(XLI) Headquarters

Jackson grabbed the Skillbook for the Swift Phantom of the Twin Moon Assassin and opened it, flipping through the pages. He flipped through the opening pages, stopping on a page containing the blueprint for the weapons called 'Twin Moons.' A pair of large convex curved swords with large flares on the back of the blade. The hilt had a curved crossguard in the likeness of a moon.

The two blades could be connected by their pommels to combine into a double-bladed sword known as a Warglaive. Jackson couldn't help but think how beautiful they looked as he flipped through the diagrams of techniques on each page, like twin moons dancing in an endless sky filled with stars...

Inside were various exercises involving techniques such as using his feet while moving through trees, jumping across waterfalls, climbing up cliff faces, swinging around high ledges, sliding down mountainside slopes, and much more to truly release the true power of the Twin Moons.

"I should check in with Amelia and see how close she is to finishing..." The young man murmured, unable to practice half of the techniques without the weapon. He sighed before closing up the book, placing it back on his lap, and opening Timeless Rage of the Meteor Behemoth.

"This will teach you a powerful new form of martial arts based around unleashing your full strength." Jackson read out loud from the title page as he glanced over all its contents while running his hand along every line and curve engraved onto its leather cover. This one was more complex than Swift Phantom since there were three training exercises inside to learn this combat style.

This skillbook revolved around a unique bodysuit that you wore underneath your clothing. The bodysuit contained a powerful ultra mesh exoskeleton WarFrame that can be loaded with armor that can be deployed as power armor while in combat without the burden of being over-encumbered.

He continued reading the introduction on the first page:

'A true master must know when to unleash his inner self! For those who do not have what it takes for total domination or just simply lack patience, we introduce you to Timeless Rage of the Meteor Behemoth!'

The young man stared at the pages as they began detailing the body suit itself; He noticed a unique function if the exoskeleton absorbed enough damage, it could activate its core system once fully charged, which would result in a massive surge of raw power being discharged from the WarFrame that could easily defeat most opponents with ease...

But the downside? The process took time! There needed to be sufficient rest periods between activating so that its core wouldn't drain itself into uselessness. If an enemy attacked during this recharge period, the bodysuit's naturally high durability would be gone, meaning the user had no defense and was utterly defenseless against any kind of attack.

Jackson yawned as he put away the second Skillbook, noticing another book, grabbing it off the nightstand beside him; he read the title 'Amelia's Super Duper Training Manual.' She had taken it upon herself to write this book for him when he had previously submitted the commission.

Inside were additional notes not provided to The Climber's Association when they had strongarmed her family into giving up copies of their Skillbooks. Jackson smirked to himself and shook his head, "I guess every family has their own secrets..."

The notes detailed two extra abilities hidden in the bodysuit, which allowed the WarFrame two additional features. First was a pair of wings that could be deployed from the user's back that would enable them to glide through the air, known as the 'Metallic Wings of the Phoenix.' Secondly is a skill known as 'Eagle's Hurricane Step,' which fires a powerful burst of energy from the bottom of the user's boots, giving a brief burst of speed for two seconds.

Jackson yawned again, closing the book and placing it on top of the other two before lying down and mentally practicing and image-training the techniques detailed in the Skillbooks until he fell asleep.

***

Alijah had been hard at work learning everything she could from Natane. She was present for all the transactions that Jackson was involved in and paid serious attention as she learned from one of the best merchants in Terra.

She took everything in the next few days and was soon haggling with merchants and beating them at their own game. The rush of the game of cat and mouse excited her to no end. After the first victory, she became addicted.

Natane had quickly found a place for her to set up shop, and Alijah was off to the races. Thanks to Jackson's materials, the Black Market veteran had quickly sold out of everything he had allowed her to sell. Alijah quickly utilized the remaining funds after Natane completed her task and promptly set up the storefront on the ground level and the living quarters and common rooms on the above floors in the building.

Her biggest issue was she needed something to sell in her shop, but even if she did, she didn't have any name to give the store even if it was open. She grumbled in annoyance despite the luxuriously soothing bubble bath she was soaking in with cucumbers on her eyes and her face covered in an avocado mask.

"That damned Jackson! He gives everyone a list of chores and runs off without anyone being able to get in contact with him, and now we don't have anything else to do! If he's not back today, I swear I'm going to ban him from this building and keep it myself!" Alijah growled, unable to enjoy her early morning soak.

As she made her declaration, a sharp pain stabbed her in her heart as she winced in pain, jerking forward and grabbing her chest, "Okay! Okay! I get it! I'm just joking!" She shouted at nobody as the pain immediately subsided.

"Sheesh! Can't even take a joke!" She growled, closing her eyes and laying back as she heard the front doorbell chime loudly, prompting her eyes to open rapidly.

Throwing all caution to the wind, Alijah leaped out of the bathtub, slipping on the floor as she slid into the hallway. She frantically stood, sprinting and stumbling down the hallway and down the stairs, dripping with suds and water, landing at the foot of the stairs with a giant baseball bat in her hands.