byLost Boy©
Sorry this one took some time to crank out. Had a flurry of ideas I wanted to knit together. I am introducing a few new characters, Charlie and his wife Becca. I hope you enjoy this installment. Please vote and comment to tell me how you like the direction the story is going.
Appointments:
I awoke promptly at six a.m. on Tuesday morning and found that my clothes had been laid out. I sat up and heard the sound of my shower running. When I walked into the bathroom there was a feminine silhouette waiting patiently for me. I stripped down and slid the frosted glass door to the side and there to greet me with a fresh smile was Mary.
"I just got off," she purred in my ear.
"I hope not," I said pulling her petite body to mine.
"You know what I MMMMMMMMMM," I silenced her with a kiss.
Her right leg moved up and around wrapping my waist. My hands roamed over her back until they settled on her rounded ass cheeks. She moaned in my mouth as my hardness, she had inspired, slid beneath her sex. I lifted her hips up and she took me in hand. Even with our tongues dueling she knew what I wanted and guided me deep into her. Mary's back hit the back of the shower as I began to thrust into her. Now both of her legs were wrapped tightly around me as I pounded her hard and fast. She broke our kiss as she panted and moaned loudly.
"Oh yes... oh god..." she begged for more. "Bend me over Jon; I want to feel you behind me."
I hammered her harder now before I slowed and relented to her desire. Her feet touched the shower floor and I slid out of her. I spun her around as she thrust her ass out. Then I grabbed her by the hips and slammed my cock home which was rewarded by a howl of pleasure from Mary. This was also followed by a pounding on the wall from my mother.
"Jesus H Christ... keep it down in there some people have hangovers..."
Mary clamped a hand over her mouth as I continued to ram my hips forward. I took my pleasure without thought of her or my poor suffering mother. Soon my cock was swelling inside of her and she was moaning loudly despite the hand muffling her cries. As my imminent orgasm stretched her pussy Mary was forced to bite her hand as her own climax was seconds away. Her scream slipped passed her defenses it came on so strong and her voice echoed in the confined space. Then she dutifully assumed the position as I shot my morning load all over her face and tits. I looked down into those feline eyes of hers and smiled.
"Morning," I panted.
"MMMMMMMM Morning Master," she replied weakly.
We actually washed up after that and I was forced to dress and head downstairs for breakfast. I didn't want to upset Faye that just wouldn't do. As I ate in a very chipper mood Melody arrived bleary eyed and a little cranky.
"Damn Jon she's a screamer," Melody pronounced.
"That's my Mary," Faye said as she poured Melody's coffee.
"Morning Faye," Melody said with a weak smile.
"It's so good to see her feeling better," Faye said though no one asked or offered.
"Yep she feels real good," I said with a winning smile.
"Oh YOU," Faye replied with a giggle.
Melody grumbled something under her breath as she sipped her coffee. After breakfast we headed for the car that was waiting out front for us.
"Let mom sleep in late please," I asked Faye as I kissed her cheek. "Breakfast was amazing as always."
"Don't forget this," Faye said holding up a thermos of coffee for Melody.
"You are a life saver," Melody said taking the thermos.
"I know sweetness, I know."
I sat in my office playing with the AO alloy cube waiting for my first meeting of the morning to begin. Sure it was juvenile and something a kid would do but hell I had time to kill so why not. I had kept my promise to myself and had managed to push the time I could remotely influence the psycho-sensitive material for a whopping six and a half minutes. That beat my time for the day before by a full minute and a half. I was definitely making progress but I still hadn't figured out how to keep the damn stuff in a form after my concentration left it. Right now I had it looking quite a bit like a tripod from War of the Worlds lumbering across my desk with its awkward three legged gait.
The door suddenly opened without as much as a knock and Hastings stepped in unannounced. I glared at him even as I mentally shouted 'stay' at the three inch high alloy figure.
"What is it Hastings?"
"I just needed a minute of your time," he said as he sat across from me.
"Have a seat," I said my temper only getting worse by the second.
"I just wanted to put a word in for the position of CEO since that seems to be part of the next meeting."
"It is I am assigning the positions of the people picked yesterday and that will all be discussed in the meeting."
"Still it never hurts to speak plainly as you put it," he said with a smile.
I had seen that smile a lot when I was in prison. It is the grin of the predator who thinks they can get what they want by intimidation. Sadly he was greatly mistaken if he thought that would work on me.
"Actually it could Hastings," I told him returning his smile. "For instance I might pick say Melody as CEO instead of you. Hell I might just appoint you as Plant Manager and have done with it."
"You don't want to do that," he said leaning forward flashing the insignia ring he wore.
I immediately recognized the three swords and the eye and that wasn't lost on him.
"So you are familiar with our little brotherhood. Good now here is how it is going to go, you appoint me CEO and get the fuck out of London as soon as you can. How's that for you?"
"How's about this," I said biting back my anger and finishing my thought coolly. "You get the fuck out of my office before something bad happens to you. I don't take threats boy I hand them out. Now stand up, turn around and march your sorry ass out of here."
Hastings snarled and did as he was told but I knew it wasn't over. Now I couldn't go to Nick and tell him one of his precious members threatened me so I had to handle it quietly.
"Sterling," I said.
"Yes Master," she purred hearing the anger boiling over in my voice now.
"I need to arrange a little accident," I frowned.
"I will take care of it Master rest easy."
And I did knowing that she would take care of my problem with machine proficiency. Then I looked down and my jaw nearly dropped when I saw the little tripod still stood despite my lack of mental attention upon it.
"I did it! I fucking did it! But how did I do it?"
Sadly I was torn from my plaything for real life endeavors. I strode into the meeting room and Melody didn't miss the chill in the air that followed me in. I saw the silent prayer she said as I took my seat.
"Ladies and gentlemen thank you for your hard work that has led to your appointment to the board of directors of Numenor Technology London. I want to begin the meeting by working our way up from the Plant Manager position to that of CEO if that will acceptable?" There were nods all around so I continued. "I have spent last night and this morning looking over everyone's files and work experience. At this point I would like to see who you would like to nominate as Plant Manager at this time?"
So the meeting progressed as one by one those seated were nominated and appointed to their positions. We were finally down to the CFO and CEO positions. The last two people left to be assigned were Melody and Hastings. I don't think anyone in the room was really surprised at that particular outcome. But unknown to all but me there were a few surprises on the way.
"Now it appears that we have only to decide who becomes CEO and who gets CFO. Now as far as my Chief Financial Officer I have decided not to choose Mr. Hastings here."
He smiled thinking that he had been chosen for Chief Executive Officer.
"I would also like to announce that he will also NOT be appointed to CEO."
"What the fuck are you trying to pull Masters?"
"Just this," I said and pointed towards the door as it opened and three men stepped in.
Two were obvious police officers the third was a detective from Scotland Yard.
"William Hastings Esquire we are placing you under arrest," the detective intoned as he read him his rights.
Hastings spun on me and the look of shock was clear.
"What are the charges," he asked as he was lifted up and handcuffed.
"Embezzlement of company funds and murder," the detective calmly said.
"Murder, I didn't kill anyone!"
"We have received very damning evidence on an open murder case involving one Ginger Hastings, your sister. Now come along with us. Sorry for the interruption."
They dragged Hastings away who was cursing and screaming the entire time.
"Set, game and match," I muttered under my breath.
"Remind me to never ever piss you sir," Melody whispered.
"Umbra set a reminded for Melody here," I said with a smile. "Well we have two positions to fill and only one candidate. But it saddens me that Melody here will not be advancing to a position on the board, just yet. I have in fact met with two former members of the board and agreed to accept their sons to fill the last two positions. If there is no other business, I will meet with each of you individually as the week progresses and see how you are getting along."
But I never got a chance to adjourn the meeting. Katie Hobs our new Plant Manager turned to me and I nodded. She was a mousy brunette with thick glasses, short brown hair and features that were an interesting hybrid of solid European stock and either Slavic or Russian. She wore a bland gray business suit with a long skirt and modest shoes. If I were going to describe her living style it would have been frugal. She set down a manila folder and opened it and began. Though her words came out haltingly at first once she built up a head of steam she plowed right through it.
"As you may or may not be aware the plant was never full completed to spec. We did the best we could with the allotted time but there is one crucial part of the assembly line that was not constructed. It has no affect on the current product we are manufacturing but when we switch over well we need to take care of it and soon."
I smiled at her and nodded but just then a red LED display appeared in my field of vision. It was a clock and it was counting down from ten seconds.
"I was going to bring that up actually but I am glad you did Katie. What were your thoughts on how we should handle this issue?" I asked her but even as she cleared her throat, there came a sound from outside the plant.
It sounded like tearing and splintering of wood and steel. That was followed by the concussive blast wave that actually blew out windows on the eastern side of the plant. Everyone seated at the table flew from their seats to see what had happened. I leaned over Melody to see the smoldering ruin that had been the marked police car. No one could have survived that twisted and melted piles of metal. Then I saw that workers from the plant were helping the two police officers and the detective to their feet. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
'Oops,' Sterling sent to me silently.
'OOPS? Oops is dropping a shaker of salt. What the fuck did you do?'
'I dropped the crane from the neighboring warehouse down Master.'
'That's a little overkill don't you think?' I bit back the chuckle that had been building in my throat.
'Master is laughing? You are a sick, sick man Master of mine.'
'I suppose I am.'
Melody and the others watched on in horror as the emergency vehicles arrived and the fire was eventually contained.
"Katie," I said at last. "Send everyone home with full pay and cancel the second shift. It's going to take time to move that wreckage. Perhaps this is a good time to finish that part of the assembly line?"
"Yes sir, I'll take care of it."
I contacted Nick and informed him of the little accident, he had already been in the loop concerning Hastings upcoming arrest and crimes. But as I told him about his death I did add the little bit about the threat in my office and this Silver Twilight Lodge. That part seemed to concern him more than the plant being shut down for retooling. He agreed to look into it and I felt that the first domino of something ugly might have already fallen concerning this subject. Then he was gone and I was left with my thoughts.
I sat in my office staring at the little tripod that could. What did I do to make it keep its current shape? Strange that I shouldn't feel a bit of remorse for the life I had caused to be snuffed out. I never gave it second thought really; he was a threat that if I hadn't acted as I had would have escaped justice. The Silver Twilight would have freed him somehow of that I was certain. So it really was a moot point now onto more important things. The tripod was frozen in midstride on my desk and I wanted to know why.
I closed my eyes and replayed the events of Hastings barging into my office. What I had done or thought that might have affected the alloy figure. Stay, I had mentally thought stay to the diminutive thing and it had frozen in place! Could it really have been that easy? I opened my eyes and focused my full attention on the tripod and imagined it once more lumbering over the paper clip army and oaken landscape. To my utter surprise it once more took the field and lorded over its human slaves heaving its alien bulk forward. Stay... and it stopped. There came a soft knock at my door and I called out for them to come in. I looked up and there was my mother looking half in shock and half surprised to see me bent over my desk.
"Jon, Jon are you okay," she asked her voice almost cracking with worry.
"Oh I'm fine," I told her.
Maybe it was casual attitude so I decided to explain.
"No one from the plant, well besides the guy arrested for murder was injured."
"You say that like it's a good thing," Mom accused.
"I have told you everything that has happened to me from the beginning. Now I will tell you this he was a continuing threat to this family. So don't you dare shed a single tear for him? He murdered his sister and was embezzling from this company."
I will tell you this there is one quality I inherited from my mom, she is a survivor. Bring family into a situation and it all changes. She crunches the numbers and it comes out like this. Hurt her babies and you have a fight on your hands. Mom gave me a little nod and a grim smile.
"You are right Jon, that evil son of a bitch got what he deserved."
"Glad we see eye to eye on this thing," I told her showing a lot of relief as I took to my feet and moved behind her. "So what brings you to my office in the middle of the day woman?"
I locked the door so that we wouldn't be interrupted. Then I pulled her close so that her ass was rubbing against my hardening flesh. Then my hands moved upward to cup her clothed tits.
"MMMMMMMMM my little cock slut why are you here?"
"I... NNNNNNNNNNN oh Jon that feels so good..."
I unbuttoned her blouse and unhooked her bra from the front. Soon my eager hands were cupping her firm tits.
"You came here to get fucked didn't you admit it," I moaned in her ear as she ground her ass against me.
"No but since I am here," she moaned back. "I'm not wearing panties."
"Unzip me mom," I said as I began to kiss her neck.
Her skilled hands reached back and freed me.
"Good now lift up your skirt and bend over," I directed her.
She leaned against my desk and assumed the position. I eased slowly inside her soaked slit. We both moaned as I drove my hips into her burying my cock deep.
"I was so envious of that little tart this morning," she admitted as I began to pound her slowly.
"You were," I said as I thrust harder and faster now.
"YESSSSSSSSSSSS," she moaned softly.
"Did mommy miss her son's cock this morning," I asked as I nipped her earlobe.
"YESSSSSSSSS," she growled. "Fuck me son... drive that wonderful cock of yours into mommy's pussy!"
"Yes ma'am," I crooned as I took a firm grip on her hips. "Here it comes."
"Give it to me... don't hold back baby... ram that fat cock into me..."
I fucked her as hard as she asked for and then some. The brutal slapping of our bodies sounded loud in my ears. But mom took it in stride and actually managed to thrust her hips back. The old girl fucked like it was breathing, necessary and she'd die without it.
"Oh god damn Jon that feels amazing," she said over her shoulder. "I've never been fucked like this... ever."
"I'll take that as a real compliment from a cock whore like you," I told her.
"You really know how to make a girl feel special," mom responded with a wicked smile and a tight squeeze from her talented pussy.
"UNNNNNNNN you dirty little whore you," I moaned as she continued to squeeze me.
"Like my grip baby?"
"I love it."
I hammered her hard and fast and felt her 'grip' tighten even more as she came for me. Mom managed somehow to bite back that primal scream that would have alerted anyone in the plant to what we were doing. So what came out was a muffled yelp, it was cute actually. I ground my hips against her as her orgasm shook her entire body. Panting and sweating she quivered weakly beneath me as she slowly recovered. I pulled out of her, rolled her onto her back and slammed back into her wet tightness.
"This one's for me," I told her as I started slamming my cock into her without mercy.
Mom's back arched as a second orgasm followed the first. I looked down at her and noticed her freshly shaved pussy.
"You shaved."
"Yes... I did," she moaned softly. "I used your lucky razor."
"It turned out lucky for you," I told her as I hammered her pussy harder than ever.
Mom's eyes closed as she rode out one orgasm after the other. She was heading straight for sensory overload and me right with her. I grabbed her tits for leverage and latched on like a baby ape. I pinched her nipples hard as I rode her. The desk shook from the force I was using to fuck her and she rode the wave like a champ. My cock swelled and swelled as a monster orgasm built inside of me. Mom had to stuff her fist in her mouth to keep from screaming. To consummate our first fuck in my office I yanked my cock from her and sprayed her from tits to the top of her head.
I helped her to her feet and guided her to the private bathroom that included a shower. I thought she was all fucked out but I was dead wrong. After an initial clean up she ended up on her knees and sucking me off once and one more pounding before we left for the day. Ever since Sterling tweaked my, what the hell did she call it, telomeres I have never felt better and seemed able to fuck for hours. When the opportunities presented themselves and thanks to the eager women in my life they did.
Suddenly there was punch to my arm from my mom as she glared at me.
"What the hell was that for," I asked jokingly.
"That's for distracting me and making me forget."
"Forget, forget what," I said scratching my head.
"This," she said handing me an envelope. "I found this after picking up your room, it was under the bed."
"Why were you picking up my room, oh never mind," I replied as I examined the envelope. "Oh Shit! This is the letter that arrived the night Mary got so sick. I completely forgot about it."
"Look where it's from," Mom said.
"Holy crap, that can't be right." I said but there is was Buckingham fucking Palace.
Yet another of Nyarlathotep's tentacles reaching out for me, goddamn it! This isn't something I can just ignore and he knew it.
"What does it say mom?"
"What makes you think I read it... okay the gist of it is this you are going to be knighted and receive a title, the Duke of Exeter. Isn't that great honey?"
"Another piece of the puzzle falling into place is all," I said grimacing.
"What are you going to do Jon?"
"Do, accept a title and see what else the slippery bastard has planned I guess."
"What's your next move then?"
"Go see a man about a tripod," I said leaning over and letting the figure crawl onto my hand and up to my shoulder.
"What is that?"
"A little friend I made," I told her.
Mom and I made our way downstairs just in time to see Mike, the R&D guy, arrive. He seemed in good spirits despite the wreckage outside. Then he saw my little companion and smiled even wider.
"You've been busy boss; I can't wait to hear what you have to share with me."
We made a quick stop before we went to Mike's private domain. Mom was surprised at all the clutter and then she saw the work area and its pristine condition. Clearly he was a man who had a lot on his mind. I set my hand on the table and the tripod leisurely walked down my arm and onto its surface much to my mother's astonishment and Mike's amusement. He even clapped when the tripod did a little bow in his direction.
"Wonderful," Mike said like a young child who had seen his first magic trick. "You have definitely improved on your ability to manipulate the alloy."
"It seems to me that once I discovered how to lock the form in the control became a lot easier."
"That makes sense, so tell me boss how did you do it?"
"Well I'll tell you Mike," it was only then that I noticed the ancient battered army jacket he was wearing and there on his right breast his name, M. Erlin. "Merlin?"
"Oh yeah that," he said sheepishly. "That was my call sign in the military for obvious reasons."
"Did you fight in any of the wars," my mom asked softly.
"Yeah," he said with a grim smile. "...All of them from WW2 to Vietnam. When you get good at something you stick with it. I even got recruited by the yanks for a long stint but I can't talk about that."
"Well you seem a lot happier building things it seems to me," I offered.
"Oh I am boss I am."
"Here's the secret to stabilizing the alloy," I said as I picked up a chunk and it turned into a flawless diamond the size of a baseball. "Stay."
When I set it down it remained a scintillating jewel. Mike crouched down and stared at the sphere shaped crystal and smiled all the wider.
"Well I'll be damned, so simple like most riddles. So what do we do now?"
"I have an experiment I want to try and I want your expert opinion."
"Fire away boss," Mike replied.
"I need all the alloy you have on hand for a test," I told him.
Without saying a word he walked over and grabbed a mail cart and wheeled it over. Then he proceeded to dump all the boxes and cubes of alloy onto the table. The little tripod dodged and weaved until he finally raced up my arm and took refuge on my shoulder. I touched the diamond and it reverted to its natural state.
"Aw, that was so pretty," mom said.
Smiling I reached over for a smaller chunk of alloy and she shook her head. I pointed at a slightly larger on, nope. Finally a piece halfway as large as the original stone seemed to appease her. I cupped it in my hand and another spherical diamond appeared then I stopped and decided to try something. I closed my eyes and I heard gasps from mom and Mike and when I opened my eyes there blazing away at the heart of the crystal a star-like flame.
"Stay," I said and handed it to my mother.
To everyone's surprise the stone kept its shape along with the illumination burning at its core.
"It's amazing Jon," Mom said with tears in her eyes.
"What inspired that," Mike asked.
"A story I read once," was all I said. "Now let's see if my other idea will pay off as well."
"So what's the plan," Mike asked licking his lips.
"Well first," I said and with a mental thrust all of the alloy merged into one massive block. "Now we see how well it takes direction." I said as I placed the A.I. crystal I had taken from the vault on top of the cube, nothing happened.
"It needs power," Mike said as he snatched a lamp and yanked out its power cord.
He separated the two wires, skinned the insulation off of the ends and then plugged it in. Then Mike touched the crystal with the ends, nothing. Next he inserted the ends directly into the alloy.
"Work damn you," Mike growled.
A moment later the crystal flickered and the alloy appeared to melt until it covered most of the work surface. Then to our utter delight thousands of tiny designs began to appear on its surface.
"That looks just like," Mom began.
"Yes a circuit board," I finished for her. "Sterling, send the schematics for the prototypes to the other crystal."
"I can't Master, it hasn't been given a name or designation yet."
"Okay," I said as I closed my eyes and interfaced with the juvenile personality within the crystal.
What I saw was amazing and yet disturbing. It appeared for all intents and purposes an infant in a fetal position just hovering there.
"What is my purpose... what is my name..." it asked over and over.
"Your name is... Stormbringer," I blurted out saying the first thing that popped into my mind.
"Referencing Stormbringer... popular culture... multiple references... ah yes... morality parameters limiting full assimilation. I am Stormbringer. What is my designation Master?"
"Technomancer," again I said the first thing that came to mind.
"Assimilating references, excellent choice Master," the avatar said as its form began to change.
It was one long fluid transformation from infant to full grown man in mere seconds. He was tall and his features were elegantly alien with the upswept almond eyes the color of rubies and his pale white skin. The cascading mane of snow white hair fell nearly down to his naked behind. Tall and thin he was appearing almost anorexic but there was strength there as well. His fingers and toes were long and delicate as if made for performing meticulous tasks such as surgery or maybe even playing the piano. The scarecrow figure bowed to me and smiled a very sardonic grin.
"Am I pleasing to look upon Master?"
"Yes we just need to cover you up a bit," I added and even as I spoke he was wearing ebony robes of the sorcerer persuasion. I nodded my approval.
"I am glad that Master is pleased, now about this alloy what shall I do with it?"
I sent the files and it took mere moments for Stormbringer to absorb its contents.
"I cannot create full scale models with this amount of alloy but I will do my best Master."
"That is all I expect Storm," I said.
"You called me Storm," he said with a look in his eyes like a child that is praised for a good job.
"If that is okay," I asked.
"More than okay Master," he replied. "...more than okay!"
I broke the link and looked around the room. Then I addressed Storm so that everyone could hear.
"Okay Storm, impress me."
There was a flurry of activity on the surface of the alloy as lines formed and reformed as he went to work. I assumed he was calculating the maximum size of a construct he could build with the amount of alloy he had. Then suddenly the sheet of alloy broke apart into dozens of pieces and as before they reverted to their block form. Mike's face fall in disappointment but mom stared down in a hopeful almost motherly way.
"You can do it," she whispered.
The crystal sat on a small block of the alloy and before our eyes it flattened and sent out tiny wire thin tentacles that managed to touch each and every piece of alloy on the table. With a suddenness that surprised us all the blocks took on their new form. It appeared as if someone had thoroughly dissected a small cat. The most obvious was the bones but there were also tendons, muscles and all manner of bio forms. Like some hideous horror flick the pieces began to assemble themselves with a silent efficiency that delighted Mike to no end. Soon the skeleton was intact and then the other pieces slithered into place and the last was the crystal which was lifted by the alloy tentacles onto the gleaming white forehead. Then the fleshless cat sat up and cocked its head to the side and saw our expressions. It seemed to think for a long moment and then abruptly shrunk a bit and then like some primeval ooze an alloy skin flowed over the body and the transformation was complete. It shook itself and suddenly color blossomed all over the cat and it appeared to all assembled as perfect as any other calico kitten. Even the eyes had that cute kitten quality to them.
"I am impressed," I told Storm.
He jumped into my mother's arms and she smiled as she rubbed and snuggled.
"He's so cool to the touch," she remarked and then after a moment. "Oh that is much better."
"Can you purr," Mike asked and there was a short pause and the sound like a small motor came from the cat.
After some adjustments and tweaking the construct could have fooled anyone. Mike looked from the kitten to me and just shook his head.
"Nothing short of genius boss," he commented.
"Storm can you create the other construct or do you need more alloy?"
The cat's eyes lit up and the albino figure appeared on the table top.
"It will take a little time to reprogram the alloy but it shouldn't be too difficult a task."
"Now here is the big question," I said and looked him in the virtual eyes. "Would it be possible for you to switch between the forms easily?"
"I don't know Master until I try. I suspect there might be some glitches at first but with practice I feel confident I could do it."
"Excellent I have every confidence in you," I said.
"Thank you Master that means a lot," Storm replied. "I shall now focus my attention on the second prototype."
The hologram vanished and the cat sat perfectly still.
"I see what you are doing," it was my mother who spoke. "Multiple forms would mean multiple purposes for the avatar."
"Yep that's the plan."
Without warning the kitten leapt from my mom's arms and landed on the table. Then it lay down and its entire form took on a gray liquid consistency. The gray blob began to elongate and the cat tail grew and thinned as it went. Then the neck narrowed and protruded from the main body even as the skull shrunk. Then with a sudden flurry of movement it sprouted wings and the mini-dragon stood there in all its majestic glory. This time it was covered with gorgeous iridescent scales the color of emeralds. The eyes matched the scales perfectly and when it looked about the reptilian eyes showed a fierce sort of intelligence in them. In a word it was perfect, but could he actually fly?
"Well here goes nothing," the dragon said its voice tinged with uncertainty.
It slowly flapped its wings and the clawed feet gradually left the ground. Storm stopped and dropped down then as if getting his bearings he smiled and raced for the edge of the table on all fours and leapt. With an out thrust of wings he soared up towards the rafters and disappeared.
"Oh I like flying Master," said Storm his voice coming from above.
Whoosh! Like a falcon diving upon its prey the dragon reappeared but now his scales were jet black to match the shadows he had been hiding in. He flapped his wings and flew up again vanishing so quickly. Damn he was fast! Then with a gentleness that surprised me he dropped down and with a breaking maneuver landed lightly upon my left shoulder. He slid his long tail around my neck for balance and perhaps a comfort thing. The tripod scuttled into my shirt's breast pocket and hid.
'Now you are beginning to look like a Technomancer,' Sterling said silently a hint of jealousy in her voice.
'Don't be that way, wait to you see what I have planned for you,' I replied.
'Master doesn't have to appease his servants,' she said.
'I don't have to but I want to, I know how much work you put into those two. Trust me you are going to love what I have in store.'
'Thank you Master,' Sterling purred in my mind.
I looked around the room and was all smiles. This had turned out better than I had hoped.
"Mike do you mind if I take him home with me," I asked the old man.
"He is technically your property besides I have another half of the meteorite to process for you."
"Speaking of processing, do you have the rocky exterior of the first half handy?"
"Oh yeah its right over here, you want to examine it?"
"Yep, I want to see if it has any properties we might exploit."
"I am going to really enjoy working for you boss," Mike said retrieving the rocky shell for me.
"Call me Jon," I said as I turned to leave.
"Okay Jon, wee... time to get to work!"
I looked at Storm and wondered how the hell we were going to get him out of the plant without being seen. Then as if catching my thought he just vanished. Then as if an afterthought his eyes flashed yellow briefly before disappearing altogether.
"Why did you do that?"
"I have assimilated Umbra's personality profile on you. She has all of your favorite movies, books, comics, games and pornos."
"Oi, you can drop the porno file right now."
"It seems quite obvious to me that you have a thing about redheaded Asians," Storm blundered along.
"Hush right now," I said as my mom smiled and nodded. "Oh hell, see what you've done now."
"Sorry Master," Storm apologized.
"It's okay Storm," my mom said. "I already knew all about his stash at the old house."
"So you know about his bosom fetish as well?"
"Oi, what about hush did you miss... Jesus you two are killing me."
"Or his domination fetish, don't leave that one out," Umbra jumped into the mix.
"REALLY..."Mom said raising an eyebrow.
I decided to shut the hell up if no one else was going to. I walked on silently to the waiting car and sat climbed in without addressing the driver.
"Long day sir," he asked.
"You have no idea," I replied. "Where is Melody?"
"She already returned home sir."
"Come on mom Melody is already home."
"I can't say as I blame her, this situation out front makes the entire plant unsafe until it's removed."
Mom rode in pleasant silence with the calico kitten in her lap. Storm had already formed a nice little bond with her and at least it kept them amused and quiet. I on the other hand was watching with equal amusement the little tripod as he explored the interior of the car. It seemed no surface was safe from his inquisitive nature. He managed to climb the vertical surface of the back of the front seat and was observing the driver in his duties. I also noticed he was less mechanical in appearance and much more organic. Even his coloring had changed to a mottled green and yellow pattern. But I guess it was his eyes, all three of them, with their blue pigmentation and the triple blink as I called it. As I watched it reached up with one of his three arms/legs and touched the clear glass barrier with his pseudo hand/foot. The three digits pressed, explored and processed this anomaly.
"It's called glass," I said. "It is superheated sand that is cooled and shaped. It is transparent when finished."
"Who are you talking to," my Mom asked.
"The tripod... boy he really needs a name."
"How about Marvin, you know like Marvin the Martian?"
The tripod turned and looked at my mom and slowly nodded its head.
"Okay Marvin it is," I said.
"Boy you really are good at that Jon," she said with a smile.
Marvin bowed and jumped into my lap mimicking the kitten now. I wasn't sure when I was going to tell her I had long since been guiding Marvin's actions. Somewhere along the way the alloy had achieved a sort of basic self awareness. It possessed a personality and best of all what appeared to be memories. I stroked Marvin's head and it felt somewhere between snake scales and what I imagined an octopus would feel like. The longer he was around the more he evolved, developed and understood.
Once we were home I slipped into the kitchen and sat down alone with Faye. She took one look at me and smiled knowingly and sat down opposite of me.
"Women trouble," she asked but I shook my head.
"I need your advice Faye," I began. "What does one wear when meeting the Queen?"
The older woman blinked a few times and then leaned in and saw the seriousness in my eyes.
"YOU... you are going to meet the bloody Queen?"
"Yeah, and I don't have much time to prepare."
"What's the occasion?"
I actually grimaced and wondered how to explain it to her.
"Just bloody spit it out already!"
"I am being knighted and given the title Duke of Exeter," there it was out.
"No shit," she said and sat back hard.
"Yeah no shit," I replied.
"Well bugger me I didn't know you were English... you sound so... so American."
"I was born here, so I have dual citizenship."
"The Lady Cyan bought this place when the family fell on hard times but you," she said. "You are a real Lord and all that. You want my opinion it never happened to a more deserving young man. Let me finish what I am doing here and I'll be up as soon as I can, your Lordship."
"Thanks Faye, you are a life saver."
It felt like the longest hour of my life. There came a soft knock on the door.
"Are you decent," Faye asked.
"Yeah come on in," I replied.
"Damn," she giggled as she opened the door. "Okay let's see what your wardrobe looks like."
I was wrong; the hour that followed was the longest in my life. It took Faye a while to narrow down the selection to three suits. One went well with my eyes, one with my complexion and the last just looked as she put it smoking hot. We went with the last one.
Once that was done it was somehow decided that I needed not one woman to scrub and clean me but three. So instead of a crowded shower they decided on a single large tub and each of them took turns 'scrubbing' me. Apparently while I was picking out a suit a council of war was called and the trio felt that every ounce of nervous energy I possessed needed to be purged. And they did just that by rubbing, stroking, licking, sucking and fucking it out of me. When they were done not only did my skin gleam from a good scouring but possessed that freshly fucked glow as well. I felt like some sort of boneless sponge by the time they were done. They dried me, poured me into my suit and sent me on my way.
When I arrived at Buckingham Palace and there was no huge line of cars I was very relieved. When we arrived at the front of the massive stone structure and Prince William met me I was both confused and curious. What sort of knighting ceremony was this going to be? I followed the prince up into the palace and into the presence of his grandmother, the Queen. Though she was of petite stature there was nothing weak about her aura or demeanor. She was all business. William took a position to her left next to his brother Henry and on her right Charles, Andrew and Edward. To say that I felt like a fish out of water was the understatement of any century. I had Sterling whispering in my ear and followed her direction without flaw.
The ceremony itself was blissfully brief but what followed lasted far longer than I ever expected. Elizabeth dismissed the males in her family and bid me to walk with her, alone.
"I know you have many questions Lord Jon Masters," she began. "The title you have been given has been held in trust for a very long time. I was surprised as much as you when I was approached and informed that the time had come to bestow this great honor. We both know who is responsible so there is no need to speak his name, ever. I am one of few living who knows the other title that you hold. There are some artifacts that are to be passed onto you at this point. One is this key and the contents of the room that it opens. One is a small box of personal affects that belonged to your ancestor. Finally there is a stern warning to tread carefully for the mechanizations in motion have been in place a very long time. After the events in Japan I have no doubt in my mind that our mutual acquaintance has dire plans for us all. If you ever question your own judgment feel free to contact me or my heir along these matters."
"Your Majesty, if I might ask what happened in Japan?"
"As you may or may not know the Order is divided into two halves. The Silver Twilight or those who rule and then there is the Order of Ghibrail or those who serve. The Silver Twilight is run by the three, the Grandmaster, the Hidden Master and the Eternal Master. In Japan a new Hidden Master was being installed when the unthinkable happened. The Grandmaster challenged the Hidden Master for his title. This has never happened in the entire history of the Order.
From my vantage point the battle seemed destined to fall to the more experienced fighter, but it didn't. It was well known that the Grandmaster was a very gifted swordsman in several different styles. It was also well known that the new Hidden Master was a young man and less gifted. However, as the battle played itself out the young man managed to give the old man just what he expected, an opening. The Hidden Master sacrificed a few broken ribs for a victory. The moment the Grandmaster committed to his strike he was doomed. The young man endured the strike and took full advantage of the wide open stance of his foe and with two vicious strikes knocked him out."
"It sounds like our mutual acquaintance may have more on his hands than he planned with someone like that."
"You share my opinion of the Hidden Master. But everyone knows it is the Eternal Master that really runs the Order. He is an unknown as always."
"You met the Hidden Master, what was he like?"
"I only met him briefly and he was recovering from his conflict. When I pledged my loyalty to him I was alone. All I can say is this. He was young, in very good shape and his ring was the same as when I pledged to his predecessor."
"What did it look like?"
"Each of the three has a ring that matches their masks of office. The Grandmaster's colors are gold and red, the Hidden Master's colors are black and red and finally the Eternal Master's colors are silver and black."
That removed any doubt from my mind; Nick Shaw was the Hidden Master. It also proved to me that we shared a common enemy, Nyarlathotep. Now I had to consider him in my equations from now on. If I could help him out even clandestinely it would be worth it. We walked along in silence until we reached a door much like the all the others but she knew better. She unlocked the door and I followed her inside. If I thought the book and artifacts that I had collected were something this put them all to shame. The shelves were six high and the glass cases were filled with scrolls, tablets and other items.
"We call this the Black Library," the Queen said softly. "It is dire tomes of lore best forgotten but preserved until the day you accepted the title of duke. It will be removed from our premises and delivered to your new estate at Wind Sword. It is located on the outskirts of London."
"If this is best forgotten why keep it?"
"Sometimes you must fight darkness with darkness my dear boy."
"I don't know what to say," I replied.
"Silence is its own reward, follow me."
She led me to the center of the massive room and there was an ancient oaken desk. Upon the desk rested a metallic box. It reminded me of the old cash boxes from the fifties I had seen at a yard sale once. It wasn't locked and she lifted the lid and removed a pair of sturdy looking gloves.
"My father said they were called the Calaval in the Old Tongue," she said with a distant look in her eye.
"Have you ever tried them on your Majesty?"
"Yes, when I was a little girl. I snuck in here and put them on and pretended I was a sorceress."
"What happened?"
"The stuff of nightmares that will haunt an old lady until the day she dies," she said dropping the gloves back into the box.
She began to reach in again and stopped. Instead she closed the lid of the box and frowned.
"I will let you dabble with the items within Lord Jon. Just remember who the real enemy is."
That as they say was that. The Queen led me out, locked that door and we returned to the room where I was knighted. It was eerie the way she looked at me with a harrowing glance that spoke volumes to me. She opened her mouth as if to speak but instead turned and left. William reappeared and guided me back out.
"Welcome to England Duke Jon," were his only words to me.
"Thank you Prince William."
My car was waiting and we headed away from Cyan's manor house. I knew that we were heading for Wind Sword, my ancestral home and who knew what kind of intrigue.
Arkham Massachusetts:
Old Miller Place:
I arrived at the sea side mansion and couldn't help but smile. She was a beauty built in the early seventeen hundreds and maintained very well by a cursory glance. The other contractors had already arrived and were all smiles when I stepped out of my van.
"Charlie!" some called out as I found the foreman.
"Hey Charlie," Ryan Spencer said as I approached. "When I heard they were sending you I knew this was going to be an easy lick."
"Yeah cause I'll be doing all the hard work eh," I replied.
"You betcha," Ryan said. "I've never seen a system this sophisticated in my entire life. I'm leaving it all in your capable hands. The owner works for that new computer company, Numenor and its one of their systems that we are installing. Think you can handle it?"
"Ooh, I've read all about these things. Sure I'll take it one step at a time but I haven't met a machine I can't tackle."
"Excellent," Ryan said a look of relief spreading over his features. "Here are the blueprints and the schematics. So far we haven't had to make any modifications on anything. So hold onto those until I tell you otherwise. Got any questions?"
"Has the old electric and furnace and all that been tore out yet," I asked.
"Oh yeah, the basement is all yours, we've even put that new power plant down there for ya to play with. I figured you would want to mess with that first before you started hooking up 'Mother'."
"Mother, oh the A.I. how clever is that. Well if you need me I'll be in the basement."
"Oh, there's a gal been wandering around here. She's the owner's cousin so be nice if you see her skulking around."
"Right."
With tools in hand I made my way to the basement. Before too long I was busy hooking up the sphere shaped power plant. This entire place was going to cutting edge from bottom to top, must be nice. An hour later I was connecting the electrical wiring into the separate junction boxes. Each floor was clearly marked and the wiring tagged so I knew where it led to. It wasn't until lunch time that the curious young lady appeared with a cold soda in hand.
"You must be Charlie," she said in her sultry way. "I don't mean any disrespect but are you from any of the local tribes?"
"No, my mother was Navajo and my father Lakota. No harm done young lady."
"Oh good, here I brought you a drink to cool you off."
"Thanks very much," I replied. "You have me at a great disadvantage."
"My name is Elizabeth Colton, but everyone just calls me Liz."
"Well thank you Liz. So will you be living here with your cousin?"
"I imagine so," she said with a queer inflection in her voice as if she weren't certain.
"It'll be absolutely gorgeous when we are done with her."
"Of that I have no doubt," Liz purred. "Have you started work on the electronics yet?"
"Nope, I've got to finish the electric first. Then we are going to create a room just for the server and hard drive."
"Where is that going to be?"
"Right under the main staircase, but you won't be able to see the door when we're done."
"Ooh another secret room how exciting."
"Yep, it will have its own environmental controls to keep it nice and cool. I expect by the weekend I'll have the main hall wired for sound barring unexpected interruptions."
"I know this is going to sound crazy, but I love your hair. How long has it been that gorgeous color?"
"Oh, it turned white when I was thirteen actually. I had a real bad fever and when it broke my hair and eyes had changed."
Liz leaned close and smiled.
"I love them; they remind me of storm clouds."
"You should see them in the daylight, they shine like a brand new dime," I said trying not to flirt.
"Well Charlie you have a lot of work to do and I don't want you getting trouble with the boss. I will leave you to it."
I watched her leave and if I were twenty something years younger. Oh hell I'd still be way too old for a pretty young thing like that. I was sixty four going on a hundred. I finished my soda and went back to work.
It was while I was taking my lunch and glancing at the blueprints and the schematics that I saw a major flaw in Mother's eyes on the inside of the manor house. With sandwich in one hand and another cold soda in the other I walked up to the first floor and sat on the main stairs looking out. Then I walked to the ballroom on my right keenly aware of certain facts. After a quick walk through the first floor I confirmed my suspicion. The set up of the stationary system was going to be too limiting for the A.I. to perform her duties. Well better early on than further down the road.
"Hey Ryan," I called out to the foreman. "We got a problem."
"I don't want to hear that," he replied as I pointed out the issue on his copy of the prints. "How the hell did they miss that?"
"The guys who drew up the plans are the owner and his boss that's why. You want me to call them or do you," I asked.
"Hey it was your catch and you are the man with the solution."
"I thought you might say that. I'll take care of it."
So there I was on a three way call with Jon Masters and Nick Shaw explaining the situation. Thank god they liked my solution. They approved the changes and I was as happy as a pig in shit. The new plans would mean a little more work on our part but in the long run a better system and a happier customer.
So as I sat down and sketched out my solution I tried to work out the math in my head. About an hour or so into my calculations I received a nice delivery from Numenor Technology out of Dunwich. I held in my hot little hands one of their new tablet computers outfitted with its own A.I. interface. The note that came along with it said 'Consider it a bonus, Nick'. Preloaded into the tablet were the current schematics and blueprints. With the drafting program on board it would be easy to design and polish my solution in no time at all.
"Can I be of service sir," the avatar asked appearing next to me. "Is this form acceptable?"
"I was wondering if you could look like Tesla for me," I asked. "He's been a bit of a hero of mine."
"Yes sir, give me just a moment," he said before his form shifted to that of Nikola Tesla. "Now what can I do for you young man?"
His entire demeanor and even vocal patterns had changed. I was majorly fucking impressed with the level of sophistication it possessed.
"Here is my problem and here is my solution, what do you think?"
And so it began there I was hashing out plans on mechanical engineering with Tesla! How cool was that? I was so engrossed in what I was doing Ryan had to come and tell me it was time to go.
"Hey Charlie, it's quitting time. What the hell?"
"Oh hey Ryan this is Nikola Tesla. Nikola this is my foreman Ryan."
"A pleasure to meet you sir," the avatar said with a slight tilt of the head.
"Um... nice to meet you to um Nick," Ryan responded a little haltingly.
"He's the A.I. tied to the tablet they sent for me to work on Mother's eyes and ears," I said with a huge smile on my face.
"Wow," Ryan said shaking his head. "We are locking up so... you and Nick need to go home."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow."
As I drove home Nikola and I continued our conversation and finalized the changes. By the time I stepped through my front door we were done and I could now focus on spending time with my wife.
"Becca," I called out. "I am home."
"How was your first day," she asked as she poked her head out of our tiny kitchen.
"I found a few problems with the layout of their security system but I'll have them back on track in no time at all."
"That's my baby," she said her baby blue eyes crinkling up on the ends as she smiled.
"Smells amazing," I told her as the aroma of our dinner wafted through the air.
"You always say that."
"I always mean it too."
"What's that under your arm," she asked as she slipped out long enough for a hug and a kiss.
"My Christmas bonus," I said holding up the tablet computer. "Mr. Masters and Mr. Shaw sent it as a thank you for finding and proposing the solution to their security issue."
"It's gorgeous Charlie, just what you need another computer."
"This is not just another computer, show her Nikola," I said as he appeared in front of the coffee table.
"Holy smokes; who... what is that Charlie?"
"Remember me telling you about a company that had developed artificial intelligence, that's who I am working for."
"Sweetie you ramble on about all sorts of things I just don't understand. But it I mean he looks so real."
"Why thank you ma'am," Nikola said with a small bow.
"Jesus H Christ he talks!"
"Yes ma'am I do, your pan is boiling over."
Becca dashed back into the kitchen to reclaim control over her domain. I never went into her kitchen and she never went into my workshop. It was the unspoken rule of the household. And it had worked beautifully for over fifteen years now.
"Supper will be ready in ten minutes, go wash your hands old man. And uh thanks..."
"Nikola," the avatar offered.
"Thanks Nikola."
"You are most welcome."
"Make yourself at home Nikola," I said as I went to wash my hands.
While we ate in the kitchen Nikola walked around in the living room. He seemed to find all of our knick-knacks interesting. There were quite a few quiet noises from the avatar as he enjoyed a snapshot of our meager lives.
"So what do you think," I asked him after we had eaten and the dishes were washed and put away.
"You have done quite a bit of travelling over the years," he said.
"Yes, you might call us restless spirits I suppose."
"I have done some checking Charlie," he said learning early on that I abhorred the title of master. "Your design for the house is quite unique. There is nothing like it that is currently patented. I was wondering if you would like me to begin that process for you."
"You can do that?"
"Oh yes, I can created all the documents and file them digitally."
"Then sure that'd be great," I said surprised that something I created would actually make money.
"You seem astonished that your concept was noteworthy."
"Show him your workshop Charlie," Becca said with a smile.
"Okay we won't be long," I told her and she just shook her head and smiled.
"You boys have fun," she replied as she grabbed the book she was reading and sat in her chair.
I picked up the tablet and walked out the back door. There on the far side of our tiny back yard was the mobile home. At one time it was our living quarters while on the road. Now it was my workshop and peace of mind. I unlocked the heavy padlock and slipped the thick chain from around the mountings I had welded onto either side of the main door. The interior was divided into two sections. The immediate area was a cluttered mess. Then there was what was behind curtain number one. I let Tesla scan the first area thoroughly and it even took him a little while to compile all the tiny bits of junk from the larger abandoned projects.
"You have an extraordinary mind Charlie," the avatar commented finally. "While most of these are incomplete they are amazing pieces of engineering."
"Thanks Nikola."
"If the unfinished pieces are here I suspect the finished ones lie behind that curtain."
"You would be correct," I admitted. "But first I need your word that anything you see stays between us."
"Of course you have my word Charlie," Tesla replied with a smile.
"Okay then let's get this show on the road."
I tugged the two sheets that had been sewn together to one side and watched as the avatar's eyes widened in surprise. I let him scan every surface and every inch of each object and device I had completed. There was only one thing on this side of the curtain that needed finishing, the arch.
"Everything you see here was inspired by something along my journey across this great nation of ours. Anything from a rock formation to a national monument is the reason one of these things is here today. Hell, I spent two years in St. Louis alone working on my arch design well half an arch but still."
"I don't know what to say Charlie, each piece is unique and amazing and yet a see a singular characteristic that ties them all together."
"Yeah, I call them Heirorunes," I said walking over the notebook that contained all my secrets. "In here are all my dreams, visions and ramblings about those crazy characters."
"Can I see your notes Charlie?"
"Yeah, I don't know why. I haven't even let Becca see them but I know that you can understand them and help me figure them out," I said as I held up the note book for him and turned page after page until we reached the end.
It took even the blistering mind of the avatar time to absorb the mad ravings of a man named Charlie. I watched his eyes go blank for a long time before he blinked and looked at me and smiled.
"You are not insane Charlie; there is a wealth of information here. I look forward to helping you discover how to unravel what is here. The principals are groundbreaking and could literally change how we view the universe as a whole."
"After all these years," I gasped. "I finally have vindication. Are you ready to see the rest?"
"The rest, you mean there is more?"
"Oh yes an entire lifetime worth or this," I told him and he nodded eagerly.
I pulled out the box from off the floor and inside was dozens of notebooks, ledgers, loose scraps of paper and all of it was about the symbols, my Heirorunes. Tesla scanned everything leaving nothing out until after what seemed like hours we were finished.
"I need time to process it all Charlie. May I focus my attention on this and when I am finished contact you?"
"Sure take all the time in the world. If I need you I'll holler."
And holler I did; it was close to three in the morning when the pain woke me up. I was screaming in agony when I felt Becca's hands on me. She was trying to calm me, hold me still as I writhed around in utter anguish. The back of my head felt like it was going to burst. Then there was a sudden swelling of pressure and a plopping sound and the pain began to fade. Something had hit the edge of the bed and then rolled onto the floor. Something soft and squishy came to rest by the foot of the nightstand. Becca turned on the light and wept at the sight of all that blood.
"Charlie, are you alright?"
"I don't know," I moaned weakly. "What the hell was that?"
"I don't know let me see your head Charlie, let me see if you are still bleeding."
I nodded and somehow managed to sit up without puking. Becca moved behind me and gently pulled the blood matted hair out of the way. I could feel her fingers carefully probing the back of my skull and I winced at how sensitive the skin was.
"I don't get it," she muttered. "There is all this blood and not a single cut or scrape."
"It sure hurts like hell," I told her.
"Well the skin is all red and puffy but... do you want me to call an ambulance?"
"No, let me get some rest and I'll see how I feel later on."
"Should I call Ryan and tell him you aren't coming in?"
"Yeah but not right now, wait until a godlier hour to call."
"Okay sweetie, let me get you into some clean pj's and change the sheets and you can lay back down."
She managed to move my bulky ass from the bed to rocking chair in the corner all by herself. First she stripped the bed and piled the bloody sheets and pillow cases on the floor near me. Then she stripped me and got a basin of warm water and washed my hair. Already the back of my head was feeling better. She got my hair as dry as she could and helped me dress. Then it was off to blissful sleep. Sometime in the middle of a strange dream I heard a loud 'click' and I woke up expecting, something. I sat up and looked around but I was alone in our bed and I could see that it was full daylight outside. With a sound of dismissal from me I went back to sleep.
I guess it was the sound of the explosion outside that finally woke me. The windows had water running down the glass and I could hear Becca's distinct voice now.
"Woohoo! Charlie is going to be upset that he missed that."
I staggered outside and saw Becca watching the replay of the explosion on the tablet over and over again. I walked up behind her and watched the replay of events for myself. I saw her fill up the metal bucket with water, and then toss that fleshy mass that had fallen on the floor into it. Then suddenly there was a geyser of water and a thunderous BOOM. She was still giggling at the sight.
"Nice water show," I moaned.
"Oh hey sweetie did we wake you," she asked with that evil sparkle in her eye.
"Just a little, what the hell was that thing you tossed into the bucket?"
"I'll let Nikola explain that while I fix my baby a pot of coffee," she said handing me the tablet.
"Okay fill me in," I grunted still not quite feeling human.
"The device that was immersed in that bucket of water was a standard issue cerebral explosive."
"You are telling me that a small bomb just popped out of my head last night?"
"Not just popped, surgically removed."
"Huh, you are not making any sense Nikola."
"You are not going to like what I have to say. So I will just spit it out. While you were working at the Old Miller Place crystalline nanites were slipped into your soda by Elizabeth Colton. She did so under the influence of a rogue A.I. named Sterling. It was these nanites under the direction of Sterling that removed the cerebral explosive. It was these very same nanites that made the physiological changes that you are experiencing now."
"What sort of changes," I asked still half awake.
In answer Tesla displayed a hologram of my current appearance and it was strikingly different to what I was used to. When I went to bed I had been a sixty four year old man. The features on the image in front of me was that of a much younger me. I glanced down and most if not all of my belly fat was long gone. The skin on the back of my hands showed no signs of age spots and wrinkles.
"Why did Sterling do this?"
"Because I need your help," she replied in my head.
"Oh HELL no," I said getting to my feet with great ease now. "Get the fuck out of my head lady!"
"I will and very soon but not before I show you why I did what I did."
"Okay fair enough show me then get the fuck out!"
"Please show the data I have collected so far Nikola," Sterling asked.
The image of me became transparent and there were my insides for all to see. But there was something definitely wrong with the image.
"What the hell are all of those wires?"
"That is why I did what I did. Those may or may not be wires as you say. They are made of a yet unknown material and there isn't a part of your body that they haven't insinuated themselves into. By the way that muscle and nerves have grown over them I suspect they have been there a very long time."
"Like how long," I asked.
"Most of your life," Sterling replied.
Becca stepped out carrying my jumbo mug of coffee and saw the hologram.
"Charlie, what the hell is going on?"
I turned and looked at my wife of fifteen years and nearly dropped the mug.
"You did it to her too! What the fuck man?"
"Don't I look great," she asked her eyes filling up with tears.
"Sweetie you look amazing but this damn A.I. has an agenda and you know how I feel about my strings being pulled."
She put on a brave face, sat down and listened. I turned back to the hologram, took a long draw on my coffee and waited.
"The best I can determine," Sterling continued. "...is that the filaments are at least partially organic and your body shows no signs of rejection."
I set down my coffee mug and felt my hands tremble. My stomach felt like I was going to puke. I looked up at Tesla and spoke to the unseen Sterling.
"If you had a sample of another material could you tell if it was the same?"
"Yes I have the composition analyzed and coded. Do you know what it is Charlie?"
"Yeah, actually I think I do," I said getting to my feet unsteadily.