4 Devils in the detail.

The mercenary contract could really be summed up in a few words.

Viciously shrewd!

As he looked over the draft offer Azamir noticed there was a decision to make. The MRB Automatically assumed any debt that the individual had under their name! Normally this would be a good thing but Azamir noticed that below that passage there was a clause that said all earnings from contracts undertaken will be used to pay off the debts outstanding until they were eliminated!

One should know that among the most basic requirements to be an established mercenary unit, let alone an individual you needed good equipment! Good equipment doesn't appear out of thin air either! Most common citizens of the galaxy knew that mercenaries made fortunes and spent them in the same breath. If Azamir agreed to this provision he could find himself an indentured servant! He would need to be able to make money outside of official MRB contracts during the 4 years of service.

It was not all bad news however, the debt his father had taken was in his own name and not attached to the family financially. Azamir could choose to truly go independent from his family and earn money immediately like any other recruit.

This was not a simple decision.

Azamir chose to set the contracts aside for a moment and turn back to his newly gained mercenary system. He booted up his comlink built into his datapad to access the galactic net, there had to be some kind of information for this out there!

He searched for hours until well after the sun had set on the horizon and still could not find any mention of a system or augment that sounded even remotely like what he had experienced. He doubted even the supermassive federations and galactic governments had access to technology such as this. Not that they would share if they did...

Azamir gave up searching on the net and turned to the system guide itself. He gained a solid understanding of the basic functions of the system and what the information displayed in his status represented.

Azamir pulled up his status.

[Scan complete: displaying status]

[User]

[Name: Azamir Ternum]

[age: 20 years]

[XP: 50/100]

[physical traits]

[Dexterity: 0.7(0.3)*, Strength 1.12 (0.6)*, Vitality: 1.0 (.5)*]

[Mental Traits]

[Intelligence 0.8, Critical thinking 1.1, Will: ???]

[Skills]

[Tactics: Beginner 1]

At first, it was hard to understand the numbers representing his 'traits' as the system had put it. But it made sense that his reduced numbers equaled how he currently felt. The guide quickly educated him on what they represented. Based on the total data of the human race, each stat was compared to the average human being across the galaxy with the number 1 indicating the average stat for the human. The system noted that this average excluded monsterous talents of the human race as well as the weaklings in order to provide a more objective view of his skillset. Similarly, most traits did not necessarily mean what he initially thought.

For example, Azamir was slightly miffed when he read his stat on intelligence thinking the system was saying he was dumber than the average human! "This thing is calling me incompetent! stupid system!" He exclaimed when he had gone over his stats. Unknown to him, he would get a response.

[User note: traits reflect specific characteristics. Intelligence is not an objective measure of smart, genius, or idiotic but the capacity to perform calculations and analysis unaided by external inputs or tools. This capacity is not fixed as long as the user performs missions and gains XP. Therefore, the user does not have to worry about being stupid for long.]

"This..." Azamir's ears could only burn in response to the mental lashing of the system. Regardless of the verbal points scored against him, the system provided another useful avenue for him to research. Experience points or XP was earned from actions the system placed importance on or when Azamir completed a task. If he gained experience the system would be able to evolve and in turn, make him stronger! Unfortunately, the system didn't specify how it would make him stronger exactly. It only provided a cheeky message when he had prompted it.

[The user must learn some things through actions!]

He knew this was no simple program based on the responses the system gave. However, the system refused to offer responses to things that did not seem to pertain to itself or its objectives. Azamir flipped over to the task section of the system menu. Only one vague task was prominently displayed.

[Tasks]

[Choose your profession! A true freelancer makes their own decisions about their destiny. You must choose your own path and walk it with determination if you wish to succeed in your goals!]

*Warning* Rewards determined based on the decision. The user's choice will affect future development]

With that vague mission task and ominous message a new sense of importance laid upon Azamir's feet, he knew that the offers before him became more important than just a job. It was interesting how the system did not discriminate on his choice even though it was announced as a mercenary system. Regardless, he resolved to discuss it with his family before he accepted anything. Azamir knew that his father and mother were the only ones who had his best interests at heart.

"Do I choose stability? Service? or do I branch out on my own?"

If Azamir was honest, he was heavily inclined to choose the mercenary contract. How could he not? He practically was raised on the various stories of adventure from his father as he sat with glowing eyes listening to his many com-call bedtime stories. Even later in life sharing drinks with his father as he became of age. Being a mercenary was many common citizens' means of escaping their station for a better life! Employed for almost any task and for any skillset, Mercenary life was exemplified in one virtue.

Absolute Freedom! Who does not dream of the ability to do what you want when you wanted to? Compared to Azamir's other choices, nothing gave him as many options to live his life the way he saw fit!

But could he cast his family aside to do it? He was not sure he could. Azamir slept fitfully worrying for his family. He was the type of person who was very simple, for every generosity he would want to pay it back twofold. His family gave everything to make sure he lived and got a decent education, how could he turn his back on them with their insistence that they take care of their own burdens?

He finally drifted off and slipped into unconsciousness with dreams of adventure, valor, and glory.