Ch5
QA:
Grappling with the new resource she had chosen to give her host had been irritating.
In its natural form the substance grew at a voracious pace, enough to cover this planet in 3 rotations. It showed many other properties that she had never come across before. One of them was eerily reminiscent of some of the Abilities the third superweapon had been projected to possess.
Manipulating the substance she had designated 'Creep', after its method of expansion, had caused a number of changes in both its function and projected capabilities.
Limiting its growth would be necessary so that the cycle could continue and the host would have enough time to build up their resources so that superweapon3 could not wrest complete control.
More time consuming testing had been necessary to alter the Creep so that it bonded first with the digestive system of the host, conveniently revamping the host so it would no longer waste the biomass it consumed, and then make its way to the spinal cord. From there it would grow up, simultaneously strengthening such a critical weak point in the host's structure and making its way to the host's brain. Here it would create a connection with the host and allow the host access to the unique energies it gathered and reacted to.
With her help the host would quickly gain an understanding of the potential inherent in the specimen. From there the host would have to decide on how to proceed with the new resource at its disposal.
In the meantime she would try to make contact with pieces of THE GREATER WHOLE and THE OTHER WHOLE. Starting with the most useful and suggestible to maximize efficacy of course.
In close proximity it had noticed the unique frequencies used by its subordinate in Technology administration. Unsurprisingly it was also undiminished, likely attempting to piece together THE GREATER WHOLE as well, perhaps hoping for an increase in importance during the next cycle if it showed favorable capabilities here.
She was hardly surprised to notice the fluctuations it gave off signaling extreme aggravation. Most of the time her subordinate was too inflexible to work effectively. Which was of course why she had delegated him to the task of controlling, combining, and documenting the technologies of species who had been lost to the cycle.
She was sure that even if her subordinate was less stubborn, attempting to recreate THE GREATER WHOLE while only being capable of accessing its own limited domain would have made this a difficult task.
As it was her subordinate would make a good first contact and its host could likely help her host far more effectively than most.
Taylor:
My day went according to plan. Having arrived before Emma and Sophia I made sure to be settled when, 10 minutes after me, they came in. I had allowed myself a small smile after seeing their furrowed brows. The rest of the day I was left well enough alone. Making a point to sit in the Cafeteria underlined my new position of relative strength in Winlows social structure.
Listening to the Gossip was very informative and left me wondering how the student populace had already managed to find out I wouldn't be punished.
After lunch I started to feel an uncomfortable squirming in my body that originated in my stomach and slowly made its way up my back. It was imperative for my continued Image that I show no discomfort today. So using the skills I had gained through long term bullying I suppressed my desire to evacuate my stomach, and continued as normal.
When School finished and I made my way outside I returned the occasional tentative smile sent my way.
After arriving Home the squirming had reached the nape of my neck and was starting to transition from squicky and worrying to painful. I rushed to the Bathroom and turned on the shower, my breathing had become harsh and labored but I managed to turn the water warm and slump into the shower. Curling up under the warm water only caused the squirming to quicken and the writhing under my skin became as if small corded rope was crawling its way up my spine. I was crying now and the pain was making me sick, I didn't know what was happening but telling anyone had never helped before and we couldn't really afford to go to the Hospital either.
The pain was unbearable and I heaved with convulsions as my stomach tried to purge itself of the coiling mass growing inside me. When it reached the base of my skull the sickly twisting reached its peak, Colors gained smells, time went from moments to eternity's.
Incapable of sustaining the sensations my Mind shut down.
AN: Spoilers: Taylors choice to tell no one is of course the QA leaning on her to prevent people knowing about her powers before she is ready. I'm not particularly good at body horror so some tips on how that scene could have been freakier would be appreciated. If this were a normal story I would have posted this chapter now as it's reached the first reasonable cut off point.