The creature didn''t flinch, grasping the metal with one hand while reaching for Rael''s throat with the other. Its touch burned like liquid nitrogen. Rael roared in pain, twisting the metal shard and driving it deeper. The thrall''s grip weakened just enough for him to wrench free. He kicked hard, sending the creature tumbling back down the ridge into its companions. [COMBAT INITIATED] [ENEMIES: FROST THRALLS (3) LEVEL 2] Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. The status window flashed in his vision, followed by a scrolling combat log as he backed away: [FROST THRALL ATTACKS: 12 DAMAGE DEALT] [HEALTH: 75/100] [FROST DAMAGE OVER TIME EFFECT APPLIED: -1 HEALTH PER 5 SECONDS] "Commander, your health is decreasing rapidly," ARIA warned. "The dungeon entrance is approximately four hundred meters northeast." Rael glanced behind him and saw it¡ªa pulsing blue light emanating from what appeared to be a massive crack in a glacier wall. The thralls were regrouping, all three scaling the ridge with single-minded determination. The one he''d stabbed still had the metal shard protruding from its shoulder, apparently unfazed. "Time to move," Rael muttered, sliding down the far side of the ridge and sprinting toward the glacial formation. The thralls gave chase, their guttural howls echoing across the frozen wasteland. Rael pushed his failing body forward, each breath a stabbing pain in his chest. The frost damage from the thrall''s touch continued to sap his health. [HEALTH: 70/100] Two hundred meters to go. The blue light grew brighter, pulsing like a heartbeat. [HEALTH: 65/100] One hundred meters. He could now see that the crack in the glacier was perfectly symmetrical¡ªan entrance nearly three meters high with strange symbols etched into the surrounding ice. [HEALTH: 60/100] "Almost there," ARIA encouraged as Rael stumbled, nearly falling. "The dungeon boundary should prevent the thralls from following." Fifty meters. The howls were closer now. Rael didn''t dare look back. Twenty meters. Ten. Five. Rael hurled himself through the glowing entrance, collapsing onto a smooth floor of unnaturally blue ice. He rolled over just in time to see the thralls halt at the threshold, pacing and shrieking in frustration. [DUNGEON ENTERED: FROST LABYRINTH LVL 1] [HOSTILE ENTITIES CANNOT CROSS THRESHOLD WITHOUT DUNGEON INVITATION] [FROST DAMAGE OVER TIME EFFECT REMOVED] [DUNGEON WARMING EFFECT APPLIED: TEMPERATURE STABILIZING] Rael lay on his back, gasping for breath as blessed warmth began seeping into his frozen limbs. The dungeon interior was still cold, but nothing like the killing freeze outside. "Congratulations, Commander," ARIA said. "First survival challenge accomplished." "Yeah, great," Rael wheezed, slowly sitting up. "Almost died, but hey, I made it to the magic ice cave." For the first time, he took in his surroundings. The dungeon entrance tunnel extended about twenty meters before opening into a vast chamber. The walls, floor, and ceiling were composed of translucent blue ice that seemed to glow from within. Strange formations resembling frozen waterfalls created natural columns throughout the space. Most notably, floating text hovered in the center of the chamber: [WELCOME TO FROST LABYRINTH] [DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER] [OBJECTIVE: REACH THE CORE CHAMBER] [REWARD: EQUIPMENT, RESOURCES, SKILL ACQUISITION] [WARNING: DEATH IN DUNGEON IS PERMANENT] "ARIA, what exactly am I supposed to do here?" "System dungeons are designed to test and reward compatible entities," ARIA explained. "This appears to be a navigation and combat trial suited to your level. Completing it will likely provide resources needed for our survival." Rael pushed himself to his feet, examining the three identical passages leading from the main chamber. "Any idea which way to go?" "My scanners detect energy signatures down all pathways. However, the central path shows signs of recent disturbance." Rael frowned. "Recent? You mean something''s already in here?" "Or someone," ARIA confirmed. "Detecting minute thermal variations consistent with humanoid passage within the last hour." So he wasn''t alone. Either more exiles or perhaps whatever remained of Kryos Seven''s original mining colony. Neither option was particularly comforting. "Let''s take the right passage," Rael decided. "Might as well avoid company until we know what we''re dealing with." The tunnel was narrow, forcing Rael to duck his head in places. The walls pulsed with soft blue light, providing just enough illumination to see. After about fifty meters, the passage opened into a smaller chamber containing a pedestal made of ice. On the pedestal sat a simple black cube. [EQUIPMENT CACHE DISCOVERED] "ARIA, what am I looking at?" "Initial scan suggests a basic System equipment container. Likely contains starter gear appropriate for your level." Rael approached cautiously, half-expecting a trap. When nothing happened, he picked up the cube. It was surprisingly warm to the touch, vibrating slightly. [EQUIPMENT CACHE OPENED] [CONTENTS: - THERMAL BODYSUIT (BASIC) - ENERGY BATON (COMMON) - HEALING INJECTOR (1 USE) - COMMAND MODULE (STARTER)] The cube disintegrated in his hands, leaving behind the listed items. Rael quickly stripped off his prisoner''s bodysuit and pulled on the thermal gear¡ªa form-fitting black outfit that immediately began regulating his body temperature. [EQUIPMENT APPLIED] [THERMAL PROTECTION: 60% REDUCTION TO COLD DAMAGE] [HEALTH REGENERATION INCREASED: +1 HP/MINUTE] "Much better," Rael sighed, examining the energy baton¡ªa retractable metal rod with a power cell embedded in the handle. When activated, it hummed with electric energy. [ENERGY BATON EQUIPPED] [DAMAGE: 10-15 PHYSICAL + 5 ENERGY] [DURABILITY: 100/100] The healing injector went into a pocket of his new suit, while he examined the command module with curiosity. It resembled his father''s command chip but newer, with glowing blue lines tracing its hexagonal surface. "What''s this for?" "A command module allows for more complex unit management," ARIA explained. "It will enhance your Commander abilities once integrated." Rael pressed the module against his temple. It adhered to his skin, then seemed to melt into it with a brief sting. [COMMAND MODULE INTEGRATED] [ARMY SIZE LIMIT INCREASED: 1/1 ¡ú 1/3] [NEW COMMAND UNLOCKED: BASIC TACTICAL POSITIONING] A crashing sound echoed from deeper in the dungeon, followed by what sounded like a human shout. "Seems like someone''s having trouble," Rael muttered, gripping his new baton. "Guess we should investigate after all." He continued through another passage, moving quietly now. The tunnel sloped downward, and the temperature dropped noticeably despite his thermal suit. Ice formations became more elaborate and strange¡ªfrozen sculptures that almost resembled weapons and armor. The passage ended at a railing overlooking a massive chamber. Below, a pitched battle was underway. A lone figure in tattered Imperial prison garb fought desperately against three ice constructs that resembled armed knights. Even from his vantage point, Rael could see the fight was going poorly for the human. "Another exile," he mused. "Probably dropped here same as me." "Commander, that individual appears to be System-compatible as well. Their movements suggest combat training." Rael weighed his options. He could leave the fellow exile to die, eliminating potential competition for resources. Or he could intervene, potentially gaining an ally¡ªor a recruit for his fledgling "army." The exile went down hard, blood staining the ice as one of the knights raised its weapon for a killing blow. Decision time. "ARIA, tactical assessment. Can I take these things?" "Three Ice Knights, approximately Level 2 each. With your current equipment and the element of surprise, probability of success is approximately 62%." Not great odds, but not terrible. And something else was driving Rael''s decision¡ªsomething deeper than mere tactical advantage. The Imperium had abandoned them both to die. He''d be damned if he played by their rules. Rael activated the energy baton and vaulted over the railing. [COMBAT INITIATED] [TACTICAL COMMAND AVAILABLE] "Let''s see what this Commander class can really do." Chapter 3: First Blood Rael hit the ice floor in a controlled roll, absorbing the impact through his shoulders. The sound of his landing, drawing the attention of all three Ice Knights. Their featureless helmets. "Hey, frozen fuckheads!" Rael called out, rising to a combat stance with the energy baton humming in his grip. "Pick on someone who isn''t already bleeding out." The knight that had been about to deliver the killing blow hesitated, its ice-blade suspended mid-swing. The fallen exile¡ªa woman, Rael now saw¡ªlay motionless in a spreading pool of crimson that steamed against the cold floor. [TACTICAL COMMAND ACTIVATED] [AVAILABLE MANEUVERS: FLANK ATTACK, DEFENDER''S STANCE, TAUNT] The interface appeared in his peripheral vision, oddly intuitive despite being completely new. Rael selected without hesitation. [TAUNT SELECTED] [TARGET: ALL ENEMIES] [EFFECT: AGGRO GENERATION +200%] [COOLDOWN: 30 SECONDS] "That''s right," Rael continued, feeling the command take effect. "Fresh meat over here. Come get some." All three knights abandoned the fallen woman, ice-armor creaking as they advanced on Rael. They moved with surprising fluidity for constructs made of frozen water, their weapons¡ªa sword, an axe, and a spear¡ªheld with unmistakable skill. "ARIA, tactical assessment?" Rael murmured, slowly circling to keep all three knights in view. "Ice Knights appear to be training-level dungeon guardians. Physical structure suggests concentrated mass in the torso area¡ªlikely a core. Recommend targeting joint areas and head for maximum damage efficiency." The knight with the spear lunged first, the ice-tipped weapon thrusting toward Rael''s chest with surgical precision. He pivoted, letting the spear slide past him before swinging the energy baton down onto the extended weapon shaft. The baton''s energy field collided with the ice, sending crystalline fragments flying as the spear fractured at the impact point. [CRITICAL HIT: 28 DAMAGE] [ICE KNIGHT SPEAR: WEAPON DAMAGED] The knight staggered back, its damaged weapon significantly shorter. The sword-wielder attacked next, a horizontal slash aimed at Rael''s midsection. Rael ducked under the swing and delivered a counter-strike to the knight''s knee joint. [HIT: 12 DAMAGE] [ICE KNIGHT SWORD: MOBILITY REDUCED] The third knight, wielding its axe two-handed, brought the weapon crashing down. Rael dodged, but not quickly enough¡ªthe edge caught his shoulder, tearing through the thermal bodysuit and into flesh beneath. [HIT TAKEN: 15 DAMAGE] [HEALTH: 45/100] [BLEEDING EFFECT APPLIED: -1 HP/10 SECONDS] Pain lanced through Rael''s left side, his arm momentarily numbing. He gritted his teeth, using the momentum of the blow to spin away into a defensive position. "Commander, your vitals are spiking," ARIA warned. "Recommend using healing injector." "Not yet," Rael grunted, assessing the three knights now spreading out to surround him. The formation left him exposed, vulnerable to attacks from multiple angles. [FLANK ATTACK AVAILABLE] Rael tapped into the tactical command, focusing on the knight with the damaged spear. [FLANK ATTACK SELECTED] [TARGET: ICE KNIGHT SPEAR] [EFFECT: +100% DAMAGE, POSITIONING ADVANTAGE] [COOLDOWN: 45 SECONDS] Time seemed to slow as the command activated. Rael saw the pattern of movement required, the system highlighting the optimal attack vector through his target''s blind spot. He moved with sudden speed, feinting toward the sword-wielder before darting around behind the spear-knight. The energy baton connected with the back of the knight''s helmet, the impact sending cracks spiderwebbing across its icy frame. A second strike to the same location shattered the helmet completely, revealing a pulsing blue core inside the otherwise hollow construct. [CRITICAL HIT: 30 DAMAGE] [WEAK POINT EXPOSED] "ARIA, the cores¡ªthey''re control centers!" "Confirmed, Commander. Destroying the core should neutralize the construct." Rael thrust the baton directly into the exposed core. The energy field made contact with the glowing blue sphere, causing a reaction like water hitting superheated metal. The knight''s entire form convulsed, ice cracking along every seam before collapsing into a pile of frozen fragments. [ENEMY DEFEATED: 25 XP GAINED] [LEVEL PROGRESS: 25/100] No time to celebrate. The remaining knights closed in, their attacks becoming more coordinated, as if adapting to the loss of their comrade. The sword-wielder feinted while the axe-knight swung for Rael''s legs. Rael jumped the low attack but couldn''t avoid the sword that followed, the blade slicing across his chest. Only the thermal bodysuit prevented a fatal wound, the material hardening on impact to disperse some of the force. [HIT TAKEN: 18 DAMAGE] [HEALTH: 26/100] [CRITICAL CONDITION WARNING] Blood seeped through the torn bodysuit. Rael''s vision wavered, the chamber seeming to tilt around him. He fumbled for the healing injector in his pocket, nearly dropping it before pressing it against his thigh. The device hissed as it delivered its contents directly into his bloodstream. [HEALING INJECTOR USED] [HEALTH: 26/100 ¡ú 76/100] [BLEEDING EFFECT REMOVED] Warmth flooded Rael''s body as the pain receded. Whatever was in that injector, it worked fast. He tightened his grip on the baton and reassessed. "Two left. Let''s even the odds." If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The sword-knight lunged, its damaged leg causing a slight hesitation in its movement. Rael spotted the vulnerability and sidestepped, bringing his baton down onto the knight''s sword-arm with enough force to shatter it at the elbow. Ice fragments scattered across the floor as the construct stumbled off-balance. Rael pressed the advantage, delivering a series of rapid strikes to the knight''s torso until the outer armor cracked enough to expose the core. One final thrust of the energy baton, and the second knight collapsed into frozen debris. [ENEMY DEFEATED: 25 XP GAINED] [LEVEL PROGRESS: 50/100] The axe-knight, seemingly learning from its fallen companions, approached more cautiously. It held its weapon in a defensive position, ice armor thickening visibly around its torso¡ªprotecting the core. "It''s adapting," ARIA observed. "Increasing defensive capabilities at the cost of mobility." Rael circled the knight, looking for an opening. "Any weak points?" "The adaptation appears to be drawing energy from extremities to reinforce the torso. Head and limbs should be more vulnerable." [DEFENDER''S STANCE AVAILABLE] Rael activated the command, feeling his posture shift into an optimal defensive position. [DEFENDER''S STANCE SELECTED] [EFFECT: DAMAGE REDUCTION 30%, COUNTER-ATTACK OPPORTUNITY ON BLOCKED HIT] [DURATION: 10 SECONDS] [COOLDOWN: 60 SECONDS] "Come on," Rael taunted, deliberately leaving an opening in his guard. "Take your shot." The knight took the bait, swinging its axe in a powerful overhead strike. Instead of dodging, Rael raised his baton horizontally, catching the axe handle just below the blade. The impact vibrated through his arms, but the defensive stance held. [ATTACK BLOCKED] [COUNTER-ATTACK OPPORTUNITY] In one fluid motion, Rael twisted the baton, redirecting the axe''s momentum to the side while stepping inside the knight''s guard. With the construct momentarily off-balance, he struck at its neck¡ªthe thinnest point connecting the reinforced torso to the head. The energy baton sheared through the ice, decapitating the knight in a single blow. The head crashed to the floor and shattered while the body remained standing for several seconds before collapsing. [ENEMY DEFEATED: 25 XP GAINED] [LEVEL PROGRESS: 75/100] [FROST LABYRINTH: FIRST CHAMBER CLEARED] Rael stood amid the scattered ice fragments, breathing heavily as the adrenaline ebbed. His body ached from exertion and injury, but the rush of combat¡ªthe way the tactical commands had enhanced his fighting ability¡ªleft him feeling almost euphoric. "That was..." he began. "Efficient," ARIA finished. "Your combat performance exceeded predicted parameters by 22%." "I was going to say ''fun,'' but efficient works too." Rael turned his attention to the fallen exile. "Let''s check if she''s still alive." The woman lay face-down in a pool of frozen blood. Her prison bodysuit was torn in multiple places, revealing deep lacerations beneath. Rael gently turned her over, finding a young face¡ªmid-twenties perhaps¡ªwith sharp features and close-cropped black hair. Her skin had an unhealthy blue tinge from cold and blood loss. Rael pressed fingers to her neck, feeling for a pulse. "She''s alive, but barely. ARIA, can I recruit unconscious people?" "Affirmative, Commander. Recruitment does not require consent, though loyalty metrics may be affected upon awakening." Rael frowned at that. Forcing someone into his "army" seemed ethically questionable at best. But leaving her to die wasn''t an option either. [RECRUIT SOLDIERS] [AVAILABLE TARGETS: 1] [EXILE (UNCONSCIOUS) - RECRUITMENT COST: 0 COMMAND POINTS] [RECRUIT? YES/NO] "Yes," Rael decided. "She fought well enough to survive this long. That''s someone worth having on my side." Blue light flowed from his hands into the woman''s body. Her most severe wounds began to close, the bleeding slowing to a stop. Her breathing strengthened as color returned to her face. [RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL] [UNIT ADDED: SERRA KAI (INFILTRATOR)] [ARMY SIZE: 2/3] [UNIT STATUS: CRITICALLY WOUNDED - REQUIRES MEDICAL ATTENTION] "Serra Kai," Rael read from the status window. "Infiltrator class? That could be useful." "Commander, her vital signs are stabilizing, but she requires additional medical treatment beyond what the recruitment process provided." Rael looked around the chamber. Three passages led deeper into the dungeon, each identical to the others. "We need to find more supplies. Medical equipment, weapons, maybe even a proper base." A soft groan came from the woman¡ªSerra¡ªas her eyes fluttered open. They were a startling amber color, alert despite her injuries. "Who the fuck are you?" she rasped, immediately trying to push herself up. "And what did you do to me?" "Easy," Rael said, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "You were about to become knight-chow. I stepped in." Serra''s gaze darted around, taking in the scattered ice fragments and Rael''s blood-stained bodysuit. Her expression remained guarded, suspicious. "You''re System-activated," she stated rather than asked. "I can feel it. You did something to me just now." "I recruited you," Rael admitted. "It healed the worst of your injuries." "Recruited?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You mean you bound me to your service without asking? You Imperial piece of shit!" Despite her weakened state, Serra''s hand moved with blinding speed, producing a small blade from somewhere in her torn bodysuit. She slashed at Rael''s face, missing by millimeters as he jerked back. "I''m not Imperial!" Rael protested, raising his hands non-threateningly. "I''m an exile, same as you. The recruitment was the only way to save your life!" Serra paused, blade still poised for another strike. "Prove it. Show me your prisoner collar marks." Rael tilted his head, revealing the raw, reddened skin where the tracking collar had been. "Satisfied? I was dropped here to die, just like you. The difference is I got lucky with this Commander class." Serra lowered the blade slightly, though wariness remained in her posture. "Commander class? Never heard of it." "It''s new to me too. Apparently, I''m supposed to build an army. You''re my first human recruit." "Your first?" Serra''s expression shifted to something calculating. "What''s my designation in your system?" "Infiltrator," Rael replied. "Though I don''t know what that means yet." A slight smile crossed Serra''s face. "It means I''m very good at getting into places I shouldn''t be and acquiring things that don''t belong to me. Advanced scout, spy, thief¡ªpick your terminology." She tucked the blade away, wincing as she shifted position. "I don''t appreciate being conscripted, but I''ll acknowledge you saved my life. For now, we have aligned interests." A distant rumbling shook the chamber, ice dust falling from the ceiling. "What was that?" Rael asked. "The dungeon is evolving," Serra explained, struggling to her feet. "The longer we stay in one place, the more difficult it becomes. We need to keep moving." "Can you walk?" Serra gave him a flat look. "I''ve survived three days in this hellhole with nothing but a shiv. I can manage." Rael respected her resilience, even if her attitude needed work. "ARIA, which passage is most likely to lead us to the core chamber?" "Analyzing temperature variations and air currents... the rightmost passage appears to descend more steeply than the others." "Downward it is," Rael decided, offering Serra his arm for support. She ignored it, taking a few testing steps on her own before nodding. "Who''s ARIA?" she asked as they approached the passage. "My other recruit. AI tactical specialist." Serra snorted. "An army of two misfits and a talking computer. Very impressive, Commander." As they entered the descending passage, the temperature dropped noticeably. The walls transitioned from clear blue ice to something darker, with strange patterns visible beneath the surface¡ªalmost like frozen circuitry. "We''re getting closer to something important," Serra murmured. "The patterns change the deeper you go. This dungeon isn''t natural." "None of this is natural," Rael replied. "The System, the thralls outside, these knights¡ªsomething fundamental has changed about reality itself." Serra gave him a sidelong glance. "And you plan to build an army to face it? Pretty ambitious for a disgraced Imperial officer." "How did you¡ª" "Your stance, your speech patterns, the way you handled yourself in combat. Standard Imperial Fleet training." Serra shrugged. "Infiltrator, remember? I notice things." The passage widened into another chamber, this one dominated by a frozen pool in its center. The liquid within wasn''t water¡ªit was too viscous, too darkly blue, with occasional sparks of energy visible beneath its surface. [MANA POOL DISCOVERED] [FUNCTION: CLASS ENHANCEMENT, SKILL ACQUISITION] "Well," Rael said, staring at the strange liquid. "This looks important." Serra''s amber eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Oh, it is. It definitely is." Chapter 4: The Mana Pool "Don''t touch it yet," Serra warned, grabbing Rael''s wrist as he reached toward the pool. "These things respond to class affinity. Touch it wrong, and you''ll fry your nervous system." Rael pulled his hand back. "You sound like you''ve seen one before." "My third day here. Found a smaller pool two levels up." Serra''s face hardened. "Watched another exile dive in headfirst. His body... convulsed for nearly five minutes before it stopped moving." "ARIA, analysis?" Rael asked, keeping a cautious distance from the glowing liquid. "The substance appears to be concentrated System energy in physical form. Historical records reference such phenomena as ''mana pools'' or ''class fonts.'' They can enhance inherent abilities but may cause rejection trauma if improperly utilized." Serra circled the pool, studying the intricate frost patterns that spiraled out from its edges across the floor. "Your Commander class is rare. Most exiles I''ve encountered manifested as Fighters, Scouts, or basic Mages." "How many others have you seen?" Rael asked. "Seven, counting the idiot who killed himself in the pool." Serra''s expression remained neutral, but something flickered in her eyes. "Three died fighting thralls before reaching the dungeon. Two more fell to ice constructs inside. The last one... left on his own." Rael noticed her hesitation. "Left how, exactly?" Serra shrugged. "Decided he''d rather take his chances outside. Didn''t agree with my methods." Before Rael could press further, ARIA interrupted: "Commander, I''m detecting energy signatures compatible with your class configuration. This pool appears specifically attuned to command-type enhancement." [MANA POOL EXAMINATION] [COMMANDER CLASS ENHANCEMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE: 1. TACTICAL MASTERY (+15% DAMAGE TO ALL UNITS UNDER COMMAND) 2. LOGISTICAL EXPERTISE (+2 ARMY SIZE LIMIT) 3. DEFENSIVE COORDINATION (+10% DAMAGE REDUCTION FOR ALL UNITS)] The options appeared in Rael''s interface, along with a warning: [WARNING: ONLY ONE ENHANCEMENT CAN BE SELECTED. CHOICE IS PERMANENT.] "I see three options," Rael said, explaining them to Serra. "Thoughts?" Serra considered for a moment. "Depends on your strategy. Planning to build a big army fast? Take the size increase. Want to survive longer fights? Take the defense boost." She tapped her blade against her thigh. "Personally, I''d take the damage boost. In my experience, killing things faster trumps everything else." Rael weighed the options. More soldiers meant more flexibility, but with only himself, Serra, and ARIA currently under his command, would the immediate benefit be worth it? The defensive option seemed solid for overall survivability. But Serra had a point about offensive capability being crucial. "ARIA, your assessment?" "Based on current threat analysis and resource scarcity, logistical expertise providing additional recruitment options offers the highest probability of near-term survival, Commander." Rael nodded, decision made. "Logistical expertise it is. More soldiers means more skills, more options." Serra made a noncommittal noise. "Your call, Commander. Just don''t expect me to play nice with the new recruits." Rael approached the pool, examining the swirling blue liquid more closely. "How exactly do I¡ª" "Just dip your hands in," Serra instructed. "The System will handle the rest. Try not to scream too much." "That''s reassuring," Rael muttered. He knelt beside the pool, rolled up his sleeves, and slowly submerged both hands into the viscous mana. Cold. Then heat. Then pain¡ªsearing, white-hot pain that shot up his arms and exploded through his chest. Rael''s back arched, muscles seizing as the mana clung to his skin like living mercury, spreading up his forearms in intricate patterns. He bit down on his lip until he tasted blood, fighting to remain conscious as the energy rewrote something fundamental within him. [COMMANDER CLASS ENHANCEMENT: LOGISTICAL EXPERTISE] [ARMY SIZE LIMIT INCREASED: 1/3 ¡ú 1/5] [NEW COMMAND UNLOCKED: FIELD PROMOTION] [LEVEL PROGRESS: 75/100 ¡ú 95/100] The pain subsided as quickly as it had struck, leaving Rael gasping on his hands and knees. When he pulled his arms from the pool, faint blue markings resembling circuit patterns lingered on his skin for several seconds before fading into invisibility. "Not bad," Serra remarked, helping him to his feet. "Most people pass out their first time." Rael flexed his fingers, feeling a new awareness of the tactical space around him. "It''s... strange. I can sense you more clearly now. Your status, your general condition." "Creepy," Serra deadpanned. "Can we move on? The pool''s depleted for now, and we''re still a long way from the core chamber." A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. She was right. The mana pool had dimmed considerably, the once-vibrant blue liquid now dull and sluggish. As they watched, the surface began to freeze over, crystalizing into patterns similar to those on the walls. "Let''s go," Rael agreed, checking his status window. [NAME: RAEL VEYRN] [CLASS: WAR COMMANDER (UNIQUE)] [LEVEL: 1] [HEALTH: 76/100] [ENERGY: 82/100] [SKILLS: FIELD PROMOTION (NEW)] [COMMAND POINTS: 0] [ARMY SIZE: 2/5] [AVAILABLE COMMANDS: RECRUIT SOLDIERS, BASIC TACTICAL POSITIONING, FIELD PROMOTION] "What''s this ''Field Promotion'' command?" he asked as they headed toward the passage that continued downward. "Commander, Field Promotion allows you to temporarily enhance a subordinate unit''s capabilities at the cost of your own energy," ARIA explained. "It essentially transfers power from you to them for a limited duration." "Useful in a pinch," Serra commented. "Just don''t drain yourself dry for someone else''s benefit." The passage narrowed as they descended, ice giving way to stone in places. The temperature fluctuated erratically¡ªfreezing cold one moment, almost comfortable the next. Occasional branching corridors appeared, but ARIA''s guidance kept them on what seemed to be the main path toward the dungeon''s center. "So," Rael broke the silence after several minutes. "Infiltrator. Former Imperial, I''m guessing?" Serra gave him a sharp look. "What makes you say that?" "You recognized my training instantly. You understand military protocols. And you have that same ''chip on the shoulder'' attitude most people develop after seeing the Imperium from the inside." Serra was quiet for so long that Rael thought she wouldn''t answer. When she finally spoke, her voice was flat, stripped of emotion. "Imperial Intelligence. Special Activities Division. I was good at making problems disappear." She glanced at him. "Very good." Rael absorbed this. Special Activities was the Imperium''s black ops division¡ªwetwork, disappearances, the kind of operations that officially never happened. "What got you exiled?" he asked. "I asked too many questions about a particular target." Serra''s hand unconsciously moved to a scar visible at her collarbone. "Turned out he had powerful friends. When I wouldn''t drop it, I became a problem that needed disappearing." "Must have been an important target." Serra''s laugh held no humor. "An Admiral''s son. The sick fuck had been experimenting on colonist children, but daddy made sure all the evidence vanished. When I kept digging, they hung treason charges on me and shipped me here to die." Before Rael could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. Dust and ice particles rained from the ceiling as a deep rumbling echoed through the passage. "That''s not normal dungeon shifting," Serra said, bracing herself against the wall. "That''s¡ª" "Impact tremors," Rael finished. "Something big hit the surface." The shaking subsided, leaving behind an ominous silence. Rael and Serra exchanged glances. "ARIA, can you detect anything from the surface?" Rael asked. "Negative, Commander. The dungeon''s structure blocks most external signals. However, I am detecting unusual energy fluctuations ahead. Recommend caution." They continued forward until the passage opened into another chamber, this one larger than the previous ones. Unlike the pristine ice formations they''d seen before, this room showed signs of disturbance¡ªtool marks on the walls, equipment scars on the floor, and most telling, a half-dismantled ice construct lying in the corner. "Someone''s been harvesting," Serra murmured, examining the construct remains. "Systematically extracting the core and other components." Rael surveyed the chamber. "Recent?" "Very." Serra pointed to a small device attached to the wall. "That''s an Imperial-grade thermal regulator. Military issue. And it''s still running." Rael approached the device cautiously. It was indeed Imperial tech¡ªa compact unit designed to maintain a stable temperature in hostile environments. The kind of equipment only high-ranking officers or special teams would have access to. "ARIA, are you picking up any communications signals?" he asked. "Scanning... Yes. Detecting encrypted Imperial military band transmissions. Weak but present. Origin point approximately five hundred meters deeper into the dungeon structure." "So we''re not alone," Rael said grimly. "The Imperium has an active presence here." Serra spat on the ground. "Special recovery team, most likely. When the System activated, they probably detected the energy surge and sent someone to investigate." "Or they were already here," Rael suggested. "Monitoring the planet for exactly this possibility." A sound echoed from one of the branching corridors¡ªmetal scraping against ice, followed by voices too distant to make out clearly. Serra immediately melted into the shadows behind a large ice formation, her movement so fluid it seemed almost supernatural. Rael took position behind the dismantled construct, energy baton ready. "I count three distinct voice patterns," ARIA whispered through Rael''s communicator. "Imperial military speech cadence confirmed." The voices grew closer. Rael could make out snippets of conversation: "¡ªextraction complete. Moving to level three¡ª" "¡ªcommand wants the cores intact this time¡ª" "¡ªstill no contact with Outpost Sigma¡ª" Three figures emerged into the chamber¡ªtwo wearing standard Imperial military cold-weather gear, while the third wore the distinctive armor of Imperial Special Forces. All were armed with pulse rifles and sidearms far superior to Rael''s energy baton. The special forces soldier¡ªa lieutenant by his insignia¡ªheld up a fist, signaling his companions to stop. He scanned the room slowly, his helmet''s sensors sweeping the area. "Containment breach," he announced suddenly. "We have System-actives in the vicinity." One of the soldiers raised his rifle. "Hostiles?" "Unknown. Deploy suppression field. Capture if possible, terminate if necessary." Rael''s mind raced. Three heavily armed Imperial soldiers versus one energy baton and Serra''s knife. Not great odds, even with his tactical commands. Unless... [FIELD PROMOTION AVAILABLE] Rael focused on Serra, activating the new command. [FIELD PROMOTION SELECTED] [TARGET: SERRA KAI (INFILTRATOR)] [EFFECT: TEMPORARY CLASS SKILL UNLOCK, +50% DAMAGE, +30% SPEED] [DURATION: 60 SECONDS] [ENERGY COST: 40] "Serra," Rael whispered through their now-enhanced connection. "I''m boosting your abilities. Be ready on my mark." He felt her acknowledgment more than heard it¡ªa benefit of the Commander class''s unit awareness. Then, he focused on the tactical situation, assessing angles and positions. [BASIC TACTICAL POSITIONING AVAILABLE] Rael activated the command, feeling the battlefield crystallize in his perception. [POSITION ALPHA: FLANK ADVANTAGE, +20% CRITICAL CHANCE] [POSITION BETA: DEFENSIVE COVER, -30% INCOMING DAMAGE] [POSITION GAMMA: AMBUSH POINT, FIRST STRIKE ADVANTAGE] "Serra, take gamma. I''ll create a distraction from beta." [ENERGY: 42/100] Rael moved silently to position beta behind a thick ice column as the Imperial soldiers spread out, deploying a device in the center of the chamber that began emitting a low hum. "Suppression field active," reported one soldier. "Any System abilities should be dampened within range." Rael caught Serra''s eye from across the chamber and nodded once. Time to see what a Commander and an Infiltrator could really do.