“You first need to remember the basic function of Tec is to unify every aspect of our lives. It allows us to use each other’s technology and to quantify us in a measurable and comparable way. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we are limited by it. True, some species can have very high scores even at level zero, but it often comes at the expense of something else. The Gorath have immense strength and are fearsome warriors on the battlefield, but their size makes it hard for them to interact with most other enlightened species. This limits their trade and thus their race’s technological advancement. There are rumors of god-like beings at the edge of the known galaxy, but they keep to themselves. Mostly.”

“I see …” Nori said slowly. “Still seems imbalanced.”

“There are ways to offset that, of course,” Alzigo said. “Implants, augmentation, even treatments to increase your attributes or Path score directly. As a matter of fact, most beings have at least one such enhancement.”

“So the entire galaxy is into body modification,” Bulco said irritably. “Fan-fucking-tastic.”

Their host shrugged. “It is the accepted way. Once your race travels beyond your star system and meets new cultures, you too will learn to accept it.”

“I think that sounds great,” Lana said. “I for one can’t wait to go out and meet new cultures and talk to interesting aliens.”

Nori and Bulco exchanged a glance. The young girl’s attitude had changed since being too timid to step into an alien space station.

“No chance of that with how damaged our ship is,” Bulco grunted, shaking his head. “Our Null Tunnel drive is busted, life support is about to go down, and structural integrity is severely compromised. She needs a lot of lovin’ before we can take her out for a long journey.”

“My station can repair most of the damage,” the alien said. ”But I’m afraid you’ll need a new Null Tunnel unit and I don’t have one to sell you and it is too complex to fabricate. I can order one and have it brought in, but that would take weeks and require a large amount of piTec.”

“We need a bunch of other stuff as well,” Nori said. “Things that aren’t available as an upgrade: weapons, better sensors, landing gear, a way to exit the hangar without venting half the ship …”

Their hosts shook his head sorrowfully. “I’m afraid you’ll have to reach a port with more advanced facilities than my own. Many of the larger space stations can offer technical upgrades, but mine is too small for that.”

“That’s fine,” Nori said. “We’re done with space travel for now anyway. The ship will hold as long as we’re just flying it inside the atmosphere. Let’s worry about dealing with the Warped first before we go explore the galaxy.”

Bulco nodded. “I’m down with that.”