Damon's Ascension-Chapter 95: Assembling The Team 4

The group arrived at the marketplace of Vritu Enterprises and reached the Common Goods District under the lead of Damon and another elf assigned to this area. When they told her of their desires, she seemed to be amused and led them along to the showroom where virtual models of various spaceships were sold.

The elf admin, a tall and regal woman with glimmering green eyes and long silver hair braided into a crown, bowed slightly before Damon and the gathered humans. Her tone was polite but carried the brisk sharpness of someone used to high-profile clients.

"This way, please," she said, gesturing with a gloved hand as a doorway formed from nothing.

The group followed her through, stepping into a massive showroom that looked more like a holy sanctuary for engineers than a store.

Humongous holograms of spaceships floated in open view, slowly rotating above polished marble floors, each with specifications hovering above large terminals in front of them.

"I will begin with the basic classifications of vessels since you are likely new to the Galactic Society," the elf began, walking backward as the ships shifted around her.

She continued. "Ships are divided by class based on size, core power, crew capacity, combat capability, and hyperspace efficiency."

Damon nodded. "Give us the short version."

The elf nodded stately. "Of course. At the bottom are Shuttles and Skiffs, built for short-range travel, personal use, or planetary-to-orbital transit. Fast, but no combat capabilities to speak of."

"Next are Frigates, which can house up to twenty people, hold small armaments, and travel between systems at moderate speed." She said as she gestured to a floating model.

Xela raised a hand. "Are they cute?"

"No," the elf answered bluntly.

"Okay." Xela said with disappointment.

Felicia cleared her throat. "Continue."

The elf admin glanced at Xela askance and went on. "Above that are Corvettes and Destroyers. Corvettes are the entry-level for long-range ships, with full FTL (faster than light) capabilities and defensive shields. Destroyers are larger, often used for patrol or fleet support, and usually come with heavier firepower."

"And after that?" Damon asked.

"Cruisers, you must mean," the elf said, her tone indicating they were entering the real options.

She added after gesturing to one such model on display. "They are medium-to-large ships capable of independent system-wide travel. Very good for long missions, are customizable to a large extent, and have mid-to-high tier combat potential."

"What about capital ships?" Bane asked quietly.

"Battleships and Dreadnoughts, surely overkill for a single race or private party. They have high maintenance costs, are targeted by everyone in wartime, and most importantly—" she paused with a small smile.

"—are not available to purchase unless you’re a planetary government or a coalition-backed force." She finished with a neutral tone as she floated on the spot.

"Shame, I wanted to flex on space pirates." Henry muttered.

"I have no doubt you would," Felicia said dryly.

"I heard you have spaceships created from those from our culture and fiction?" Kyle suddenly asked with a frown.

The elf admin glanced at him and nodded. "That is correct, we have already replicated the possible models from your fiction. Many of them are quite a hotcake in the galactic market due to the unique design and the interesting specifications."

The elf turned elegantly and swept her arm outward. "If you will follow me to the Simulation Wing, I will showcase a few of the more... iconic replicas from your home planet’s creative catalog. All are available in Cruiser-class scale, with options for higher or lower classes if desired."

The group followed her through another luminous archway, which opened into a chamber where each section had a different Earth-based spaceship glowing in full 3D rotation.

"This is gonna be good," Henry whispered, already grinning ear to ear.

The elf gestured to the first ship, a massive angular construct lined with sharp edges and heavy armor plating. "This one is called the Imperial Star Destroyer, from your ’Star Wars’ universe. High intimidation factor, immense firepower, and long-range sensor arrays. Its cons are its slow acceleration, the massive energy consumption, and the high crew requirements well beyond your current race’s ability to fill."

Kyle nodded solemnly. "A classic... but not very practical unless we want to scream ’please shoot us first.’"

The elf then led them to a sleeker, saucer-shaped vessel. "USS Enterprise-D, from your ’Star Trek’ series. Very popular in the galaxy today, just like the series itself. It is optimized for exploration, diplomacy, scientific research, defensive combat, and comes with a self-replicating food module as well as luxurious quarters."

"Sounds cozy," Xela said, leaning forward with interest.

The elf admitted with shining eyes. "It is. Unfortunately, it’s not ideal for prolonged stealth missions or navigating the Chaos Realm, as its sensors are optimized for regulated space otherwise it would be the flagship of the universe going forward."

Next, she pointed to a dirty, beat-up cargo vessel. "Serenity. A cult favorite among your kind. It needs a small crew, is very fast and easy to repair, and is adaptable. It can also be upgraded to a Frigate or Corvette equivalent."

Bane raised a brow. "Too flimsy."

"Agreed," Levi muttered.

"Now here," the elf said, stopping before a dark, bird-like ship with a predatory design.

"Is the Normandy SR-2, from your ’Mass Effect.’ Excellent stealth systems, great mobility, smaller crew requirements, and scalable armament options. Highly recommended by multiple buyers." She explained with a slight nod.

Damon raised his eyebrows slightly. "Sounds almost perfect."

"The downside is its low base defenses. Without upgrades, it’s fragile." The elf warned, not wanting to receive complaints from a fellow top 5 ranked species for their business practices.

Finally, the elf admin gestured to a golden, ornately designed cruiser shaped like a phoenix. "This is a hybrid model, adapted from the concept art of your many RPG-based fantasy space games. Customizable core and form. It’s the most flexible option available, but it demands heavy maintenance and an experienced AI navigator."

Everyone stood silent for a moment.

"So, what do you all think?" Damon spoke, turning to his team with a smile.

Felicia crossed her arms. "The Enterprise has everything but feels too idealistic. The Normandy strikes the balance best for our current needs. Mid-sized, stealth-based, and easily upgradeable."

"I vote Normandy too," Kyle said.

He then clenched his fist with emotion. "It’s an anime protagonist ship for sure, and just needs the theme music."

"I like the golden one," Xela chimed in.

"It’s pretty and feels magical. But... yeah, Normandy is probably better." She said but quickly changed her words when Felicia glared at her.

"Enterprise’s luxury is wasted on us," Levi said bluntly.

"And the Destroyer is a target magnet. Normandy is the practical choice." Connor added calmly.

Protizen nodded slowly. "And I can reinforce the Normandy’s armor using my ability, which would solve its defense issue."

"Alright, that settles it then." Damon concluded.

He turned to the elf admin with a business-like smile. "We’ll order the SR-2 Normandy-class ship, full spec, max stealth, modular combat add-ons, AI-compatible. Let’s hope the galaxy’s as impressed by Earth’s fiction as we are."

The elf bowed with a soft smile. "An excellent choice. I will begin the purchase and transfer arrangements immediately."

After this, Damon allowed the group to go and explore the marketplace while he handled the final registration procedures. This was necessary because this was the only way to link to the IUAS quantum network which had a detailed star chart, the hyperspace routes, and the necessary passes to enter various domains.

After this was done, he came back to see that most everyone had made some small purchases, which he genially paid for in order to bring some closeness to the team.

"Delivery will be in 3 hours at your chosen collection point outside of your solar system. It has truly been a pleasure doing business with you." The elf admin said, pleased by the expansive purchase made and the continual patronization by the human race.

Everyone was closely watching this species, so their action of always coming to them had increased their sales volume exponentially. It is even said that Kissuo and Talia Vritu were thinking of ways to invite Damon to a banquet to bring the two top races closer.

After leaving the Vritu Marketplace, Damon took his group over to the Trust and Trades Company World that he had just been in a few hours ago, his unique presence and high purchase still on the mouths of the working goblins here.

Naturally, seeing him come again with his group made them feel a mixture of amusement and speechlessness. They had heard of addiction to shortcuts, but this fellow was too much!

You are a top 5 race and your future is endlessly bright, so just work hard honestly in your 20-year grace period and accumulate skills.

Seriously, why are you coming here to cheat?

If our emperor had not discovered this method, then what would you humans have done?