Among my many troubles -- corpos, plague, the economy, and the ever-present existential dread of what I am -- one of the things I miss the most of my old life was my ability to hold a book and to read, take notes. In my current form, I can no more hold a scroll than a croissant. I must access the data banks. This is my new top priority. --77.7 Seconds Post-Integration.

  A couple more days crawled by -- Clark and crew worked then went their own ways after their shift prior to their evening ruckus of reading. Clark saw how his schedule already denoted an upcoming Qoon session. He wasn't looking forward to it. Snitch training, how lovely...

  What he was looking forward to, sort of, was the next study group session. They had made good progress on the dwarven structure, and he wanted to press his progress to its limit. If they didn't, he was acutely aware how it would reflect poorly on him as the Dungeon Champion. Somewhere in the library books were clues about how to operate the pod they unearthed. He would be darned if he let that knowledge slip through his fingers.

  His crew met at his dorm as per the usual. Clark had everyone get right to the point regarding their reading summaries.

  Hera began this time. "I actually finished my book. It was fascinating. Unfortunately, the book said nothing about dwarven technology. Would you like me to review what I read?"

  Clark thought about it. "Sure. Keep your points brief, please."

  Hera reviewed the material. Each chapter she covered brought to the table new concepts regarding 'Power,' and how dwarves used notions of power to overcome a new problem. Usually, that problem related to their oppression. He shared Hera's view that the topic was fascinating, especially how dwarves leveraged their engineering skills to secure so-called 'autonomous pastures' for their people under various crowns' protection. Ultimately, Hera's assertion was right -- none of it related at all to dwarven technology insofar as the issue of the pods went.

  "Okay. Incredible as always, Hera. Thank you for your effort. Theo? Care to give your summary?" Clark asked his buddy.

  "Sure. I didn't finish my book, but I did get another couple of chapters done. Umm... not much? I hate to say it. One chapter covered that idea that Hera mentioned, by coincidence, the 'autonomous pastures' thing, but more in-depth I would guess than what Hera read. Or it felt that way to me. Each pasture had, like, a leader which acted on behalf of a council which was formed of members of sub-councils. So many councils... so many..." Theo went on and explained the next chapter which was merely a dwarven counterpoint to the council heavy form of dwarven history -- the so-called 'Roving Dwarves,' who moved as a group through the vast underground structures of the world. "Roving Dwarves," Theo explained, "were more exploratory, I guess? Some societies focused on finding a way back to the Celestial Lands. Others wanted some unclaimed territory to call their own. I'm sure there is more to it, but I haven't gotten there yet in the book."

  Hera and Theo's efforts impressed him. Despite it, there was something which unnerved him about the readings. It all seemed so... pointless.

  "I guess it is my turn to share," he said. "I finished my book, but it was short, so I can't take the credit for working hard. I will review the general points before moving into the only real point of value." Clark did so, covering the elements of dwarven social customs that the book contained. Which was hardly anything, when he thought about it. Bows, handshakes, presumed greetings and mercantile policies. None of which was known absolutely as the author took pains in many paragraphs to inform the reader how they were working on conjecture and spurious documents. "What I did find useful was a passage about responsibility and roles within a group. Let me read the passage to you. And I quote, 'Dwarven Leadership is more than the responsible delegation of tasks. In addition to the typically assumed chores of a mass leader, such as war planning and trade establishment, Dwarven leadership involved heavily with the storage of usable goods. Dwarven leaders, in fact, were the only ones allowed to enter the clan storehouses.' Don't you two find this noteworthy?"

  His friends mused. Hera shifted in her seat. "I think I see why you find it interesting," she spoke. "Why only the leader?"

  "Exactly. The book mentioned that whenever the leader entered the storehouse, light shined from their body. The author doesn't go into detail what that light was -- probably didn't know -- but what is our trouble with our dwarven pod? It is trouble based on interaction. First, SIMP had to spend months bypassing its security measures, then we had to find a way to restore some informational data to the pod since its internal mechanisms had died out -- the solution to which we only stumbled on to when I cleansed that node a few days ago. Now what is the issue? We don't know what that pulsating sphere of light is... SIMP thinks it is similar to a soul gem but what even is a soul gem? We don't know, not really. The way I see it, our trouble is all based on interaction. In this passage, the dwarf leader interacted with some kind of dwarven structure. He gained entry. Why?"

  "I get ya!" Theo yelped. "The books we've been reading have been pointless then, huh?"

  "I wouldn't say pointless. They've taught us a lot. But what we need is more specialized books. Theo... I want you to accompany me to the library again. We're going to look for more books on dwarven engineering. This time, we will stay there for as long as it takes."

  Hera accompanied them this time. Clark was going to give her the night off, but she insisted. "Three searchers are better than two," she said curtly.

  It wasn't possible to argue with her logic, so he allowed her to come.

  "I would like to return these books," Clark said to the half-dozing clerk at the main desk.

  The clerk took the books and scanned each one. After each scan, the machine made an angry beeping sound.

  "Your books are late." The librarian's tone was unimpressed.

  "But I renewed..." was all Clark said.

  "Yes. You did. But you are months past the renewal limit."

  "Oh... I'm sorry. I will be better."

  "There is a late fee," the librarian glared at him. Twenty Standard Credits per book. "Your total comes to a hundred credits."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Clark was dumbfounded. He didn't think a late fee would be so much. Twenty per book seemed obscene! Could normal people really afford such fees?!

  "Okay. I will--"

  "But since this is your first offense, I will provide a one-time reduction. Fifty credits for the lot."

  "Okay. Thank you, ma'am."

  Clark reached on his shoulder for the ever-present System Link cable. He snapped it on to a receiver port. Lights blinked in and out before a much more pleasant ding ended the process.

  [Library Late Fee Processed: -50 Standard Credits]

  "Thank you, sir, for your payment. Please remember that returning our books on time is important. Not just for the functioning of the library but for other library patrons as well. You never know who might want to read what you have!"

  "Of course. I am sorry. I just lost track of the time. It all seems a blur sometimes."

  Clark was about to end the interaction and head down to the stacks when he noticed one of the books he returned. How Can They Do It? Dwarves and their Engineering Challenges by Finley Fromage. He had been so busy with reading his one selection, he had forgotten he had already picked a book on Dwarven Engineering! "Could I please renew this book, actually? I didn't get around to reading it while I had it."

  The clerk looked at him incredulously. They took hold of the book, scanned it again, then rubbed the back of its spine on some strange piece of plastic. The machine beeped again. The clerk handed him back the book. "This time, do return it on time."

  "Will do!" Clark saluted and turned on his feet.

  While they waited for the elevator, Hera fidgeted. "Twenty credits per late book -- incredible!" Clark was relieved when she sounded annoyed. So, it wasn't just him who thought it excessive!

  "Right? I know I wasn't that responsible with the books, but man, that seems like overkill!"

  Hera looked like they had more to say on the topic of his responsibility. She said nothing, however.

  The elevator pinged. He and Hera and Theo walked into the empty vessel. Clark hit the button for the basement stacks, closing the doors.

  "Did you really have a book on dwarven engineering already?" Theo laughed. "Bro! And I think I am sometimes forgetful!"

  "Oh! That reminds me. Books like this is the only thing I am interested in," Clark told Theo. "When we are back at that big cabinet full of index cards, I would like us to focus only on titles that sound like they're engineering, and technology related."

  "Easy enough. I doubt we will find much, though. I recall our last visit not exactly filling us with a lot of dwarf-related books."

  "We found five," Hera reminded Theo.

  "Yeah. But five books spread across multiple disciplines. This time we are only looking for tech books. It's been only a few months since we were last here. I really don't think much will have changed, though I hope it has!"

  The elevator door opened, and Theo led them straight to the cabinet. As Theo searched the many, many index cards, he made chittering noises, whispering little words of encouragement.

  While Theo worked his way through each row, systematically combing the rows for a book which might be of their interest, Clark wandered aimlessly between the empty aisles filled with but humble books few people in this crazy tower cared about. He read random titles to pass the time: A New Geological Survey of the Northern Provinces of Badland. Just the title put him to sleep. He saw a book titled The Godforged Cube World: Myth, Legend, and What We Know. That one sounded fascinating, as Clark always had liked mythology, but Theo called for him before he could take a peek inside.

  "Okay. I have found the following books. Which ones seem the most useful, you think?" Theo asked.

  Clark took a gander at the list:

  Dwarven Roots and Civilizational Understanding by Pupil Iris

  The Technological Legacy of the Dwarven People by Globe Blue

  How to Rebuild: A Theological Seminar on Dwarven Spirituality and the Body by Church

  The Spread of Dwarven Technology: Plague or Progress? 11.008 - 1209 by Bede New

  New Geological Surveys of the Dwarven Settlement Ring by the University of Augustford

  And finally, Old Talents Made New: Dwarf Enhancements by the Higher Tech Council.

  Clark took a closer look at each one. "Let's get rid of this 'Dwarven Roots' one by the Pupil guy. We're not interested in how dwarven society functions. Let's also get rid of that 'spread of dwarf technology,' one since we're not interested in how dwarven craft has been received by non-dwarves. Same for the one about geological surveys. The rest we can take."

  Clark grabbed hold of the remaining books and took them to the front desk, his friends in toe behind him. He handed the clerk the books who took them and quickly scanned them. "Interested in dwarves, I see. Just like my six-year-old."

  Clark didn't respond. He merely thanked the clerk and was on his way.

  "What the feck is that guy's problem?!" Theo raged back at Clark's dorm. "Just like my six-year-old," he mocked. "What, can't a guy go and research a subject without being compared to an infant?! He was looking for a reason to start trouble with you! Guys like that tick me off something bad!"

  "Me too. People often say weird things to me. I don't know why, though. I've been teaching myself to ignore it."

  "It's because you're from the Wastes, Clark. People have wild misconceptions about Wasters." Hera's words made him think.

  "What kind of misconceptions?" he asked.

  "The misconception can vary depending on the bigot. I've heard everything under the sun, from the idea that Wasters are an ignorant and simplistic people to notions of them being pagans and engaged in ritual killings. All of it is outlandish, of course. Wasters are no different than us non-Wasters. That said, one doesn't see a Waster too often anymore. If your life revolves around the Tower and dungeon, then the outside world might seem wilder than it is to such an imagination..."

  Theo placed his hand on Clark's shoulder. "Sorry you have to deal with that crap, man."

  "Thanks... I guess it's up to me to set the example..." Clark said, not knowing what else to say.

  "That's the thing, though, Clark. It shouldn't be 'up to you,' to set the example. It should be inherent in them, as people, to treat you well whatever wild misinformation they might've heard. We stray further from the Gods every time someone ignores their holy duty at Familiarity. I think it is one of the biggest issues facing society today." Hera spoke with conviction. Her beliefs were not mere sugar-coated words to help a friend but genuine belief.

  "Short of starting a movement, what can we do? I think we should shelf this topic for now. We have books to get into..." Clark wanted to re-orient the conversation. This talk about prejudice and where one came from was above his desire to understand at the moment.

  "True!" Hera uttered. "Like previously, I am willing to take the hardest book if that will lighten the load."

  Clark took a moment to consider. He briefly read random passages from each of his new library books. After he considered what topic interested him the most, he gave Hera the book on 'dwarven enhancement,' by Church. That book seemed the most academic. He had no doubt Hera would make short work of it, though.

  "Same. Just hand me a book and I will read," Theo added.

  Another moment of consideration later and he gave Theo 'technological legacy' by the Globe Blue fellow.

  "Which means, I will take the 'old talents made new' by the Higher Tech Council." Clark finished handing out the new library books. "Now that we have our assignments, shall we get right into it or wait? How are we feeling?"

  "I say we get going on them," Hera suggested. "I don't have anything planned and our library trip didn't take as long as I thought it would. We should be frugal with our time both on and off Augustford's clock."

  "I wouldn't mind a small break..." Theo said. "It hurt my eyes squinting at all that tiny index card text."

  "That would've hurt my eyes, too. How about we take an hour then regroup?"

  "Heck yeah" was Theo enthusiastic answer.

  Clark spent his break stretching out on his bed and making himself and Hera a meal. Nothing fancy. Just pasta and some meat that had been on sale and so Clark bought it at a steal. He offered the remainder to Theo when he came back, and he eat it up in an animalistic way.

  "Ready?" Nodding heads assented. Clark cracked his new book open and started to read.