Chapter 134: Chapter 129: The Assessnt
Location: Pavilion - Assessnt Chamber
Ti: Day 568/207 (Doha - Stasis Break)
Realm: Pavilion (Nexus Space)
The white assessnt chamber humd with residual energy from the dinsional crossing. Jayde’s stomach had finally stopped churning from the transition, and she could feel the dragons resting quietly in her pet space—Yinxin’s ancient presence calm and reassuring, the wyrmlings already dozing after the excitent of interdinsional travel.
Isha’s translucent fox form circled her once, tails swishing with satisfaction. "Well, that went smoothly. No complications from carrying passengers. The Nexus handled the extra mass without issue." He paused, as if ntally ticking through a checklist. "Right, you should probably head back to your cave and—"
"Wait." The word erged sharper than Jayde intended, carrying Federation command authority. She softened her tone. "Don’t we need to check the mission assessnt first?"
Isha froze mid-step, all nine tails going rigid. "Oh. Oh. You’re absolutely right. How did I—" He spun to face her, eyes wide with what looked like embarrassnt. "I almost sent you out without checking your rewards. That would’ve been... that’s never happened before."
Curious lapse for soone who’s been doing this for centuries, Jayde thought, but kept the observation to herself.
"Mission assessnt, then?" she prompted.
"Yes. Definitely. Right now." Isha’s form brightened slightly, taking on a more solid appearance as he interfaced with the Nexus systems. "Prepare for official evaluation. This determines rit rewards, reputation gains, and potential promotions." His voice carried genuine anticipation now. "Pay attention—every word matters."
The chamber transford without warning.
Golden light erupted from the ceiling, walls, and floor—surrounding them both in a cocoon of radiance that felt alive, aware, evaluating. A massive screen materialized in the air, a holographic display that looked more like a window into reality than a simple projection.
Bold text appeared:
MISSION ASSESSNT PROTOCOL: INITIATED
CONTRACTOR: Jayde (Level 2)
MISSION WORLD: Telia, Dinsion 137
DURATION: 38 Standard Days
ANALYZING PERFORMANCE...
The screen flickered, data scrolling past too fast to read, then settled on a clear display:
═══════════════════════════════════
PRIMARY MISSION ASSESSNT
═══════════════════════════════════
MISSION: Eliminate Direwolf Pack
LOCATION: Tardide Village, Planet Telia, Dinsion 137
OBJECTIVE: Neutralize territorial predator threat to civilian population
OUTCO: Successful
RATING: A
PERFORMANCE NOTES:
Complete pack elimination (23 entities including Alpha)
Zero civilian casualties during operation
Tactical execution: Exceptional
Threat neutralization: Permanent
Secondary benefits: Village security established
REWARDS:
Paynt: 5 Aura Stones
rit Points: 25
Mission Points: 25
A
Bonus:
50 rit Points,
25 Mission Points
═══════════════════════════════════
Isha whistled—actual sound despite being translucent. "A
on primary mission. That’s rare for a Level 2 contractor. Most get B or C ratings on their first off-world deploynt."
"It was fairly straightforward," Jayde said, though satisfaction ward her chest. Twenty-three kills. Clean operation. No collateral damage. The Federation officer in her approved of the efficiency.
"Primary missions always have modest rewards," Isha explained. "They’re baseline objectives. The real rit cos from—"
The screen flickered again, and Isha’s eyes widened.
═══════════════════════════════════
SIDE MISSION 1 DISCOVERED
═══════════════════════════════════
"Side mission?" Jayde asked, confused. "There was a side mission?"
"Not officially assigned," Isha said, voice strange. "Side missions are hidden objectives that contractors discover during standard operations. They’re not mandatory, rarely announced, and most contractors never find them. But if you complete one—"
MISSION: Save Adult Female Silver Dragon
LOCATION: Dark Forest, Planet Telia, Dinsion 137
OBJECTIVE: Prevent extinction of Ancient Silver Dragon (last confird female)
OUTCO: Successful
RATING: A
PERFORMANCE NOTES:
Species preservation: Critical success
Ancient being (3,000
years) secured
Equal partnership contract established
Sanctuary provided (Pet space)
Long-term survival probability: 95%
REWARDS:
Paynt: 25 Aura Stones
rit Points: 150
Mission Points: 150
A
Bonus:
250 rit Points,
150 Mission Points
═══════════════════════════════════
Silence.
Complete, absolute silence as they both stared at numbers that dwarfed the primary mission rewards.
"Twenty-five Aura Stones?" Jayde’s voice ca out faint. "For one dragon?"
"For preventing extinction of a legendary species," Isha corrected, tails lashing with excitent. "Silver dragons are—were—myth. Saving the last female of a species that powerful?" He shook his head in wonder. "That’s a conservation miracle. Nexus values biodiversity preservation extrely highly."
"But I didn’t know it was a side mission. I just saw soone who needed help and—"
"Exactly." Isha’s form glowed brighter. "That’s how side missions work. They reward contractors who go beyond assigned objectives. Who see need and respond. Who—"
The screen flickered a third ti.
"Oh gods," Isha breathed. "There’s more."
═══════════════════════════════════
SIDE MISSION 2 DISCOVERED
═══════════════════════════════════
MISSION: Save Silver Dragon Wyrmlings (3 entities)
LOCATION: Dark Forest, Planet Telia, Dinsion 137
OBJECTIVE: Prevent the extinction of juvenile Ancient Silver Dragons
OUTCO: Successful
RATING: A
PERFORMANCE NOTES:
Three wyrmlings secured (Tianxin, Shenxin, Huaxin)
Maternal bond preserved through contract extension
Future breeding potential: Established Species continuation probability: 70%
REWARDS:
Paynt: 25 Aura Stones
rit Points: 150
Mission Points: 150
A
Bonus:
250 rit Points,
150 Mission Points
═══════════════════════════════════
"Individual assessnts for each wyrmling?" Jayde’s mind struggled to process the implications. Fifty Aura Stones just for the dragons. That’s... that’s wealth beyond imagination.
"Wyrmlings represent the future of the species," Isha explained, though he sounded dazed himself. "Each one matters for genetic diversity, breeding programs, and population recovery. Three wyrmlings secured? That’s the foundation for species resurrection." He laughed—a genuine, delighted sound. "Of course, Nexus rewards it massively."
Before Jayde could respond, the screen flickered again.
═══════════════════════════════════
SIDE MISSION 3 DISCOVERED
═══════════════════════════════════
MISSION: Save Planet Telia (Long-term Societal Impact)
LOCATION: Tardide Village, Planet Telia, Dinsion 137
OBJECTIVE: Establish a sustainable civilization developnt frawork
OUTCO: Successful
RATING: A
PERFORMANCE NOTES:
Village transformation: Dying → Thriving (650 population)
Economic revolution: Agricultural advancent, resource managent
Social integration: 350 refugees successfully absorbed
Educational frawork: Ethical mage training established
Long-term sustainability: Docunted and institutionalized
Ripple effect probability: Regional transformation likely
Civilization trajectory: Altered toward peaceful developnt
REWARDS:
Paynt: 2 Contractor Class Upgrades (imdiate application)
rit Points: 1,500 Mission Points: 150
A
Bonus:
2,500 rit Points,
150 Mission Points
═══════════════════════════════════
This ti, the silence stretched longer.
"Class upgrades," Isha finally managed. "Two. Imdiate." He turned to stare at her. "Jayde, do you understand what you did? You altered a civilization’s trajectory. Changed the path of an entire world." His voice carried awe. "Nexus doesn’t reward that lightly. This is planet-saving achievent."
"I just helped one village," Jayde protested weakly.
"One village that will influence a region. A region that will influence a continent. A continent that will shape a world." Isha’s tails swished with agitation. "You planted seeds for peaceful developnt in a culture dominated by warlord exploitation. That’s—" He seed unable to find adequate words. "That’s changing the course of history."
Federation First Contact protocols, Jayde thought numbly. Minimum interference. Maximum positive impact. I just... applied everything I learned about uplifting pre-industrial civilizations.
The screen flickered one final ti.
And Isha’s jaw actually dropped.
═══════════════════════════════════
HIDDEN MISSION COMPLETED
═══════════════════════════════════
"Hidden mission?" Jayde whispered.
"Achievent unlocked by completing all available missions," Isha breathed. "So contractors work entire careers without triggering one. You found it in your first deploynt."
MISSION: Complete All Available Missions
LOCATION: Planet Telia, Dinsion 137
OBJECTIVE: Achieve 100% mission completion rate
OUTCO: Successful (4/4 missions completed)
RATING: A
PERFORMANCE NOTES:
Primary mission: Completed
Side mission discovery rate: 100%
Side mission completion rate: 100%
Exceptional thoroughness demonstrated
Contractor initiative: Extraordinary
Problem-solving capability: Exceptional
REWARDS:
Paynt: 5 Dinsion Upgrades (any type, any category)
rit Points: 2,500
Mission Points: 150
A
Bonus:
5,000 rit Points,
150 Mission Points
═══════════════════════════════════
Jayde couldn’t breathe. The numbers were too large, rewards too substantial, implications too overwhelming.
"Five dinsion upgrades," she managed. "What does that even an?"
"Anything you want." Isha’s voice carried sothing that sounded like pride. "Pavilion space expansions. Ti dilation modifications. Resource generation systems. Training simulation environnts. Anything within Nexus capability." He shook his head slowly. "Most contractors never earn one."
The screen cleared, then displayed the final summary:
═══════════════════════════════════
MISSION ASSESSNT COMPLETE
TOTAL REWARDS SUMMARY
═══════════════════════════════════
AURA STONES: 55 total
Primary Mission: 5
Side Mission 1: 25
Side Mission 2: 25
Hidden Mission: 0
CONTRACTOR CLASS UPGRADES: 2 (imdiate application)
Side Mission 3: 2 upgrades
DINSION UPGRADES: 5 (any type, any category)
Hidden Mission: 5 upgrades
RIT POINTS: 12,375 total
Primary Mission: 75 (25 base
50 bonus)
Side Mission 1: 400 (150 base
250 bonus)
Side Mission 2: 400 (150 base
250 bonus)
Side Mission 3: 4,000 (1,500 base
2,500 bonus)
Hidden Mission: 7,500 (2,500 base
5,000 bonus)
MISSION POINTS: 1,250 total
Primary Mission: 50 (25 base
25 bonus)
Side Mission 1: 300 (150 base
150 bonus)
Side Mission 2: 300 (150 base
150 bonus)
Side Mission 3: 300 (150 base
150 bonus)
Hidden Mission: 300 (150 base
150 bonus)
CURRENT CONTRACTOR LEVEL: 2
RITS TO LEVEL 3: 25,000 required
CURRENT PROGRESS: 32,260.10 / 25,000
═══════════════════════════════════
The display held for several seconds, then:
LEVEL UP AVAILABLE
CONTRACTOR LEVEL 2 → LEVEL 3
Accept automatic advancent?
"Yes," Jayde said imdiately, then realized she probably should have consulted Isha first. "Wait, should I—"
"Yes," Isha confird firmly. "Always accept level advancent. It increases mission access, improves reward rates, and grants additional capabilities. No reason to delay."
ADVANCENT PROCESSING...
Golden light intensified, and Jayde felt sothing shift inside her Nexus connection. Not physical change, but expansion of access—like doors previously locked suddenly opening, revealing corridors that extended further than she could see.
CONTRACTOR LEVEL: 3
MISSION ACCESS: Upgraded to Tier 3 assignnts
REWARD MULTIPLIER: Increased 15%
REPUTATION: Significant boost applied
NEW CAPABILITIES UNLOCKED
Then, before the display could fade:
═══════════════════════════════════
SPECIAL BONUS UNLOCKED
═══════════════════════════════════
ACHIEVENT: Planet-Saving Intervention
RECOGNITION: Civilization-altering impact
REWARD: Herb Garden Access Granted
LOCATION: Pavilion Personal Space
CONTENTS: Garden Shed Inventory Available
SPECIFICATIONS: Self-sustaining magical herb cultivation system
VALUE: Substantial long-term resource generation
═══════════════════════════════════
"Herb garden?" Jayde asked, still processing everything else.
Isha’s tails vibrated with excitent. "Agricultural knowledge system. Grows magical herbs autonomously. Self-harvesting, self-replenishing. So contractors spend decades trying to unlock that." He laughed again. "Nexus has a sense of irony. You transford a world through farming, so you get permanent farming capability."
The display finally faded, leaving the assessnt chamber in normal white lighting.
Jayde sat down—just collapsed onto the floor because standing required more processing capability than she currently possessed.
"Fifty-five Aura Stones," she said to empty air. "That’s wealth beyond imagination."
"Two class upgrades," Isha added. "Which you already used one—went from Level 2 to Level 3, and you have one more waiting."
"Five dinsion upgrades. Whatever I want."
"Twelve thousand rit points." Isha’s voice carried deep satisfaction. "Most contractors earn maybe a thousand points per year. You earned twelve thousand in thirty-eight days."
Because I did what Federation officers are trained to do, Jayde thought. Assess the situation. Identify all problems. Solve everything thoroughly. Leave nothing half-done.
"Speaking of dinsion upgrades..." Jayde straightened, a thought crystallizing. "Yinxin and the wyrmlings are still in my pet space. It’s cramped. Dark. No room to fly." She turned to Isha. "Can the Pavilion be upgraded to house them properly? Like... actual living space where they can be comfortable?"
Isha’s entire form blazed with sudden excitent. "Can it? Jayde, that’s—" He practically bounced. "Yes! Absolutely yes! There are specific upgrades for contracted companion housing. Different terrain types, size options, even climate controls." His tails lashed with enthusiasm. "We can create a proper dragon sanctuary. Mountains for lairs, open sky for flying, hunting grounds—"
"You sound excited," Jayde observed, smiling despite her exhaustion.
"Excited? I’m thrilled." Isha’s fox form solidified enough to look almost real. "Do you have any idea how amazing it’ll be to have dragons living in the Pavilion? Ancient silver dragons at that?" He paused, composing himself slightly. "Also, it’s the right thing to do. Keeping them cramped in a pet space after everything they’ve been through would be cruel."
"Tomorrow then?" Jayde suggested. "We look at the upgrade options and build them a proper ho?"
"First thing in the morning," Isha agreed imdiately. "I’ll start reviewing the available packages tonight." He tilted his head, studying her. "You know, most contractors would’ve just left them in pet space. Easier. Less expensive. But you’re thinking about their quality of life."
"They’re not prisoners," Jayde said quietly. "They’re family."
Sothing shifted in Isha’s expression—a warmth she’d rarely seen from the usually sarcastic fox. "Yeah. They are."
Outside the assessnt chamber, Pavilion space waited—familiar training halls, her simple living quarters, and soon, a proper sanctuary for dragons who’d trusted her with their lives.
The academy assessnt lood two months ahead, promising education, challenges, and a future that extended beyond imagination. Ti enough to integrate everything she’d learned on Telia, master her new capabilities, and prepare for whatever ca next.
But tonight, in this white room with a translucent fox and holographic displays showing rewards that seed unreal, Jayde let herself feel the satisfaction of a job truly well done.
Mission complete.
Assessnt passed.
Level advanced.
And tomorrow, she’d give four dragons the ho they deserved.
"So," Isha said, tails resuming normal swishing pattern. "Should probably rest. You’ve had a long thirty-eight days."
Despite exhaustion, despite overwhelming information, Jayde smiled.
"Yeah. Rest sounds good."
The journey continued.
But tonight, celebration was absolutely justified.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges—building a dragon sanctuary, planning her academy approach, continuing to evade the Freehold Clan.
Tonight belonged to recognition well earned.
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