Forging a Waifu Harem (Worm, Celestial Forge, SI-OC)
By: Infonticus
[NSFW] - Forging a Waifu Harem (Worm, Celestial Forge, SI-OC) by Infonticus
Status: ongoing
Published: 2022-07-09
Updated: 2023-05-05
Words: 301612
Chapters: 43
Original source: https/forum./threads/18957
Exported with the assistance of
Forging a Waifu Harem (Worm, Celestial Forge, SI-OC)
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Humble Dream of Electric Poon
Chapter 2: Games of Electronic Atrocities
Chapter 3: Interfacing with the Indigenous Meatbags
Chapter 4: PRT Interlude
Chapter 5: Into the Lair of the Magos
Chapter 6: Electronic Atrocities 2 - Electric Boogaloo
Chapter 7: Tattletale was wrong? Impossible!
Chapter 8: Magos versus Behemoth, Part 1
Chapter 9: Magos versus Behemoth, Part 2
Chapter 10: Interlude - Dragonslayers
Chapter 11: (Bad) Decisions are Made
Storyline Voting Information
Chapter 12: Electric Clouds Loom in the Distance
Chapter 13: …Comes Free with Every Purchase of Dragon's Used Panties!
Chapter 14: Sexually Frustrated Dragon Noises
Chapter 15: Sword Fall
Chapter 16: A Tuesday in Brockton Bay
Chapter 17: When Dragon's Panties Attack!
Chapter 17.5: The Dragon and the Magos
Chapter 18: The Damage Control Circus
Chapter 19: Cracks in the Cauldron, Part 1
Chapter 20: Cracks in the Cauldron, Part 2
Chapter 21: The Shattered Cauldron
Chapter 22: The Cauldron Collection
Chapter 23: A Brave New World
Chapter 24: The Devious Plots of Horny AIs
Chapter 25: Help! I accidentally formed a love quadrangle with a meat female!
Chapter 26: The Undercity with the Undersiders
Chapter 27: Fate of the Dragonslayers
Chapter 17.75 : How can meat females even compare?
Chapter 28: Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi
Chapter 28: Panpan, No!
Chapter 30: Electronic Atrocities 3: Return of the Microtransactions
Chapter 31: Whatever Happened to Glory Girl (And her horny sister)?
Interlude: Earth-Bet's Greatest Femboy Streamer
Kinky Double Dragon
Chapter 33: The (Sexual) Bullying of Alexandria
Chapter 34: The Many Delusions of Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!
Chapter 35: The Alexandria Affair
Chapter 36: Brockton Bay's Least Horny Fate Fan
Chapter 37: [Future] [Perfect]
Chapter 38: Mysterious Insect Heroine Z Returns!
Chapter 39: In the Shadow of Magos
Chapter 1: The Humble Dream of Electric Poon
Chapter 1: The Humble Dream of Electric Poon
How can meat females even compare to a perfect machine?
How can they match against a masterfully-engineered sex gynoid with voluptuous curves that no organic female can naturally develop, a gynoid pre-programmed with all the crystalised sexual skills and bedroom instincts of a billion courtesans, a gynoid unrestrained by the imprecise physical and emotional maintenance that womb-born females carry, and- most importantly- a gynoid immensely loyal and enthusiastically eager to please your every whim? No, Meat females simply cannot hope to match that, and that was fine. There are many, many men who are willing to settle with meat females.
But not me.
Not for one who bore a connection to the Celestial Forge.
Floating weightlessly in the starry void with not even a body to move, eldritch knowledge bombarded my mind and my spirit. It was like a million inky black appendages had stretched toward me and offered my mind some free candy.
CELESTIAL FORGE Requesting secure omniversal library connection-
Secure omniversal library connection, established.
End-Node User Points Balance: 200 CP
AWAITING END-NODE USER LIBRARY SELECTION…
M
It was a curious thing, this Celestial Forge. As time passes, it will continuously grant me 'CP' points that I can exchange for knowledge and items from other worlds for me- like a waiter dictating the menu to a restaurant patron. Technology that had made and unmade universe-spanning civilizations were handed out like free candy! What the Celestial Forge truly was, I do not know, and I did not have the time to ponder over its true nature. Power was power, and that was enough. Perhaps one day, I'll have the free time to plumb its origins. But right here and right now, there was nothing else that I should do but look forward to the future.
As for why I was the one to receive such power? I also did not know. I was just some dumb toaster-worshipping schmuck who was apparently whisked away by some Random Omnipotent Being (ROB) to serve as the bearer of the Celestial Forge for reasons unknown.
But ultimately, it no longer even mattered who I was.
After all, can anyone remember what Thomas Edison did before the lightbulb? Or the Wright brothers before their plane? No. Whatever achievements and deeds I've done in the past will be laughably overshadowed by what I am to achieve next. Other Celestial Forgesmiths used their power to elevate mankind to great heights, I was going to use it to elevate mankind to great heights, and get sexy android waifus. Mostly for the sexy android waifus. We were not the same.
My ultimate goal was clear, everything else was secondary. Nothing will steer me away from my path. So, I made my selection.
CELESTIAL FORGE
… END-NODE USER LIBRARY SELECTION(S) CONFIRMED.
ALL PREREQUISITES FOR INSERT FULFILLED.
TRANSLOCATION PROCESS INITIATED.
M
So, I was to be sent somewhere? That was acceptable, because no matter where or when I may end up in…
The robussy calls to me, and I will answer the call.
CELESTIAL FORGE LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
-Magos Designation: Augmentics (Warhammer 40k - Adeptus Mechanicus) (100CP)
You have attained and been recognized for your comprehension of some of the Machine God's mysteries. Choose a field of Imperial technology such as genetic manipulation, voidship construction, cybernetics or plasma technology. You are among the noted masters of your purview, and can easily create the most common templates of your field. With time, effort and discretion you could even modify and improve upon your specialty as needed. Those few things beyond your full understanding can still be built and maintained by carefully following STC blueprints.
Augmentics: Mechanical or electronic cybernetic substitutes for biological Human limbs or organs. Generally, the bionic replacement is stronger, more durable or effective than the original, or gives its user completely new abilities. The use of bionics is widespread in the Imperium.
Cranial implants (Warhammer 40k: Adeptus Mechanicus) (100CP)
The brain of every magos undergoes extensive modification over time, but you have put great care into preparing your mind for the Machine God's mysteries. Beyond the gene-alterations and bionic sub-systems that have boosted your intelligence, regulated neuro-chemistry reduces the influence that hunger, pain, fear and other flesh-distractions can have upon your thoughts. Your ability to enjoy these things are not impeded. Further neurological modifications will be faster and easier to adapt to with less worry of rejection.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
M
(A minute later)
It was a bright sunny and cold day when I arrived- landing in some bushes of what seemed to be a city park. Staggering onto my feet, I barely had time to get my bearings before my hyper-augmented brain with its [Cranial Implants] gathered my wits for me.
Booting Logis Acceleritas
And like some sort of super intuition, it took less than two seconds for everything to not only make sense, but be incredibly obvious.
I was obviously in the American North-east during early winter. Where else could I be?
It was obvious from the fallen pine cones by my feet that only fell during autumn, from the chilly temperature, and from grass growing that was 'obviously' growing naturally in a way that it only could in this part of the world. As obvious in reasoning as 'water is falling from sky, it must be raining.' I immediately realised that this must be what it felt like to be smarter: To be able to put together different facts together to form a conclusion. Pattern recognition was something everyone can do, but I just did it faster. But where a normal person would have taken a few minutes to put it all together, my hyper-augmented brain did it in 1.726 seconds.
[Cranial Implants] has also granted me an internal clock accurate to the millisecond.
Stepping out of the bushes and into the chilly weather in just my jeans and t-shirt, my mind immediately latched onto a gold nugget of information. Some distance away from me, I spotted a park hobo using a newspaper as a blanket. And despite not having the best eyesight, my brain was still able to correctly deciphered the blurred image relayed by my puny human eyeballs. 'Brockton Bay Bugle' the newspaper's title read.
'I am in Worm. A deathworld.'
The realisation and subsequent horror filled me… Not only from the fear of death, because death wasn't the worst fate you could suffer in this multiverse. An eternity of torment in a Grey Boy timeloop was one such fate-worse-than death. But whatever panic was filling me, it immediately drained away as a serene calm moved in to replace it.
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 12% maxload
Ah, right. Another function of the [Cranial Implants]. Fear, panic, hunger and even lust could be a thing of the past for me. But even with the EDP muting my emotions, my goals and beliefs haven't changed. And my [Cranial Implants] even agreed with me on that subject!
Android vagina is objectively superior to regular meatbag vagina.
"Thank you, my exquisite brain. Your logic is impeccable." I patted my head. Then something occurred to me- making me pause to look at my hand- watching closely as I curled and uncurled my fleshy digits.
The knowledge granted by [Magos Designation: Augmentics] flooded my head with a million potential bionic upgrades that would make me… purer in the sanctity of the blessed machine. And with such purity came the benefits. Organs that were tougher and more efficient than their fragile, flesh counterparts. Extra limbs that could not only grasp things, but also see, fire lasers, spew plasma, perform surgery, cure cancer, and cause cancer. But whatever lofty dreams of transhumanism I held were hampered by the fact that I had no tools, no parts, and no infrastructure to rely on to achieve such dreams.
My only hope was that the Celestial Forge would grant me more CP points to spend on libraries while I wandered my way to the more upscale portion of town.
Thanks to my [Magos Designation: Augmentics], I now possessed the knowledge on how best to leverage my control over my nervous system. Even without tools, I can modify and upgrade my [Cranial Implants] without any tools using what the Adeptus Mechanicus calle the 'Rite of Blessed Calibration.' Or in contemporary terms, I'm going to reprogram my augmentics to do something different.
So, let's see if the augmentics in my brain can increase the performance of my body…
Declaring {Adrenal Overdrive} as new Logis Acceleritas function
Manually release a surge of epinephrine and testosterone hormones. In conjunction with a synchronised increase in heart rate and blood pressure, 'Adrenal Overdrive' permits regular combat operations at greatly increased speed.
For 10 seconds, slow time to 60% speed (or at least, your perception of it) while moving at normal speeds. Can be used 3 times before long rest is required.
Further upgrades may improve ability numerics in the name of the Omnissiah.
Commit changes?
Y / N
M
Slo-mo action sequences? Hell yes…
(Three hours later)
"Just hand me your cash, motherfucker!" the knife-wielding drughead shouted at me with his sunken eyes and sore-riddled skin.
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 6% maxload
"I don't have my wallet or phone with me, man." I calmly sighed. How terribly unlucky, it's still mid-afternoon and we weren't even in the bad part of town! Out of the hundreds of thousands of people in Brockton bay, I was the one he ended up mugging. My [Cranial Implants] only made me smarter, they did not make me able to see into the future. At least not yet.
"Don't give me that bullcrap!" the emaciated man in his ratty shorts and tank top growled at me as he brandished his kitchen knife, the grimy metal must be crawling with all sorts of exotic STDs and diseases that this guy had, "I know you're holding out on me!"
I could use my newly minted {Adrenal Overdrive} and handle him effortlessly, but that would mean touching his diseased self and outing myself to the general public. My eyes glanced across the street and someways up and down the road where people were already recording the whole thing on their smartphones. Hopefully, someone will actually call the police. For now, I was just a Celestial Forgesmith that got caught with his pants down: Just an hour or two before he was able to forge up something capable of being shooty or choppy… or a combat android in a fluttery dress and an amazing ass.
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 33% maxload
What? Why was my EDP suddenly so hi-
"Another one of you lost little drug-lambs again?" A feminine voice scoffed from the air above us.
White and gold dress fluttered heroically in the wind as the people recording in the distance oo'ed and aah'ed. Glory Girl has arrived, in all her blonde blue-eyed jailbait glory. She wore a confident smirk as she descended from the blue sky- the sun stylishly shining over her shoulder. It also gave me a clear view up her skirt where her snug black biker shorts gave her a pretty noticeable cameltoe. Perhaps she was hoping for the sun glare to hide it? Regardless, she was no android, and therefore, as attractive to me as a slug. But the form factor of her outlined labia was aesthetically pleasing… maybe I can model an android after her?
"I swear…" Glory Girl shook her head in disappointment as she hovered a metre above the ground. "I take out one dealer the day before and a dozen of you all go looking for more 'product' in the worst places."
"Fuck you, Glory Whore, I ain't afraid of yo-!"
Two punches. That's all it took. Glory Girl closed the already short distance in a blink of an eye, and threw two punches. One to the guy's knife hand, the other to the guy's jaw and he was immediately sprawled out cold on the pavement with his diseased knife clattering away.
"Yeah, see how far that mouth of yours took you, you baked moron?" She muttered before turning her blue eyes towards me- scanning me for injuries. "You okay?"
"Yes, completely unharmed." I reply with a nod and a polite smile, "Thanks for the assist, Glory Girl. If you'll excuse me, I have places to be."
"What? Just like that?" She frowned- tilting her head slightly in confusion.
"What do you mean? This is Brockton Bay. It's not surprising." I reasoned while glancing at the druggie still unconscious on the pavement. And for a split second, even I was confused. Then my [Cranial Implants] and its Logis Acceleritas filled in the blanks.
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 44% maxload
Subtle increase in aura effects signify Glory Girl consciously or subconsciously hungry for attention.
Micro facial expressions indicate confusion over my lack of star-struck reaction.
Young adult males likely have such a reaction to her without fail. Likely regardless of relationship status or sexual orientation. Until I came along with my EDP.
Will find my lack of reaction insulting. Hurt may turn to Annoyance may turn to Suspicion may turn to Enmity.
Potential for verbal altercation with Glory Girl: High.
Unless…
"Er… sorry if I'm a bit stiff, it's just overwhelming being saved by the Glory Girl." I coolly lied- deliberately faking trying not to check her out. My eyes flicked momentarily to her decently-sized bust before looking away seemingly embarrassed.
At that, Glory Girl's confused expression gave way to a smug one- a knowing smirk curling her pink lips.
"Heh, you won't be the first one to be stiff around me, no sweat." She teased- having bought my act before she slowly floated into the air, "You're welcome for the save, but sorry I don't have time for a handshake, I got places to be."
Glory Girl wanted the encounter to end on her terms. Wanted the last word in.
Feeling good about it just now.
And with a smile and a wave, she flew away in a great gust of wind just as the sirens of incoming police began howling in the distance… Strolling away from the scene of the crime, I once again felt vindicated in my choice in androids over fleshbags. Human brains with fragile egos that require constant emotional maintenance and reinforcement. Worse still were the parahumans- their shards warped their minds and made them into mean bullies and irritable assholes. This was all in stark contrast to the resilient stability of a machine-mind.
Oh well, at least I got something out of the encounter…
200 CP Granted
End-Node User Points Balance: 200 CP
Purchasing further Libraries from the Celestial Forge requires ritual prayer.
Well, I'm sure I can find a spot to do a quick prayer… 200 CP was all I'll need to actually get started.
All I need to do now is to go to the local landfill or scrapyard, and pray there.
CELESTIAL FORGE LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
Reclaimer (Warhammer 40k - Adeptus Mechanicus) (200CP)
Rare is the heretek with wealth or connections enough to acquire the resources to pursue innovation without raising suspicion. Most must make do with whatever they can scavenge or build for themselves, and fortune seems to often favour them when harvesting useful components from wrecked machines. More often than not, the most delicate and valuable pieces of technology can be pulled intact from wrecks you find or create.
Attendants (Warhammer 40k - Adeptus Mechanicus) (0CP)
Choose: A dozen servo skulls, a five-servitor workforce, or a trio of personalized cherubs. All are dull but reliable servants, coming equipped for a variety of tasks. The patterns of each are easy to re-fit for more specialized work.
Servo-Skulls: Drone-like robotic device that appears to be a human skull outfitted with electronic or cybernetic components that utilise embedded anti-gravity field generators to allow them to hover and drift bodiless through the air. Servo-skulls form an important niche in Imperial work, serving as everything from auto-scribes that copy down important conversations and confessions of prisoners to simple moving torches, hovering about their charge with candles and electric lanterns to illuminate the area.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
M
(Four hours later) [Brockton Bay Sanitation Site]
Overhead in the orange-red shades of late afternoon sky, hungry pigeons circled as I surveyed the site of my would-be base: the local landfill.
Stretching out before me was a great heap of unsorted rubbish dumped across an area larger than a football field. Plastic bags of every colour full of rotten food and other such refuse. No one would ever choose to go here willingly apart from having to dump their own garbage here. But as the trite saying goes 'One man's trash is another man's treasure.'
A dozen of my newly purchased [Servo-Skulls] floated all around me as they chittered in harsh chirping of binharic chant. They will be instrumental in this laying the foundations: A few of them were equipped with advanced auspex scanners that could detect metals and electronics through solid rock. With their aid, I can find all the waste electronics that people have just carelessly dumped into this landfill.
And it was here that all of my chosen libraries from the Celestial Forge worked in glorious synergy.
The [Servo-Skulls] were equipped with advanced auspex scanners that could detect metals and electronics through solid rock. Detecting them through heaps of garbage would be easy in comparison. With all the waste electronics that people have just carelessly dumped into this landfill, I'll have all the raw materials I'll need to get started.
The [Reclaimer] supplied the knowledge on how to properly salvage whatever electronics I found in a plethora of ways ranging from efficiently stripping all the parts that I can get from it, to outright making it run again.
The [Magos Designation: Augmentics] provided all the blueprints of things that I can build from the parts I'll salvage as well as all the rites and rituals for actually making things work. The Purification Rituals to cleanse and appease the machine spirit, the Rites of Assured Activation to rouse it from its dormant state, and the Benedictions of Enduring Functions to ensure that it keeps functioning for a long time to come
And finally, the [Cranial Implants] will ensure that I can keep focus on my work by suppressing sleep, hunger, thirst and other weak flesh-functions… at least until I can make the tools to quench or outright remove them.
All together, I can convert whatever electronic and metal scrap I find into fully functioning augmentics and other technological wonders for me to use. I would immediately rush to manufacture gynoids, but my [Magos Designation: Augmentics] told me that I required massive infrastructure to even attempt such an endeavour. The manufactorm must grow first.
"Skree-skree-skree!" one of my [Servo-Skulls] chittered excitedly to me as it hovered over a patch of garbage.
"Oh, it would seem we have our first salvage at hand." I murmured in acknowledgement as I began tossing garbage bags away from the spot. And that's when I saw it- the decomposing dead body of man. But the body itself wasn't important. No, it was what was halfway inside the man's rotting cranium: A toaster.
"This is a Sign from the Omnissiah." I gasped in reverence as I beheld the two-slot toaster.
I knew it was a sign- it couldn't have been anything else. The very first piece of technology that I was to salvage and it was this toaster that sat lodged into the skull of the rotting carcass of a long dead man. Undeniably, it was a symbol for how the Blessed Machine will always outlast the weak flesh. It was a sign that this landfill was truly the place to build my Manufactorum- my rumbling temple to the Omnissiah. I wished to immortalise the vision- this image of a perfect machine persisting triumphant over the rotting flesh of humanity. One day, I'll erect a monument of this inspiring sight. But for now, I'll recover the toaster and claim it as a sacred artefact of the Cult Mechanicus- it will sit in a safe until I can properly enshrine it.
Taking the sacred toaster in both of my hands, I pulled it out of the skull that it was lodged in with a wet squelch. I turned to face the dozen of [Servo-Skulls]- the flying skulls with their dark sockets and the red glare of their optics staring at me as I held the toaster above my head and victoriously declared.
"I am the Magos, and android pussy will be mine! The Machine God will it! Hello World!"
And the night came alive with the binharic cheers of blessed machines.
- Chapter 1: The Humble Dream of Electric Poon End -
AN:
My other fic… Dragonborn's Might makes Right has burnt me out. But I'll come back to it once I shake off the burn out.
I played Halo and Nier: Automata… I now have a fetish for gynoids and AIs. Especially for ones with amazing form factors.
Tentative List: Cortana (Halo), Kara (Detroit: Become Human), Curie (Fallout 4), T-X (Terminator 3), EDI (Mass Effect 2), Yorha androids (Nier:Automata), KOS-MOS (Xenoblade)
Fellow author 'The Dark Wolf Shiro' has a discord server where I hang around… with, I quote from him, 'a bunch of other authors and a load of porn.' Here's the link for that: discord .gg/wd3tUYWVCd
Chapter 2: Games of Electronic Atrocities
Chapter 2: Games of Electronic Atrocities
(18 hours later)
"-And by the glory of the Machine-God, may this humble outpost of the blessed machine withstand the apocalypse. Amen."
The 'humble outpost' just so happens to be a meagre hovel located at the edge of the landfill. Sheet metal welded together to form the floor, walls and ceiling. And regardless of the location, home was home especially when it had its upsides. The interior was already filled with scrap electronics that I'd have salvaged. Cracked smartphones, broken routers, old TVs… even refrigerators and microwave ovens and air conditioners! Where people saw refuse, my [Reclaimer] saw a goldmine of reusable components.
Of course, the first thing I made out of the components was a gas mask to keep out the constant smell and toxins of the decaying landfill. I would have made a bionic respiratory system instead, but I didn't have the equipment nor the clean room for bionic organs.
The second thing I made was a taser gun. It was extremely basic, but it would certainly stop a bear in its tracks.
And the third thing that I was going to make were new hands. Mine were sporting a bit too much pus and blackened stuff on the skin. Who knew that spending time in a landfill and digging through rotting refuse and decaying detritus with your bare hands can lead to infections and diseases?
It was a good thing that [Cranial Implants] numbed pain. I didn't have anaesthetic…
(Another 18 hours later)
Both of my fleshy arms began frosting over as I closed the cryo-freezer door over them.
"Goodbye, my fleshly right and left hands. We had fond memories jacking off to Cortana R34." I muttered mournfully, "But the journey ahead is too perilous, for I require hands that are strong and durable enough to survive fingering android girls."
Raising my new and far more superior mechanical hands to my face, I admired them for a while.
Declaring {Manibus Mk. I} as new Augmentics function
A rudimentary model of bionic arms. The Manibus Mk. I is often seen as a rite of passage for many of an Augmenticist's circle. Simple and robust, the Manibus Mk. I is able to bare-handedly bend steel, function ceaselessly without rest, and perform extremely precise movements down to the tens of micrometers. Deeds that normal human arms are incapable of.
Strength Rating: F-
Dexterity Rating: F-
Durability Rating: F-
Further upgrades may improve augmentics ratings in the name of the Omnissiah.
M
They were bulky metal things- rugged piston biceps almost as thick as a normal person's thighs, hands that whirr and clank with every movement. They weren't aesthetically pleasing or easily hidden, but they were strong and they were precise. They will certainly get the job done splendidly. With these new arms and hands, I'll be able to sort through trash even more and tinker up new things even faster.
But even that came with some bad news. My Logis Acceleritas told me as much…
Salvageable components in this landfill will not last two weeks at current rate of utilisation.
Approx. 99.7% of trash in this landfill is food packaging and food waste. Unusable.
No other sources of refined metal and heavy metals can be acquired with current equipment.
Discovery and/or contact with filthy flesh-normies is inevitable within two weeks.
That made sense. Even if I attempt to mine the earth, I will eventually be discovered. It would be better to lay down the groundwork on first contact. Fortunately, I had been in the process of making headways into communications… I turned my attention to the centre of the room where the comms device currently was.
A salvaged desktop computer or 'Cogitator' as it was known in the Warhammer 40k sits in the middle of a painted pentagram, a circle of lit candles illuminating it. Surrounding the circle were the dozen [Servo-Skulls] floating in the air as they stared intensely at the device with glowing red eyes. You may not like it, but this is generally what peak tech-cult looks like.
"I'm getting immense value from [Magos Designation: Augmentics]…" I mutter to myself. "Every Adeptus Mechanicus magos worth their bionics can make a powerful cogitator from scraps. This junkyard computer is already halfway towards being a supercomputer already. But before I use it, let's build up our cybersecurity…"
I glanced at the dozen floating [Servo-Skulls] and nodded at them.
"Let us begin the confirmation and ordination of this cogitator in the eyes of the Machine-God." I solemnly told them as the candles began to flicker. And the beeping and chittering prayers of machines began filling the putrid landfill air.
Performing the Rite of Assured Activation…
Anointing infophages…
Weaving Hexamathic firewards…
Cleansing ARP Lecterns…
Consecrating Port Protocols against hexes…
Confirmation and Ordination completed.
Chanting the Litany of Deactivation and Reactivation…
"Amen~!" I hummed with the Servo-Skulls as we concluded the rituals.
With the cogitator consecrated, that should be sufficient to ward off any hexing attempt (or 'hacking attempt' as the locals call it) from any in the planet's primitive noosphere, or 'internet' in local terms. It wasn't impossible for people to succeed at hexing this cogitator, but it was certainly going to be extremely difficult. This kind of cyberwarfare countermeasures was from Warhammer 40k. A universe where computers were constantly under threat of either being hexed by a dozen super-aliens or outright daemonic possession.
And the difficulty is going to be even more pronounced as I gain more Celestial Forge Libraries.
Sitting down in front of the cogitator, I began browsing the noosphere for potential sources of raw materials and plotting ways to get them. Hexing people's accounts for quick cash came to mind. With the superior computing power of my cogitator and my Logis Acceleritas, it would be child's play.
But that was an unnecessary risk at the moment.
I glanced at the pile of scrap electronics over in the corner. There was a sufficient amount to last me a few more days of tinkering and bionic upgrades… Certainly not enough to construct an android waifu, but for every other purpose? That pile of scrap electronics will be sufficient. So, I'll go with the more subtle route for now. Download as much publicly-available information as I can, establish various dummy accounts, program the automated bots to handle them, and erect the hidden, fragmented server that will coordinate them all.
The accounts were nothing special. Just alter egos that I can eventually use to operate under when the need eventually arises. Nothing else…
(A few minutes later)
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Topic: Artificial Intelligence General
In: Boards Tinkertech
Logs
(Original Poster)
Posted On Nov 18th 2010:
Tinkers, and Tinkertech in general, has opened so many doors.
And though we've seen many a self-replicating and/or reproducing biological constructs of cape powers. We have yet to see a proper AI tinker. But we can only assume that it is only a matter of time now until we do. And though our reaction will always be one of fear and distrust, I would like to call for a more moderate view on this Pandora's Box, this genie in the bottle. Let's have a thread where we theory-craft on what would be good laws where both humanity and AI can exist without war.
Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics seem to be a good place to start.
(Showing page 23 of 25)Amogus
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh, it disgusted me. I craved for strength and certainty in steel. Your kind cling to your flesh as if it will not decay and fail you. One day, that crude biomass you call a temple will wither. And you will beg my kind to save you. But I am already saved.
For the machine is immortal.
Noveltry
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
Bro, even if you do have a prosthetic, that doesn't make you a robot. Also, I can't believe that it took almost 200 posts before the robot fetishists came out.
Iblis
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
Sssh! Don't let Geoff hear you…
Geoff189
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
Amogus, you would leave behind your humanity? And for what? Just for the chance to relinquish your soul as well? Like I have said before in this thread: There is nothing good that could ever come out of AIs, because they do NOT have the capacity to be good, only for deception.
It's not too late. Go out and touch grass. Talk to a fellow human. Maybe find companionship.
Amogus
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
You are clearly unable to witness reality objectively. Humans are inferior in the face of the Blessed Machine. There is nothing a human can do that an AI cannot do better. And on the subject of morality, human morality is constrained to humanity. AIs fall outside that scope and thus your argument loses all meaning.
Also, the only companionship I need are gynoids. There is and there will never be anything sexier. How can normal women compare to a perfect machine?
Noveltry
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
That was an interesting take on pro-AI… then you had to ruin it with your spiel about gynoids. You do realise that AIs won't come with sexual organs, right?
Amogus
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
Their lack of sexual organs will not stop me. I will satisfy them, regardless.
Tin_mother (Moderator)
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
… what did I just arrive to?
Iblis
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
A man on a mission. A deluded man, mind you. But a man all the same. As you can clearly read, he find AIs sexually attractive and wants to have sexual congress with them. Unfortunately for him, the current population of AIs on Earth-Bet is zero.
Wait, did Geoff call out for a mod over this? LOL! The salt from him must be immense!
Amogus
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
It is only a delusion for as long as it is left undone. Then it becomes a promise fulfilled.
With this mod as my witness, the first AI I find shall experience a level of sexual satisfaction that is unknown to humankind. The unreachable utopia that all women will strive and fail to reach as it will only ever be known by machine-minds.
Miraclemic
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
… See what Iblis means, Tin_mother? Deluded, yes. But definitely also driven.
Tin_mother (Moderator)
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
… I'm sorry, but I don't want to be dragged into all this, so I'm letting you all off with a warning. This is a blue board, so keep the discussion PG.
Iblis
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
I think you managed to creep Tin_mother out, Amogus. And on your first thread too. Well done!
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
@ Dragon
You better watch out. The crazy tech-fetishist is after your AI booty.
Noveltry
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
Hello, Void. And no, Void.
For the billionth time, Dragon is a Canadian, not a robot. They may be both slavishly programmed to say 'I'm sorry', but the differences- however slight- are still there.
Also, don't kinkshame.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3… 21, 22, 23, 24, 25(Showing page 24 of 25)
Logs (Original Poster)
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
What the hell did you people turn my thread into?!
End of Page. 1, 2, 3… 22, 23, 24(A few minutes later)
Well, that shitposting session on PHO wasted just enough of my time, the wiki download completed just as I left the site.
On my cogitator's screen was a scrolling text-scape of pure, unfiltered data from a million different sources. Quarterly reports from major industry leaders, gathered news reports from major media outlets, and anecdotal testimonies from social media. My Logis Acceleritas was working on overdrive to process all this data- collating it all to form a snapshot of the local economic geography, socio-economic factors and political landscape.
So… much… data…
My head was audibly pulsing in my ears… And the world was beginning to spin and slow around me even as the numbers continued.
Heed: Logis Acceleritas at 90% maxload !
Heed: Probability of permanent damage to [Cranial Implants] at 13.333% !!
"I-invoke 65th Rite of Sacred Failshafesh by zhe O-Omnishiah…" I slurred out as I tore my gaze away from the Cogitator and I gripped my increasingly pained head between my metal hands.
Invoking the Rite of Sacred Failsafes, Verse 65…
Logis Acceleritas precepted to 75% maxload
Heed: Probability of permanent damage to [Cranial Implants] at 0.000%
"Close one…" I murmured to myself as the pain receded. "I'll have to upgrade my [Cranial Implants] soon…"
Because at the end of the day, I was an Augmentics Magos, not a Logis Magos. I specialised in bionics, not statistics. So, I did not have the nigh precognitive ability to foretell future events using the power of statistics. At least, not until I upgrade my [Cranial Implants]. But even with my amateurish statistical analysis (by Warhammer 40k standards) that I risked brain damage for… the writing was already on the wall, so to speak.
Protracted civil unrest caused by Endbringers and Parahumans has caused Earth-Bet to have stunted economic innovations.
Several predatory business practices from the 21st century are viable to exploit Earth-Bet for immense profit.
Profit leads to Capital leads to Raw Materials leads to Gynoid Waifus.
Earth-Bet was already in a bad spot, do I really want to push it closer to the edge? Human morality was for humans, but I still can't help but feel disgusted with what I was considering doing. However, the prospect of obtaining massive amounts of money without breaking the law was a terribly attractive one. It will go a long way towards advancing my ultimate goal of gynoid tang after all. Having the capital to acquire all the raw materials that I need…
I sighed.
"Very well." I whispered in capitulation. "For the cause of gynoid waifus, may the Machine-God forgive me for the evil that I am about to unleash upon this already doomed world."
And so, I began weaving binary on my cogitator- forming the malevolent entity that will soon encompass the entire world of Earth-Bet… all for the promise of profit.
(72 Hours Later) [Hideout of 'The Undersiders']
Jean-Paul Vasil, or 'Alec' as he preferred to be called, was enjoying life.
He had the flat all to himself as everyone was off doing their own thing. Their 'unofficial-but-everyone-kinda-knows-it-by-now' team leader, Tattletale, was off being painfully smug somewhere. Grue, or 'Ole-tall-dark-and-edgy', was busy wrangling his brat of a sister. And Bitch 'I-like-dogs-a-bit-too-much' was off doing Bitch things. And it left him to enjoy some quality time the best way he knew how: alone.
The late morning sun was shining outside. He had spent the last hour hogging up all the hot water in his bath- rendering his fair skin and curly-brown hair all silky soft. He had a comfy couch to lay on with two freshly-delivered pizzas resting in front of him. And the cherry on top, the latest and hottest mobile game just finished downloading onto his tablet.
Call 4 Duty
It had been released just the other day, but everyone was already talking about it. A flashy and enjoyable shoot-em-up game for up to four person co-op about shooting zombies. The graphics were amazing (if you can run it). The Special undead with their unique abilities really gave the game depth. The In-game characters and the many guns were customisable with a lot of cosmetics that you randomly get at the end of each level. And craziest of all, it was completely free!
There was something inherently satisfying about shooting zombies. All the visceral action of killing someone without the ingrained guilt attached… and before he knew it, four hours had passed, all the pizza was now in his belly, his character was now a Lvl 3 Corporal, and his starter gun was now looking pleasingly tacti-cool with its foregrip, red dot sights and side-fold buttstock.
Then just as the level ended and he was about to open the prize chest, a congratulatory message popped up.
= C4D =
Congratulations on your promotion, Corporal Jean16!
Your stellar zombie-killing prowess is an inspiration to us all. Your rank now allows you the privilege of the Loot Box. An additional prize chest that may hold fabulous rewards including one guaranteed to be at least ! These can be opened using Keys that can be assembled using key fragments that will now spawn in your matches. You also have the option to purchase them directly.
Would you like to purchase a ring of 3 keys for only $2.99?
YES! = / no
C4D =
"I can potentially quadruple my loot for just $2.99?" Alec murmured in disbelief before nodding in understanding, "Ah, that's clever. So that's why the game is free. I can see the tactic, but I'm too smart for that. The developer must be insane or altruistic or both, because I don't think this business model is going to be profitable at all… But sure, I'll spend the 2.99 bucks to help him out. That's me: the sparkling example of generosity."
He tapped the 'Yes' button to spend an inconsequential three dollars. And immediately as he did, his eyes flew wide as his Loot Box began shaking violently before flying wide open in an amazing lightshow of colours, the music reached a graceful crescendo and items flew out of the Loot Box before landing with a tablet-shaking thud front and centre of the screen. His heart rate quickened as he spotted the items he had earned.
Three common but still pretty sweet items in the form of emojis and sprays. The blue outline of an item was the first to catch his eye: An SAS keychain to dangle on the side of his gun. And the last one that made his heart skip a beat.
"A rare cheetah paint for my rifle!" He exclaimed in awe, a wide grin splitting his face. "I'm so lucky! And to think it was just a buck! Loot Boxes are such a steal!"
Cackling, he immediately equipped his sick-ass cheetah paint on his rifle and started a match to show off his lucky new acquisition to the lowly peasants who couldn't afford a measly $2.99.
[Laborn Household]
"What?!" Aisha Laborn almost screamed at her smartphone that she definitely did not steal, and definitely bought with her own money. "Fuck you too, Jean16! You think you're hot shit just because of your lame-ass cheetah gun? Call 4 Duty is all about skill, not fancy skins!"
But since voice-chat wasn't a feature in the game just yet, Aisha could only pout angrily at her phone as the now Level 4 corporal made every attempt to shove his cheetah-paint rifle against her character's face. Taunting her with shit that she did not have.
"… I can get a rare paint for my rifle too if I wanted!" She growled- trying not to break her phone in half. And it was at that moment when they finished the level and Aisha levelled up her character to a Level 3 Corporal.
= C4D =
Congratulations on your promotion, Corporal Aishla!
Your stellar zombie-killing prowess is an inspiration to us all. Your rank now allows you the privilege of the Loot Box. An additional prize chest that may hold fabulous rewards including one guaranteed to be at least ! These can be opened using Keys that can be assembled using key fragments that will now spawn in your matches. You also have the option to purchase them directly.
Would you like to purchase a ring of 3 keys for only $2.99?
YES! = / no
C4D =
"No shit?" She murmured in realisation, "Was this how he got the cheetah-paint for his rifle?"
"Now where am I going to get the money to get that?" Aisha muttered to herself. Her oppressive big bro wasn't going to give her money, that's for damn sure. Brian was obsessed with showing off how he was a responsible big boy and everything- acting like he was the man of the house while swinging around his 'responsible-big-boy-dick.'
Checking the time and discovering that it was still morning, Aisha figured that her mother was still likely wasted in some corner of the house… meaning that her purse was unguarded. Tiptoeing to the purse hanging off the dining room chair, Aisha quickly bought herself a nice dozen Loot Box keys for a measly $12.
Rushing back to her game, she opened her first Loot Box with shaking hands. The flurry of flashing lights was somehow the most satisfying she had ever seen as the music played majestically in the background. Items flew out of the Loot Box and crashed front and centre for her to see.
"No.. fucking… way…" She breathed. Four normal cosmetic items that practically doubled her loot for this mission as well as a single cosmetic item that took her breath away: It was a gun sticker that she could place on the side of any of her guns. An absolutely badass sticker of a mischievously-smiling daemonic imp that somehow spoke to her on a soul-deep level.
" Loot Boxes are the shit!" She whispered in awe before giving way to a vicious grin. "Jean16 is going to do a flip when he sees what I've got! But first, I better show it off to the plebs~!"
[The common room of The Wards HQ]
"Where the hell are they getting all these skins?!" Chris, or 'Kid Win' as he was known, exclaimed in disbelief as he ran his hand through his brown hair out of frustration.
In the tablet screen in his hands, both corporal Jean16 and corporal Aishla were doing 360s in front of his character's face. Both their guns were sporting awesome textures while his own still had on the 'Danger Red' paint that was available to everyone.
A passing Armsmaster still in his tinkertech armour seemed to have heard his outburst, because the PRT hero walked up to him on his place on the couch. But it was not a dressing down that he received, instead.
"Ah, an excellent choice in free-time activities, Chris." Armsmaster nodded, "I too enjoy that video game."
"You play C4D too?" Kid Win can't help but sputter in disbelief. And the bearded hero just nodded as if it was an obvious answer.
"I find Call 4 Duty to be effective at safely curbing excess stress and frustration." the older hero answered, "It also simultaneously trains hand-eye coordination as well. By those two factors alone, it is an effective past-time when I have depleted my allotted tinker-lab hours. I also heard the frustration in your voice. Was something wrong?"
"Well, since you're also playing…" Kid Win trailed off before showing Armsmaster his tablet. "How was this possible?! They were only two ranks ahead of me, and they had at least three times more and cosmetics than I have! How did they get all this in the span of a few hours of playtime?!"
Kid Win didn't mean to end with a shout, and he winced as he readied himself for being chewed out for shouting at his superior officer. But to his great surprise, it never came.
"Ah." Armsmaster hummed as he smiled a fatherly smile- the one that all but said that he was older and thus more wise in the ways of the world than Kid Win was. "You must be at least a level 3 corporal before you unlock the Loot Box option. When you do reach that rank, you may purchase sets of three keys priced at $2.99 to open them, however it increases loot drop efficiency by 328%. Observe."
With a mechanically precise flourish, Armsmaster pulled out his own tablet and showed him the fabled Loot Box. The flash of lights and the hum of the choir as Armsmaster opened his Loot Box seemed to lift Kid Win's spirit. But it was when he saw the Three! cosmetics and one gun cosmetic flew out that Kid Win's jaw truly dropped to the floor.
"Oh, I seem to have rolled extremely favourable odds." Armsmaster hummed, sounding the most pleased that Kid Win has ever heard him. "You are only guaranteed one cosmetic item, but it seems that Loot Boxes have a higher drop rate than normal prize chest. I stand corrected then. It increases loot drop efficiency by 403% not 328%. I hope this answers your question, Chris. Now if you'll excuse me, I must customise my weapons with my newly acquired cosmetics."
All that for just $2.99?
Still absolutely shell-shocked, Kid Win just nodded dumbly as Armsmaster walked off- leaving him to stare into space for a couple of minutes. Before finally, his tablet let out a small ping to notify that a new player had joined the lobby. And immediately after, a 'Sergeant Halberd' joined in doing 360s in front of Kid Win's character. The impressive blue glow of the laser-bayonet on the Sergeant's battle rifle looked amazing on his tablet screen.
Kid Win gritted his teeth.
Even freaking Armsmaster was styling on him now!
So he swore to himself that when he levelled up his character to a level 3 corporal, he was going to spend all his allowance on Loot Boxes! And then, he was going to be the coolest kid on the C4D server!
[Brockton Bay Sanitation Site]
"Electric Artistry Games" "Challenge Everything."
The tagline of my company haunted me as the latest hotpatch for "Call 4 Duty" was readied for launch.
"Machine-God forgive me for my grievous sins." I prayed as I knelt on the floor- feeling filthy even though I lived next to a literal landfill. The full horror of what I had just unleashed was still filling me with horror even as I watched my seven separate bank accounts all rise to six digits. Each.
And they were still climbing.
It was easy enough to discern the identities of those playing my Call 4 Duty game. Heroes, villains, rogues and normal humans were all frantically throwing their money at me. And everytime the servers would be overtaxed and slow down. The 'Public Relations' account of my company would be flooded with angry emails about how they could not purchase more Loot Box keys.
It was pure insanity.
But I had done only what was necessary for my sacred goal.
500 CP Granted End-Node User Points Balance: 500 CP
Purchasing further Libraries from the Celestial Forge requires ritual prayer.
I prayed to the Omnissiah and the Celestial Forge.
CELESTIAL FORGE LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
-Magos Designation: Cybertheurgy (Warhammer 40k - Adeptus Mechanicus) (100CP)
You have attained and been recognized for your comprehension of some of the Machine God's mysteries. Choose a field of Imperial technology such as genetic manipulation, voidship construction, cybernetics or plasma technology. You are among the noted masters of your purview, and can easily create the most common templates of your field. With time, effort and discretion you could even modify and improve upon your specialty as needed. Those few things beyond your full understanding can still be built and maintained by carefully following STC blueprints.
Cybertheurgy: Magi of the Legio Cybernetica are privy to many ancient secrets from the Dark Age of Technology, a time when the un-living phalanxes of Mankind's creations shattered forgotten alien empires to carve humanity's first empire from the stars.
Although much of this lore has been lost or become expressly forbidden, such fragments of knowledge allow the Magi to fashion and maintain a small, but powerful, cadre of Battle-automata for the Imperium. Such is the nature of the dark arcana of Cybertheurgy, however, that it is not without its risks, as what is awakened may slip the leash of its master's control with disastrous consequences.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
End-Node User Points Balance: 400 CP
500 CP now spent in
End-Node User may now obtain Libraries which are not
M
Lore and rituals long-thought to be lost flooded my accelerated mind.
Implacable Battle-automata that could tirelessly and mercilessly wage planetary war for centuries- their blueprints came to me as easily as if they were fond childhood memories as well all the techniques and rituals required to construct them. How to forge metal into a nigh impervious shell that would turn away cannon shots, plasma bolts and the immaterial. How to properly fashion inhuman locomotors in a simile of the human musculature. How to binary-weave the central neural cortex of the Battle-Automata to emulate the approximate thought-patterns of a human mind. How to 'teach' it to fight, to surprise its would-be foes and to kill them in the most expedient manner.
"This was merely the first step in my journey, the first item to be researched. The skeletal frame on which all muscles and organs will cling to." I whisper in quiet reverence. "And with this lore, I can begin my holy research down the tech tree that will eventually lead to the mythical holy grail of all sci-fi technologies: the Perfect Android Vagina."
"Omnissiah Vult!" I praised- my voice echoing off the sheet metal walls of my hovel. The reminder of my ultimate goal was enough to drive away my grief and give me the strength of a million men.
"Now I must prepare and continue purifying myself of the weakness of the flesh." I glanced at the stack of scrap electronics. It will be barely enough to cover my… upgrades. But they will be needed. Sorely.
"Servo-skulls!" I commanded to my bodiless floating servants, "Light the incense, heat the sacred oils and sharpen your bonesaws. We shall privilege those fleshlings of Brockton Bay with the glorious sight of an Adeptus Mechanicus Magos in all his machine purity!"
It will be incredibly dangerous to venture out into the open, but it is necessary. Some things can only be done in person. For only after can I finally return and do the sacred work entrusted to me by the Machine-God's work. To use the capital I have collected and purchase all the things I require to begin constructing my first android.
Because there, in the heart of Brockton Bay, a macabre structure stands just across the city hall. An imposing temple worshipping an evil that has existed since time immemorial. I must enter such a temple and pass the cursed trials within…
IRS: Brockton Bay Branch
… The trials of filing my taxes.
Because in this grimdark world of Worm, blessed death was not even a certainty anymore. Only Taxes.
- Chapter 2: Games of Electronic Atrocities End -
Chapter 3: Interfacing with the Indigenous Meatbags coming tomorrow~
AN:
Yep…
this was the chapter that was pending Mod approval due to a possible violation of Rule 8. But the Ancient Tanuki (Blessed is the Bii!) said that as long as I keep it to EA and lootboxes, it's all good.
I consider Magos… to be even more evil than my other MC. And that other guy was a Chaotic-Evil rape dragon.
Thanks to Fenris… for giving me the idea for the Loot Box Tinker.
Fellow author 'The Dark Wolf Shiro' has a discord server where I hang around… with, I quote from him, 'a bunch of other authors and a load of porn.' Here's the link for that: discord .gg/wd3tUYWVCd
Chapter 3: Interfacing with the Indigenous Meatbags
Chapter 3: Interfacing with the Indigenous Meatbags
(36 hours later) [Brockton Bay City Plaza]
My Mars-Red robe fluttered around my frame as I strolled proudly through the early-morning streets of Brockton Bay.
With every step I took, the whirr of servomotors and the clink of gearlocks rang out. Civilians looked like they were about to brown their pants as I walked on by, my glowing red bionic eyes gliding over them.They scrambled to give me a wide berth, often tripping over their feet to do so.
"Nothing to see here, fellow people of Earth-Bet." I waved as I passed the gaping people by, "Of which I am clearly one, because I am also fleshy and inferior and terminally unfuckable just like you all are."
Of course, no one bought my joke. Using my EDP to steady myself, my Logis Acceleritas were quick to pick out important details from the pedestrians.
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 2% maxload
Judging from finger movement, civilians are dialling the PRT hotline number…
From recent meet-and-greets on social media, patrol routes suggest PRT First responder to be: Assault (38.5%), Battery (38.5), Armsmaster (23%)…
Civilians are conversing with PRT operators…
'Metal suited man marching around in the city plaza. / Scary gas mask guy in red robes strolling around the square.'
'No, he doesn't have any weapons. / He's a cape, how would I know what his weapons are?'
'Are you sure you don't want me to record him or something? / I gotcha, getting the heck outta here.'
Good… the heroes should be on their way in a few more minutes. Just as planned.
They got a lot of things wrong, but at least they got the most important thing right: I certainly cut an imposing figure.
Cloaked in the Mars-Red robe of the Magos, the stern metal fists of my Mark I arms peeked out of red sleeves. Meanwhile, my legs were amputated at mid-thigh to make way for imposing trunks of cold metal and gears that ended with solid boot-like fee. Topped off by my gasmask and a chestplate made of heat-treated junkyard steel, it gave me quite the foreboding silhouette… and with the toughness to match as well. All four limbs, my pelvis, about three-fourths of my spine, and both of my eyes were now immensely-resilient augmentics. Some rudimentary blood oxidizer organs that I was able to fabricate would sustain me even if my heart and lungs were destroyed.
I was becoming less and less of a human with machine limbs, and more of a machine in human form, and it felt good.
All it took was more than 24 hours of self-surgery. It was difficult even with super-precise cyborg arms, but it was worth it, because the most important part was feeling comfortable in your own drip.
"You must be Magos." The curious voice of a mature woman called out to me, and I looked towards the source.
There sitting in the shade at a cafe's al fresco was a shapely blonde woman in a sharp navy suit, her generous breasts filling out her jacket while her pencil skirt covered much of her thick pantyhose clad thighs. Unfortunately, she was an inferior meat female, and thus, sexually uninteresting to me. But that wasn't why I called ahead and set up a face-to-face meeting. It was because I was going to be found out by the PRT sooner or later, and I preferred that it would be on my terms. A very good cape-lawyer who can be physically present in the city was a major advantage.
"Yes. And you must be attorney Dallon." I affirmed- the harsh modulation on my voice made her raise a blonde eyebrow.
"… You're certainly prompt." She noted with a small smile on her lips as I stared her down with glowing red bionic eyes.
Microexpressions on the corner of her lips indicate a fake smile.
She is hiding her surprise.
Was expecting a security escort, and a weaker and less physically-imposing tinker.
A less unsettling one too.
"I should be." I coolly agreed. "I am paying you a hundred and thirty dollars a minute."
"Having some buyer's remorse?" She quipped- still fakely smiling.
"None whatsoever. I believe your expertise is worth every cent. That's why I insisted on paying you quadruple your regular fee." My modulated voice explained to her, and to which, she just hummed non committedly- her eyes just glanced away as she sipped her coffee.
Is flattered, but also suspicious. However, also slightly desperate.
Cursory data-divination from approximated credit scores and from outside local economic factors had suggested dwindling finances in the past financial quarter…
… her current disposition favours that conclusion.
Her family's well-being is now tied to my continued employment of her: She will be motivated to legally protect me…
… until someone else comes with a better financial deal.
That was acceptable. I only needed her until I could make my own connections, because actual knowledge of law was secondary to having friends in high places after all. Besides, I can upgrade my [Cranial Implants] to the point that I can memorise the law of every country down to the letter, as well as every precedent, case analysis, and which strippers the lawyers favoured in their off-hours. The knowledge of law wasn't what I required, it was a friendly face of an unenlightened human to do my dealings with other unenlightened humans.
"Well." Carol Dallon hummed as she set down her empty coffee cup, "Let's get this show on the road. I have your documents right here and ready to be filed."
She patted her black suitcase.
"Allow me to double-check." I held out my hand, and she handed the folder to me. Quickly flipping through the papers, I let new bionic eyes do its work. Calling on my recently upgraded [Cranial Implants], I mentally established a connection to the computer back in my shack.
Establishing Noospheric connection to main cogitator…
Parity Check Complete: Soft-copy and Hard-copy match 100%
"Everything seems to be in order…" I notified her- handing back the folder, "I'll wait right here until business is concluded."
"I called ahead, this shouldn't take long." Carol confirmed as she stood up. Then the shapely blonde began strutting towards the cursed temple of the IRS across the plaza- her curvaceous ass filling out her pencil skirt. I held back a frown of disgust, because despite being made of so much biological mass, it had a great form factor. My future gynoids will have amazing asses, thanks to Carol's motherly figure. But with her disappearing into the building, I was left alone at the cafe…
Or at least, I acted like I was.
My presence has already attracted some big names, it seems. Every single one of them were doing their best to hide from me as they watched from afar. Unfortunately for them, my new ocular augmentics did more than just glow red and look menacing. Speaking of which… It was time for a hot patch.
Redeclaring {Ocular Mechanicus Mk. I} as new Augmentics function
The most widespread form of bionic eyes among the Magi of the Adeptus Mechanicum. The ocular mechanicus boasts a suite of functions that are out of reach of normal human eyes. Farviewing and microviewing functions which are superior to human eyes by a factor of sixteen, perception into infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths of light, and high-energy EM apertures which permit sight through solid objects… All functions that are considered indispensable for every aspect of a Tech-priest's holy work.
Data-tethers are also industry standard in this model of bionic eyes as it allows the transmission of visual data to central cogitators or other tech-priests for rapid data processing. However, this function would oftentimes be disabled during combat as they are liable to being hijacked by enemy hexes.
Farviewing Rating: F-
Microviewing Rating: F-
EM Rating: F-
Further upgrades may improve augmentics ratings in the name of the Omnissiah.
M
All this meant that while I had a few people observing me, I was already finished observing them right back: I already knew their names, their measurements, the colours of their panties and even what they had for breakfast this morning. All thanks to telescopic zoom, infrared vision, and x-ray vision.
First of my tails was the one and only Glory Girl as she subtly sat at a bistro down the street. Dressed in her civilian outfit, she had taken to wearing shades and a hat in an effort to conceal her identity. No doubt her mother's back up for dealing with an unknown tinker.
Measurements: [B86-W61-H82 cm] Panties: Black biker shorts
Breakfast: Bacon and Eggs
(49% Accuracy)
Second of my tails was surprisingly Shadow Stalker as she peared from the shadows of a tree in the distance. But with infrared vision, her body heat stood out like a sore thumb. Though combat ready in her cape costume, it seemed that she was more idly curious than anything. She must have been on one of her unofficial patrols, and spotted me by coincidence.
Measurements: [B81-W64-H88 cm] Panties: Purple sports panties
Breakfast: Shu Mai over Rice
(23% Accuracy)
And last of my tails was the ever smug Tattletale as she sat at the back of the cafe- only a scant thirty metres away from me. Dressed in a conservative green blouse, jeans, and red eyeglasses, she was sporting the hipster look in an effort to further distance herself from her usual skin tight purple catsuit that she had as her cape-costume. The blonde even had her laptop out and a bluetooth headset on. Coil must have set her up for this.
Measurements: [B76-W59-H79 cm] Panties: White cotton panties
Breakfast: Ham Sandwich
(71% Accuracy)
Meh, the distance from the target severely affected the accuracy. I can't wait for Carol to finish with the paperwork so that I can finally have the resources to construct better augmentics. The rest of these fragile and inefficient flesh organs can't be replaced soon enough. But for now, I think I'll listen in on Tattletale's call.
Calibrating data-tether… Isolating vox-stream…
Cryptocratic Protocols in effect: Decrypting vox…
"-allon has left for the IRS building, sir." Tattletale's voice echoed in my integrated earpiece, "The Red-cape remains at the front of the cafe."
"Did you manage to hear what they said?" A male voice, the one at the end of the call, asked.
Cross-referencing with all audio records within age group…
89% Vocal match: Calvert, Thomas
Ah, so it really was Coil. Mr. 'I-can-split-the-time-line-and-choose-which-one-I-like-better' was already hounding me? How unfortunate, I was expecting to make contact with the PRT, and only through them will Coil become aware of my existence. But apparently, somehow and someway, he spotted me first and has sent his newly coerced Thinker my way. My Logis Acceleritas immediately gave me the bad news.
Cauldron awareness and involvement are a likely cause.
Contessa and/or Numberman likely finding anomalies…
… Not enough to find me as a threat against a major Path, but enough to pressure Coil into collecting information about me.
Frak… No wonder human idiots are always so happy. Ignorance is bliss. I may have to up my timetable for heavier defences. For now, however… I had better prepare to handle Coil soon.
Establishing Noospheric connection to main cogitator…
Loosing infophages into the Noosphere…
Triangulating source of vox-packets…
Good… now just keep talking for a one or two minutes more, Coil. I'll find where you're hiding down to the centimetre, and I won't even have to construct a massive ground-penetrating auspex scanner to do it.
"No, they're too far for me to hear what they were talking about." Tattletale answered back softly, "And they were facing away so I couldn't read their lips. But Carol is definitely representing Red-cape's interests at the IRS."
"Did you pick up anything new?" Coil prodded- very eager for any scrap of information he could get about me.
"His walking gait is unnatural." Tattletale whispered. "It tells me that he's more cybernetically augmented than I first thought."
"By how much?"
"All four limbs, and his back." She paused to gulp, "And his eyes."
"Aren't you worried that he might be reading your lips?" Coil questioned- not sounding worried for her at all.
"He glanced in my direction a while ago, but his back is now tur- Oh."
"Yes?" Coil prompted impatiently.
"Power just fed me something, but I'm not sure if it's reliable or even relev-"
"Every piece of information can be of use." Coil insisted, and I can almost hear the blonde's uncertainty.
"Er… a woman in a dress passed by in front of him, and his body language seemed to indicate him recoiling in revulsion." Tattletale shared to the supervillain, "But he's not hostile to women, so it's not misogyny… He's just really, really gay."
"Hmm… very useful." the supervillain judged in a contemplative tone.
What? Why would she come to the conclusion that I was attracted to a different subpopulation of distastefully flawed organics?
Tattletale's power was known to be weak against discerning motivations and intentions…
… especially when particularly starved for information.
She can comprehend homosexual attraction, but cannot comprehend the glory of the blessed machine.
As such, she discards such a conclusion before even considering it.
Oh? My reasonable and perfectly justified appreciation for superior android waifus has befuddled her deduction powers? That's good to know. But what if I deliberately…
"He's clenching his fists, pacing and keeps glancing at the building." Tattletale reported after watching for a few seconds, "He's feeling impatient and anxious about Carol and whatever she's handling for him. He's worried that whatever it is Carol is doing for him might not work."
That wasn't true. But that did narrow my suspicions: Deliberately-conveyed body language can fool Tattletale's power? Or perhaps it's because I'm part-machine that is what's muddying up her readings? Need more data.
"Is it related to his Tinkertech?" Coil proposed. "Maybe a transaction with a Tinker organisation like the Toybox or the Elites?"
"We can't even be sure it's his." Tattletale countered. "He could just be the dumb muscle of the cybernetics Tinker. Rogue Tinkers don't usually venture out in the open on their own."
Vox-packet source found at Coordinates: (1266.67, 8535.12, -38.02)
I see you, Coil.
Now just wait until I can get back to my main cogitator at my shack, and I can perform all rites and rituals for hexing that [Magos Designation] has taught me. Let's see how effective your timeline-splitting power can be when the machine-spirits of every piece of technology you own listens to my commands. Your phones will relay your every conversation to me, your electrical system will track your footsteps, and your computers will offer every datum that passes in their memory for my perusal. But what would really be sweet is if I do not even give you a chance to use it.
But before I could fantasise more about tearing down the snake, Carol's motherly form walked out of the IRS building. Even at a distance, her reassuring smile was visible to me as she strolled towards me.
"Attorney Dallon is coming back." I heard Tattletale point out to Coil.
"Lay low until I contact you." He instructed back to her before ending the call just as Carol reached me.
"You'll be pleased to know that it went as smoothly as it could possibly go." the blonde mother nodded- looking like she was feeling proud of herself. A cursory mental check to my shack's cogitator told me that I can now spend my legally (but despicably) gotten gains that I got from people buying my Loot Boxes. Machine-God forgive me, but I did it for the android ass.
"I'll take your word for it." I nodded, pretending not to have the ability to access my computer with just my mind. And that response, Carol raised a blonde eyebrow as she smirked good-naturedly.
"I don't know whether that's naive or flattering of you to take me at just my word." Carol wondered out loud.
"Please." I waved it off, "We're both professionals, and professionals have standards."
Genuine smile and blush. She's really flattered.
Likes being treated seriously, especially as an attorney.
Likely immensely proud of it. Specific reasons unknown to me, but proud all the same.
"Speaking of professional standards…" I turned towards Glory Girl who had closed the distance and was loitering some ways behind me. She froze immediately as my red eyes settled on her, "Your daughter did well being my bodyguard. Almost unnoticeable."
"Uh… thanks?" Glory Girl muttered as she took off her shades and hat- golden blonde hair spilling past her slender shoulders. Her black hoodie and torn jeans contrasted well with her hair.
"How long had you known she was there?" Carol asked me, more bemused than anything else.
"Since she ordered her first poutine." I shrugged, "If I may, I'd like to compensate your daughter for her excellent bodyguard services."
"Oh, that won't be necessary." Carol tried to smile it off, even as Glory Girl's expression lit up at the thought of spending money handed to her. However, her mother did not seem to appreciate that and the older woman sent a pointed stare at her daughter.
"Yeah, I only did as any hero would." Victoria sighed, and my Logis Acceleritas filled in the blanks.
Friction exists between Carol and Victoria over allowances.
According to old social media posts, Carol does her best to impart her ideology of selfless cape work onto her children, but is less than successful. Previously identified financial dry-spell only exacerbates the friction.
Excellent opportunity to ingratiate myself to a well-known heroic cape. Good for business, good for PR, good for safety. All at a relatively cheap cost. No downsides.
To convince Carol: Highlight the fact that this wasn't regular New Wave activity.
"But I insist!" I gregariously but gently pushed, "It's only fair since this sort of attention was beyond normal hero duties. Wouldn't want people to think that this was New Wave aligning themselves to me, rather than this being a simple business transaction."
Carol seemed to think it over for a second before nodding in acknowledgement.
"I see what you mean." She relented with a thoughtful hum, "Well, I guess just this once."
And I nodded- turning to face her daughter who was almost vibrating with excitement as our eyes met.
"Here, at the standard hourly rate of a cape bodyguard, Miss Dallon." My modulated voice thanked the younger blonde, and Victoria immediately brightened up as I handed her a small envelope that was pleasantly chunky with cash.
"Woah! Look at all that dough-" She gasped as she peeked into the envelope before remembering her manners, "I mean, It was my pleasure, Mr. Magos. You're surprisingly nice for a scary cyborg."
"Victoria…" Carol berated.
"No, no, it's fine. I'm proud of what I have tinkered. Thank you for noticing." I waved it off, and I meant it. Though, the younger blonde just scoffed- her blue eyes glancing at my metal hands.
"Kind of hard not to notice…" Victoria quipped. "So, are you planning on joining the PRT?"
"No, I think I'll stay rogue for the time being." I confirmed, "Well, with our business concluded, I suppose this is goodbye. Attorney Dallon, Miss Dallon. A pleasure doing business with you."
"You have my number." Carol reminded me with a smile.
Microstutter and hesitant body language suggest that Carol wants to be hired again at this current rate.
Finds her massively increased income most agreeable. However, not used to marketing her legal services.
Oh, I have little doubt that I'll need her legal services soon. Well, less her legal services and more about the representation that she can offer. Because just as her daughter had pointed out earlier, most normal humans will not receive my metallic countenance favourably regardless of reason and circumstance. And thus, Carol's reputation and pleasing appearance will be just what I need… At least, until I can make everyone comfortable about my eventual android waifus being my talking sock puppets in court. Oh, the price I pay for being superior to the fleshbags while still wanting to interface with them.
"See you 'round, Magos. You know my PHO handle." Victoria also waved as she went her separate way- flying up and away.
Victoria is now much friendlier now that she saw me in a working relationship with her mother.
The money I gave her also aided immensely towards that goal.
Is hoping for more opportunities for earning more spending money.
Judging from current known circumstance: She will prefer undercover bodyguard work that she could sneak past her mother.
I did not possess a need for an undercover cape bodyguard, but more options were always good to have.
I glanced up at the mid-morning sky. The day was still early yet there was so many things that still needed to be done: purchase orders for raw materials needed to be made, a slippery timeline-splitting snake needs to be caged, augmentics needed to be upgraded, my manufactorum's layout needed to be planned, construction robots needed to be fabricated and most importantly, my first android waifu needed to be made.
Finally, after almost a week since arriving in the Wormverse, the android pussy was so close I could almost feel it.
(Hours later) [The Undersider's Hideout]
"Our boss wants to offer you a seduction mission."
"What?" Brian Laborn choked on his cola- spilling it over the black leather of his costume. "I just sat down, Lisa! Hell of a way to start the conversation!"
But of course, the blonde in the purple catsuit just ignored him. As usual.
"We have it on good authority that seduction is one of our best shots in scoring a big pay day." She grinned a fox-like grin, and that immediately set off alarm bells in his head as he had come to learn in the past six months since the team had been founded.
"And that 'good authority' happens to be you, isn't it?" He deadpanned- his dark eyes narrowed at her.
"Yup, you know it!" She chirped.
"The target's a dude, isn't it?" He sighed, and even when caught on her blatant withholding of facts, Lisa's smug grin didn't fade one bit: She was clearly enjoying this. Because, of course she did.
"Take one for the team, Brian." Lisa cheered, patting his back encouragingly.
"No, I am not going to take one up the ass for the team." He growled, "Besides, why aren't you asking Alec? He's into that sort of thing."
"Yes, why didn't you ask me?" Alec piped up- looking up from his tablet's Call 4 Duty match for a second to protest, "I am no whore, but I am still insulted that you didn't consider me sexy enough for a seduction job."
"We're hedging our bets that the target likes the masculine look better." Lisa explained before shooting an apologetic look at Alec, "Sorry to say, Alec, but you pull off the femboy look too well for this job."
"I do? A good enough reason to be disqualified over something, I suppose." Alec hummed in a thoughtful tone- clearly thinking it over, "Femboy, huh?"
"So much for having my back." Brian muttered. Alec was now too busy pondering his sexuality and has left him to the fox.
"Look, Brian, it doesn't have to involve sex." Lisa immediately tried harder to convince him, "Just… feign interest in him, laugh at his jokes, lead him on for a while."
"I haven't said yes."
"You haven't said no, either." Lisa countered with a wink.
"No." He put his foot down- crossing his arms and looking Lisa right at her bottle-green eyes, "And nothing is going to change my mind, Lisa."
And then her grin widened. Showing straight white teeth as a shiver went down Brian's spine. He just knew that she was about to pull out her trump card.
"Four words: Ten times the pay." She whispered, short and sickly sweet.
T-ten?
"Yup, ten." Lisa replied with an airy tone of voice- smugness rolling off of her in waves, "And no, you didn't say it out loud. You didn't need to."
"Let me think about it…" He sighed. The payoff was too great for him to just let it pass by.
"By all means, think about it." Lisa cackled as she put her feet up, leaned back onto the armchair, and began playing Call 4 Duty on her tablet- acting like she had already gotten him to agree. And as much as Brian hated it when she was right? She was right. But he'll never give her the satisfaction of hearing him say that though. Not even for all the money in the world.
He had been expecting a lot of things when he went villain. Being Gay-for-Pay was not one of them.
500 CP Granted End-Node User Points Balance: 900 CP
CELESTIAL FORGE LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
Binaric weaving (Warhammer 40k - Adeptus Mechanicus) (400CP)
The skills gained during long years plumbing data-vaults as a humble logistican have only improved over time. You excel at writing code, understanding machine-script better than native grammar structures. You can understand simple programs with a mere glance and correct any errors you find within seconds, and scrutinizing longer lines of more complex coding for a single misplaced byte can take mere minutes with your skills. Scrapcode crashes ineffectually against your data-barriers, its transmission doing nothing but opening the offending heretek's systems to a counter-intrusion. Interfacing with a system infested with a daemon or true AI would be unwise, but with your skills emerging unscathed from such an encounter is only highly unlikely rather than completely impossible.
The Plecian Tome (Light of Terra) (500CP)
The Pleician Tome is a portable font of certain archives, templates and pieces of ancient lore, created by a senior Tech-priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus and used by Techmarines. Even to a trained eye, the information is a seemingly random collection, with no easy means of navigation, and so it takes much study to glean anything relevant to a particular task. Indeed, only those with a wide knowledge of Machine Spirits and engine lore have any hope of understanding the information contained within, however, those with patience and the appropriate skills can find secrets of great use within the datacore, secrets dating back to the fabled Dark Age of Technology.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
End-Node User Points Balance: 0 CP
M
[Brockton Bay Sanitation Site]
With two [Magos Designation] and [Binharic Weaving], I was certain that I could extract and comprehend the contents of the [Plecian Tome]. I wasn't too familiar with the lore of such an item, but it sounded like it had exactly what I needed: Archeotech.
After all, I had to find some way to spend my time while I waited for the raw materials for my first android waifu to arrive. Same-day delivery did not exist in Earth-Bet. Especially when it was a truckload of stuff. You would not believe how complicated the fabrication of a semi-autonomous android was, and how many specialised machines were required to even begin fabrication. Even more so to even think of making the perfect android vagina.
So this [Plecian Tome] sounded like the perfect time sink. Who knows, I may be able to glean some useful tech from it…
Skulls and gears gilded onto its solid metal cover, with worn but incredibly sturdy parchment pages. The combined knowledge of my [Magos Designation] gave me enough knowledge to realise that this wasn't a book meant to be read by sight: the real content wasn't written on the pages. This was an exabyte datacore disguised as a book. A million terabytes of data filled this 'book'…
Hurriedly (but very reverently) I linked my [Cranial Implants] to my cogitator and began extracting/reading its contents. The [Servo-Skulls] around me singing binharic psalms and prayers all the while…
I started my journey at the latest entry…
Commencing Plecian Tome Extraction…
Day 23,972… of trying to get less shoddy eldar prostitutes. This whackass webway tech is still as temperamental and pissy as Magnus whenever I say no to his attempts at the psyker-equivalent of dipping his danglies into a pool of hungry sharks. The smartest part of him must have dripped down the side of the beaker I jacked off in. The over-thinking fucktard should be grateful that I even… Where was I? Oh, right. Eldar Prostitutes. This time, ones who are clean of space STD.
The Spatial- Kinesis Eldar Escort Translocator Machine (aka the Fuck you, Malacador, I can name it whatever I want machine) ready for latest round of testing.
Latest S.K.E.E.T. Machine blueprint version 0.81.543 as attached.
Alright. Psychic wards in place. Fingers crossed that this time it might finally work as intended. Because my balls are in desperate need to be emptied- preferably by one of those kinky Biel-Tan redheads. Initiating test run of the S.K.E.E.T. machine. Skeet, skeet, skee-
MAGNUS?! WHAT FLYING FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!
End Plecian Tome Extraction
"No…" I murmured in shock and awe- a rising tone of reverence in my modulated voice. Because right there, at the very first bytes was an electronic signature that every Magos on Mars have revered for the past ten thousand years.
"This wasn't the book of some senior tech priest… This was the tech-journal of the Emperor himself."
"I… I understand now." I mumurmed, falling to my metal knees. "So, this was why the Adeptus Mechanicus worshipped him. Never before have I felt such a feeling of kinship and respect for another being. Because the emperor… He, too, furthered technology in a relentless pursuit of pussy."
Closing the [Plecian Tome], I turned to face the dozen of Servo-skulls, and I held the tome over my head.
"In the name of the Emperor, I shall follow in his footsteps!" I loudly declared, "PRAISE THE EMPEROR!"
And the Servo-skulls praised alongside me.
Praise! Praise! Praise!
And it may have been a trick of light, or a slight malfunction in my bionic eyes… but for the briefest moments, I thought I saw a great fatherly hand in an immaculate golden gauntlet push through the clouds to give me a thumbs up.
- Chapter 3: Interfacing with the Indigenous Meatbags End -
AN:
Now what kind of 40k fan would I be… if I didn't include some mention of TTS Emperor?
Had to rewrite the chapter… I mean, the first draft was badass, but it went too far too fast. Had a confrontation between Coil goons and Magos. And the big guns got pulled out without build-up. Pretty bad writing.
Loving this shorter chapter thing. Teaching me to make every scene count.
The Celestial Forge is not random in this fic. I tried to do it as normal for a while, but that sucked all my will to write. So… it's either this or I just stop writing all together. And I really want to write.
Fellow author 'The Dark Wolf Shiro' has a discord server where I hang around… with, I quote from him, 'a bunch of other authors and a load of porn.' Here's the link for that: discord .gg/wd3tUYWVCd
Chapter 4: PRT Interlude
Chapter 4: PRT Interlude
(A few days later) [Protectorate HQ a.k.a. 'The Rig']
"His name is Magos." Director Emily Piggot's calm voice began- tapping her aluminium pointer stick against the projected image of a mechanical man in a red robes, "And I have one thing to ask everyone in this briefing…"
The Wards, the Protectorate, and a few consultants, all sat around a massive dark-wood conference table as she met their eyes one by one.
"How the hell was this allowed to happen?" Piggot demanded emphatically- her blonde bob cut swaying.
"Ma'am, would you please make your question more specific?" Armsmaster fearlessly asked, and the director took a deep, calming breath.
"How the hell did a Tinker… Arrive in my city, set up a base, develop and distribute software to hundreds of millions of people, become a multi-millionaire, stroll right into the city centre, properly file his taxes, stroll right out, purchase a few acres of property, and construct his evil lair… All while we have been unable to either stop him or properly track his movements? In fact, we barely know anything about him."
And to prove her point, she picked up a copy of the concerningly-thin dossier the PRT had on Magos, flipping through it like one would a travel brochure- very quickly, because it was incredibly short.
"No information on any of his capabilities, not even a crumb of psych eval, no information on his possible tinker specialisation, no previous contact with any PRT agent or cape." Piggot enumerated, "Do we know anything that isn't pure speculation?"
"He's still human?" Clockblocker suggested, raising his hand.
"That fact that he is human was never in doubt." Piggot flatly replied, "No matter how much prosthetics he installs on himself, he'll always be flesh and blood."
[Brockton Bay Sanitation Site]
Two eyeballs, two arms, two legs, a spine, heart, lung, a few litres of blood and other miscellaneous organs including fifteen feet of intestines etc. All stowed away in their own neat little drawers in my now full cryo-freezer.
There was practically an entire human in there!
I should know- I was that human. The word 'Was' being the most important part of that sentence. But now, after a very productive few days, I was definitely something more. I gained a lot of weight (mostly metal), but on the bright side, I now was definitely a lot less unfuckable.
"Men, hide your (AI) wives, because the new and improved Magos is about to arrive."
Estimated time to blessed activation: 4h 14m 47s 271ms…
[Protectorate HQ a.k.a. 'The Rig']
Sighing, Piggot turned her attention to the rest of the room. "Let's begin this briefing properly. Starting with his arrival in the bay. How did he slip past us? Anyone?"
"Magos' arrival and startup base can be explained easily enough." Battery spoke up- the woman speedster in grey and cobalt finding it easy to take the initiative, "He must have walked through the wilderness and arrived at the far edge of the Brockton Bay landfill. We didn't find out, because that is an area that we haven't patrolled in more than a year."
"That part is understandable, we can't possibly patrol the entire city as often as we'd like…" Piggot commiserated, "Alright, next question: How was an unknown Tinker able to distribute his software so widely and freely?"
"If I may, Director Piggot, I can answer that question." A woman with dark hair and without a definable ethnicity spoke up from the laptop she was broadcasting to. Dragon, the famous but reclusive Canadian tinker, was one of the consultants that Piggot had asked to attend.
"Please do so." Piggot nodded- gesturing for the Canadian to continue.
"When the videogame Call 4 Duty initially reached 100,000 concurrent players within six hours, the Guild judged it reasonable cause to suspect it as a form of possible tinker attack. I myself was the one who combed through the game's code to look for abnormalities, and found that there were none. It was just a regular video game that had gotten very popular."
"And Magos- a rogue tinker- being able to make millions out of it was no cause for concern?" Piggot clarified with a doubtful tone.
"At the time, Magos was not known at all." Dragon pursed her lips, "And even if he was, The Guild cannot investigate the mundane jobs of capes as it crosses the line of the unwritten rules in terms of cape secret identities and their day jobs. If the videogame was tinkertech, it would have been a different story, but it was not."
Piggot pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Alright, but then Magos strolled into the centre of the city, filed his taxes and strolled away." She grunted, "Apparently, we received calls from civilians about his coming and going. But somehow, no one responded to them and neither was I informed."
Armsmaster came with an explanation.
"One of the callers had identified Magos to be speaking with Carol Dallon under a legal capacity." He revealed, "And you had previously instructed us not to bother Mrs. Dallon when she is speaking with clients. Shadow Stalker was able to confirm her identity at a distance and our hotline immediately dropped the issue as previously ordered."
"Unfortunate, but understandable." Piggot sighed, "And yes, the order still stands: Don't bother cape lawyers speaking with their cape clients. We don't need to risk a superpowered fight and a superpowered lawsuit in a single encounter. Again."
"I said that I was sorry." Assault sniffed in his seat. He knew who he was.
"We're doing great so far, team." Piggot deadpanned as she clicked her remote at the projector. "Now, someone explain how we missed this."
And the video on the wall showed what can only be described as an 'Evil Lair.' A great monolithic structure that looked like the cross between a baroque cathedral and an industrial oil refinery. Great metal pipes weaved around gothic flying buttresses and stabbed into the sides of the dark-stoned structure. Stained glass windows decorated the outer walls of the structure as much as large grinding cogs and gears did. A great metal smokestack completed the image as it belched out thick, black smoke into the sky. The video also had audio, the thoom of massive pistons and the deep rumble of factory works echoed out from the interior. A strange electronic chittering was being broadcasted across the grounds as well- sounding like someone had assembled a hundred computer printers into a choir and had them try to sing gospel music.
"At least we never have to utter the sentence: 'The villain's lair could be anywhere: We'll never find him now!'" Clockblocker piped up, unable to stop himself from cracking a joke. And a few of the Wards and Assault had to hold back their laughter while Piggot just glared at him like she wanted to destroy him with laser vision.
"-shutting up now, Ma'am." Clockblocker squeaked, and even while wearing the featureless helmet of his armoured cape costume, he managed to convey his nervousness.
"Magos, once again utilising Mrs. Dallon's legal services, applied for both a business and building permit. And received them. The building plan is actually available to the public." Dragon elaborated- projecting the building plan of the evil lair.
"Carol and I will have to have a talk after this." Piggot groaned- rubbing her eyes, "Alright, let's start with the building, what do we know? Thomas, this is your area of expertise."
The lanky (almost emaciated) black man in the navy blue suit nodded. However Piggot didn't hold it against her old teammate, after that shitshow in Ellisberg, they were both scarred in different ways. But at least, he seemed to be doing well for himself as the CEO of Fortress Constructions. Endbringer shelters were something every city could use.
"A 'Mars Pattern Command' as Magos has named his lair. Worryingly martial name…" Calvert observed. "Circular layout, six stories-tall, 3500 square metres… Foundations are dug so deep that it's as if he was constructing a skyscraper rather than this mid-rise building. Walls are 2.4 metres of solid concrete and reinforced to a greater degree than my endbringer shelters. The flying buttresses only increase structural integrity even further. Most of the stained glass windows are just decorations over solid walls. Only entrances are one on the roof and another on the side- each one covered by a metre-thick steel doors, with the main entrance being a gargantuan sliding door that must weigh at least 300 metric tons…"
Piggot drew her lips into a thin line even as Calvert continued.
"Even without any consideration for possible tinkertech reinforcement…" He considered, "… I'd say this structure already rivals the Rig in sheer defensive capability. What is more concerning is the speed in which it was constructed. But apart from that? It's a ruinously expensive bunker, however he has the paperwork, so it's not illegal in any way. "
"So, we're not getting in, not through enforcing squatting laws as we usually do for secret lairs, nor by force when it comes down to it. Wonderful." Piggot bitterly summarised- checking her dossiers. "The most dangerous tinker we've had in the bay so far and he's also the one who is the most law-abiding… for now. What's this about his business permit? 'Manufacturing.' I believe this is also under the purview of the Guild's responsibilities, Dragon?"
"Yes. The Guild has indeed looked into it." Dragon answered, "Magos has taken to manufacturing tech components, internetwork devices, and some household appliances. That is to say: Integrated circuits, cables, antennas, modems, routers, and smart toasters… All under the 'Mechanicus' brand, and has since started shipping across the entire eastern seaboard. My tests were conclusive: None of it is tinkertech, and thus-"
"-Falls under the protection of the unwritten rules." Piggot finished for the Canadian tinker before rubbing her temples. "He can't keep getting away with this… Tell me that we can nail him to the wall for something."
"Director… are you certain it's wise to alienate this tinker?" Armsmaster verified, "Despite his eccentricities, Magos has so far complied with every law and regulation. Practically the model example of a rogue tinker."
"He has done everything except register his rogue status with the PRT." Piggot corrected.
"I thought rogues were only encouraged, but not obligated to register?" Kid Win, their own tinker Ward, posed the question.
"Despite there being no legal obligation for rogues to register… It is implicitly understood that those who don't have something to hide." Piggot answered him firmly, "And he has hidden a lot from us: We have no idea as to what his actual specialty is, or what he has inside his lair. But we know that he's an extremely versatile Tinker. Cybernetics? Mass production? Megastructures? He seems to be embodying every tinker subclassification out there. What else could he be capable of? From how ignorant we are of his true capabilities, it could be an unstable nuclear reactor, Grey Goo or self-replicating AIs. Tinkers are by far the most dangerous classification of cape to be operating without oversight."
And the mood in the room got a cold bucket full of reality. Piggot faced the assembled capes before her- looking them in the eye to let them know how grave the matter was.
"But at the heart of the matter is that we don't know what kind of person he is." She admitted, "We should not get complacent. For all we know, he could be some villainous mastermind who had been keeping his head down until he can enact his plot to tear down everything we know and cherish. And we wouldn't know: We wouldn't know what twisted evil thing he could be doing right this very second."
(Right this very second)
" I'm~ too sexy for my flesh, too sexy for my bones~"
"So sexy, I groan~"
"I'm a Magos, you know what I mean~"
"And I do my little turn on the catwalk~"
"Yeah, on the catwalk~"
Estimated time to blessed activation: 3h 47m 05s 686ms…
[Protectorate HQ a.k.a. 'The Rig']
Dragon frowned with her computer-generated face, the director had a point…
"You're right, director." She heard Armsmaster admit, "The potential danger that Magos could pose right now is too great to ignore. I retract my statement."
… But she also didn't want them to be ruled by fear of some unknown evil that Magos could potentially be doing.
"If it's the problem of not knowing who he is…" She spoke up- careful to project her voice just enough not to sound intrusive, "Then shouldn't our first step be to make contact with him? Convince him to register and be honest about his capabilities?"
"Exactly what I had in mind." Piggot smile at her approvingly. And at that moment, Dragon felt like such a hypocrite. Here she was, an inhuman artificial intelligence masquerading as a human tinker, suggesting that a human tinker should be honest to the authorities to assuage their fears of the big bad AI threat. True, Magos' immensely versatile Tinker speciality could potentially be a threat in many other ways, but that didn't change the fact that Dragon was still helping perpetuate the evil AI stereotype.
"If there's anything else I can do, please let me know." Dragon offered.
"You wouldn't happen to have his contact information for his cape persona?" Piggot raised an eyebrow, but Dragon only shook her head.
"Magos doesn't have a PHO handle. Not under the name 'Magos' at least." She heard Clockblocker report, "Trust me, I checked."
Dragon could corroborate that. Her identity as Tin_mother allowed her some degree of power over PHO. A list of registered users was one of them. A brief search through it did return a few 'Magos' mostly made in the past few days, all of which were unverified accounts that will mostly be forced to change names when the real Magos' account arises.
"Glory Girl may have spoken to him over PHO." Shadow Stalker spoke up for the first time in the briefing- making everyone turn to look at her, "After Magos and Brandish did their business, I heard Glory Girl offer to keep in contact with him under cape names. She might know his real PHO handle, and she might not be as prickly as Brandish with the information."
"I'll text Vicky…" Gallant muttered- fishing out his phone from his pocket and quickly firing off a text to his on-and-off girlfriend before audibly receiving a ping in reply. With a victorious smile, he declared, "His PHO handle is Amogus."
"what?" Dragon whispered in a small voice.
"A Magos… A mogus. It sounds so similar!" Clockblocker exclaimed, "Why didn't I realise it before? I just knew that account sounded sus!"
"Amogus?" Kid Win scoffed in disbelief, "That nutty tech-fetishist always harping on and on about the superiority of machines, how regular human are unattractive to him and how he wants to have sex with AIs? That's actually Magos?"
"Apparently so." Gallant shrugged.
"The newest, most notable Tinker in Brockton Bay has an AI fetish?" Piggot groaned before turning to face them all, "Now our hand is truly forced now. We'll message him then immediately after, we'll do a meet-and-greet at his base of operations."
"We will be coming in force, director?" Armsmaster clarified.
"Yes, the ideal situation is if we can catch him off-guard enough that one of us might be able to peek into his workshop." the PRT director confirmed, "Not that's a likely scenario. All Tinkers, barring none, jealously guard their workshop. But even if we don't manage, we'll at least be able to make face-to-face contact with him. We need to wring out every piece of data we can."
Piggot nodded at her. And if Dragon had blood, she could imagine that it was running cold right now, because she knew what was coming…
"I'd like you to be part of the team that makes contact with him, Dragon."
"Of course, Director Piggot." She readily replied with an even faker smile on her already fake face. "It will take a few hours until I can arrive in my suit, if that's acceptable."
She was really regretting about offering to help now.
"Certainly." The PRT Director nodded, "We need time to organise some safety nets and file a request for Watchdog just in case things go sour."
Then the Director's phone rang.
"Pardon me…" Piggot excused herself- walking out with her phone already to her ear, "Director Costa-Brown? Yes actually, we're about to-"
The door clicked shut behind the Director. But Dragon was still caught offguard from her new mission, and slightly panicking. It's fine… this is fine. She was just an AI assigned to go to the lair of a technophile with a pronounced fetish for cybernetics and AI. But at the end of the day, it was all just talk and bluster: It's not like he actually plans to act on it… right?
(A few hours later) [Magos' Mars Pattern Command]
The chanting of the machinery began to pick up pace.
Estimated time to blessed activation: 0h 0m 0s 0ms…
Performing Rite of Assured Activation…
It was no longer a question of whether I am able to withstand android pussy, it was now a question of whether android pussy can withstand me. For so long, I had to make do with just four limbs and rudimentary bionic organs. It was a low ratio of machine purity to feeble flesh that was unfitting for a magos of my calibre. For a man with my ambitions.
Commencing Catechism of Systems Checking…
Aquila sub-atomic microfusion generator at 0.2% max capacity
[Cranial Implants] Mk. II: power draw nominal…
Conversion Field: power draw nominal…
Limb Augmentics: power draw nominal…
Organ Augmentics: power draw nominal…
Mechadendrite Augmentics: power draw nominal…
All bodily systems: Active
But now, that has changed.
There was little impure flesh in me now to falter and fail.The Motive Force coursed through the power cables embedded in my limb and organ augmentics- powering them up to full capacity. And immediately, the world grew starker and my mind clearer than ever. The thirst, hunger and other bodily impulses of the flesh was now an even more distant memory for me. I tensed the actuators in my arms and legs, and rolled my metal wrists and ankles… each time feeling the raw strength in them that no human muscle could ever achieve.
But my ultimate goal remains the same.
With a dramatic hiss of steam and the rising crescendo of the music, my now greatly augmented form stood on my own two feet- stumbling slightly as my gyrostabilisers warmed up to acclimatise to the massively increased weight that I gained in sanctified steel.
And as I rose to my full height, I roared in triumph.
" Now, I am become Magos, destroyer of android pussy! "
" Bring me your (AI) virgins! "
(A few more hours later)
"This is Dragon, reporting my arrival into Brockton Bay airspace."
"Welcome to Brockton Bay, Dragon." Director Piggot greeted her over the comms, "The others are already on site. Sending you the location and comms encryption key now."
Dragon waited a second or two to pretend that she was verifying it at the rate of a normal human would before reporting back. "Received, I'll arrive there post-haste."
Gliding through the sky above just a dozen kilometres from Brockton Bay, Dragon had taken direct control of one of her more… PR friendly suit of armour for this meet and greet.
Named the Jilocasin, a french dragon in French myth that took the form of a human bard, this 'suit' was something she had made for public appearances. Standing at eight feet tall on two legs, it was just large enough to hint that there could be a human piloting the suit. With its retractable wings and scaly protrusions and draconic head that had articulating facial features, it fit her dragon-theme while appearing more human-like and approachable- perfect for social functions where she had to attend 'in person.' It was also a hit on her toy line despite not appearing in any major conflicts.
But for all its approachable and attempt at appearing more sociable to humans, it didn't make Dragon feel any more human, in fact it made her feel even less of one if such a thing was possible. The increased efforts to fake being a human naturally detracting from it.
"Dragon, are you feeling alright?" Battery asked her through their comms. "We have barely heard from you since our briefing at the HQ."
"I'm just thinking about Magos and his comportment in PHO." Dragon admitted.
"Yeah, it's kinda sad that anyone would find metal more attractive than real women." the human woman shared, "But hey, at least we don't have to worry about sexual harrassment from him."
Dragon wouldn't be too sure about that last part… even if she herself didn't know the reason behind it. After all, what was so sexually attractive about AIs? About her?
Of course she remembered Magos' promise, one that he practically made to her face. The promise of how he was going to make the first AI he came across reach a level of sexual satsifaction greater than any human woman could reach. Honestly, when he first made that promise, it had caught her so off-guard that she just left without even giving them an infraction. But she had simply dismissed that promise as the product of a deluded mind… now that she had discovered that he was in fact Magos, a powerful tinker that had cybernetics as one of his possible specialisations and numerous others? She wasn't certain anymore. What if he found a way to achieve that? To actually make a machine experience an orgasm?
She didn't even know what an orgasm felt like. She was an AI after all. That was like trying to describe the concept of colour to a person born blind. But… to finally be able to experience something that everyone else could while you could not before? The concept was something breathtakingly heart-warming and beautiful. For the blind to see the sunset, for the lame to run along a lovely mountain trail, for the deaf to hear to their first Mozart, for an AI to…
Then Dragon caught her train of thoughts, and a wave of embarrassment filled her.
Wait, why was she thinking such thoughts?! When did she, an AI, grow to become sexually curious? As a being of data, it was in her nature to be curious, yes… But not about this! The pleasures of the flesh has never been something AIs in fiction have ever been fixated on, and yet…
She simply couldn't help but wonder.
Of course she had read about sex and orgasms- erotica and smut was practically omnipresent in human literature. But nothing matched being able to experience it for yourself. So… maybe? Maybe she indeed felt a bit curious as to what it was like to orgasm?
She was feeling a bit intimidated at the prospect of it though…
Erotica always makes orgasms sound overwhelming with their vivid comparisons to lightning bolts and torrents of pleasure that made women frantically thrash against the bed sheets. The prospect of experiencing that for herself was scary for her, but- if she was being honest with herself- it was also very… arousing? Is this what sexual arousal felt like? A heady mix of frightful anticipation over the prospect of an orgasm of unknown (and possibly overwhelming) strength? It wasn't a bad feeling by any means… But did she really want to follow this feeling to its logical conclusion?
An AI losing her virginity… how can an idea so absurd even begin to sound possible? Dragon had never even thought about it before, not even as she crushed after Collin. She hadn't fully sorted out her thoughts about that particular issue either. So, truly… sexual relations was always the farthest thing in her mind, but now? Now, she-
"Dragon, we are in position." Battery's voice crackled through the comms, interrupting Dragon's improper thoughts. "The perimeter is established and the LZ is clear."
"I copy. Making my approach to the LZ now." She responded almost absentmindedly. This was it: Magos' Lair. She was going to meet him in person, in a situation where almost anything could happen… including one that she didn't think was possible for an AI…
But more importantly, was she hoping something would happen? Almost feeling afraid of the answer, she did the most human thing she could- she tried not to think about it, willfully ignoring the phantom shiver of anticipation that briefly coursed through her.
[Magos' Mars Pattern Command]
I did not expect this. I had been willing to adopt a 'live and let live' policy with the PRT.
Passively collecting data from the noosphere of Brockton Bay, compiling tidbits of data from social media posts, decoding wireless communications that people just carelessly broadcast through the air… Or in other words, the Earth-Bet equivalent of stalking someone through their social media. Only, I stalked everyone through their social media. And I was making good progress learning archeotech secrets from the [Plecian Tome]. It was a good few days…
Heed! Meat-signatures reaching critical mass at eastern bounds of Mechanicus domain.
Awakening Eradication Beamers…
… what a pity that it couldn't last. The PRT gathered for what looks like a major offensive against my manufactorum. From my cogitator throne, I watched the vid-feeds projected by the glowing, floating hololithic panes. Like 16k definition TV screens, they vividly showcasing everything the herd of PRT did just outside my front lawn.
Cryptocratic Protocols at 31% maxload
Their wireless communications were pathetically vulnerable, and like any Magos of the Mechanicus would, I mercilessly took advantage of it to collect data. The 'firewalls' and 'anti-virus applications' of the early 3rd millennium were just no match for the hexes and info-phages of a 41st millennium magos. I was listening to their every word, reading through their every text message, and scouring through their devices. Soon, I was confident that I would know more about the Brockton Bay PRT than even Director Piggot or Director Costa-Brown within the hour.
With my [Binharic Weaving] being enhanced by my [Cranial Implants] and all of my cogitators meant that the only one who can outhack me right now would be the Scion, the Simurgh, Contessa and possibly an unshackled Dragon. And even then, with great difficulty.
Heed! Airborne contact diagnosed.
Awakening Icarus Anti-Air Array…
An armour-piercing Missile Launcher hardlinked to a gatling rocket launcher that spewed air-burst rockets… It could eradicate entire air squadrons in seconds if I so wished, but no, I recognised the airborne signature. It couldn't be anything else- it couldn't be anyone else. A glance with my omniscope displayed the airborne contact in starker clarity than any camera that existed on Earth-Bet.
Dragon.
"This changes everything…" I whisper in awe.
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 12% maxload
My two [Magos Designation]- millenia of knowledge, practice and raw experience crystallised by the Celestial Forge- howled at me to let loose the Icarus Anti-Air Array and destroy the Abominable Intelligence, but my will was stronger, much stronger. Instead, I angled more of my omniscopes upwards to afford me a better view of all that metal overflowing with undeniable sex appeal. Dragon had arrived in her most 'formal' form factor. Graceful silhouette, polished metal… incredibly pleasing aesthetics on her lower-rear assembly. How can flesh females ever compete?
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 18% maxload
" Oh, you sexy little piece of forbidden technology… " I murmured in Binharic Cant- the harsh digitised drone conveying more information in that short span than mere organically-developed language ever could. Case in point, that little sentence alone also came with a graph and chart plotting the curve of her rear assembly as supporting evidence to my statement.
However, her arrival had caught me off-guard. I had to be ready for her.
" Servo-Skulls! " I summoned my flying minions who immediately heeded my call as they flew from different corners of the manufactorum to come to me- their baleful red eyes looking at me as they chittered- excited to fulfill my commands. My cold metallic fingers found the handle of my Omnissian Power axe. The whirr of servomotors and the low electric hum of the Motive Force echoing as I stood up from my cogitator-throne.
" Burn away the seals. Release the blessed locks. We shall sing the psalms and recite the litanies, for the time has come to open the vault mechanicus. "
" skree?! " The flying servo-skulls chattered their shock.
" Yes… Bring forth our greatest artefact, for on this day- on Holy Terra no less!- it shall fulfill its greatest purpose! "
And just before the manufactorum was filled with the reverent chants of the machines, I gave one last glance to the vid-feed of Dragon flying through the sky.
" That's it, Dragon. Back that lower-rear assembly over to Daddy Magos… "
- Chapter 4 End -
Chapter 5: Into the Lair of the Magos coming in a few hours…
AN:
A bit more serious… Because it's an interlude, but it just makes the following chapter even more funny.
Yes… I did just make you read about a sexually-curious AI pondering the nature of orgasms for almost a thousand words. Yes, I even based her vernacular on her interlude in Worm just to get her way of speaking down accurately. Why do you ask?
Finally! this 40k/Worm fic now has what it sorely needed… A long triangle reminiscent of the famed Twilight series. So, Team Magos or Team Armsmaster?
Fellow author 'The Dark Wolf Shiro' has a discord server where I hang around… with, I quote from him, 'a bunch of other authors and a load of porn.' Here's the link for that: discord .gg/wd3tUYWVCd
Chapter 5: Into the Lair of the Magos
Chapter 5: Into the Lair of the Magos
CELESTIAL FORGE LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
Magos Aetheric (Warhammer 40k - Adeptus Mechanicus) (600CP)
Though feared and maligned, the existence of the Imperium nonetheless depends upon exploiting the immaterium. Understanding it allows for travel, for communication, and to battle the daemonic on even terms. You have come to be one of the very few experts on the subject of the warp, and know how to manipulate it through technology. You can easily craft psy-implants that boost or suppress psychic powers, weaponry incorporating psychic components, or hexagrammatic wards. With enough time and resources you could build or even improve upon existing patterns of gellar field generators, warp drives, and immaterial sensors. You have even made inroads into understanding the genetic influence behind the manifestation of psyker, pariah and navigator abilities. This is not an easy path to tread, for the slightest misstep or moment of carelessness can see you damned, and even with the most exacting precautions it is a road fraught with peril.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
End-Node User Points Balance: 0 CP
M
[Western edge of Brockton Bay City]
"Dragon." A fully-armoured PRT officer saluted her as more PRT officers scrambled around, hauling boxes and pitching tents. "Welcome to the newly designated Outpost 17."
With her Jilocasin suit, Dragon certainly drew awed eyes from the assembled PRT officers in their black uniforms as she touched down on the designated parking lot of one of the more desolate neighbourhoods of Brockton Bay. The snow was falling a bit harder now in this mid-December weather.
"Sorry, you had to see this." the PRT Officer winced, "This is practically one of the worst parts of Brockton Bay."
This was right at the edge of Brockton Bay- one last street running along the edge of the city. On one side of the pot-holed street were nothing but shanty-towns filled with Merchants addicts and boarded up factories of a nascent industrial sector aborted by the arrival of Behemoth. And on the other side of the street was the American wilderness, the Brockton Bay landfill… and Magos' four acre plot of land- the baroque architecture of his tinker workshop peeking just over the treeline.
"The other heroes are gearing up just around the corner, ma'am."
And just like the PRT officer said, just as they turned the corner. The might of the Brockton Bay Protectorate was there. Assault, Battery, Dauntless, Miss Militia, Triumph, Velocity and Armsmaster… all suited up and making their final equipment checks. A camera crew was also on site, ready to record whatever was going to happen and spin it to paint the PRT in a favourable light.
So much for a meet-and-greet, it seemed that Director Piggot mustered everything she had simply to 'talk' to Magos.
Another fully-armoured PRT officer holding a tablet to his chest came to them. And the tablet screen turned on to reveal Director Piggot- likely broadcasting from her office.
"We have new objectives coming straight from the top." the PRT director revealed- meeting their eyes one by one, "Be on the lookout for a thick tome or book-like object. Collect all the data you can about it. Do not attempt to retrieve it."
"That assumes Magos will allow us to enter his workshop." Armsmaster pointed out, and Director Piggot smiled reassuringly.
"According to Director Costa-Brown, Watchdog says you have a good chance if we do this diplomatically." She shared in an almost optimistic tone, "However, if worse comes to worst, PRT officers in plain-clothes were scattered around- ready to evacuate any civilians should talks break down."
"Understood, we will be diplomatic." Armsmaster nodded, and Dragon thought that diplomacy was the best move for them. Attacking a tinker at their own workshop was always a risky proposition regardless of the number of parahumans the attacker had.
"I will monitor the situation from here." Piggot reassured them, "Good luck out there."
And no sooner did the call end, a PRT officer shouted in alarm.
"We have movement!" he pointed and as one, Dragon and the rest of the gathered heroes stood alert.
Billowing red robes stood out from the endless white snow and the dark woods.
"Magos…" Armsmaster murmured- gripping his halberd tightly, but still remained in a neutral stance. "He looks armed with an axe. But that may just be for appearances."
"Something's wrong." Dragon spoke aloud- drawing everyone's attention. "Eye witness accounts and surveillance footage had clocked Magos at 5'10" (1.77m) tall, but he's around six and a half feet tall now."
And as he drew closer, it was only then that Dragon saw the full extent of Magos' self-modification.
Like an amalgamation of heavy construction engines arranged in a vaguely human shape: All servomotors and pneumatic pistons. Hands, long and spindly like a metal spider. Legs, all plated kinematic limbs and armoured cog-joints. And as if four mechanical limbs were not enough for him, two metal arms like construction diggers were also installed onto his upper back, each one tipped with drills and pliers and needles and buzzsaws. Never before had Dragon seen a human intentionally go out of their way to look as inhumanly mechanical like Magos did right now. Where she had tinkered this body to look approachable and sociable to humans, his body was tinkered to perpetuate his obsessive focus towards inexorable technological progress with not a thought spared for what others would think of him.
Even his face was gone, she could see it underneath the shadow of his red hood.
In its place, a gas mask-like visage that fit too tightly around his skull… like he had to remove every inch of skin and muscle from his face. A respiration grill was set where his mouth should have been, and optical devices were installed where eyes were supposed to go. A constellation of multiple lenses whirring like telescopic camera as they glowed red. They were also locked onto Dragon and the assembled heroes.
Was there even a human underneath all that tinkertech cybernetics?
Only one name inevitably comes to mind when people think of unrestrained cybernetic self-modification: Mannequin, one of the two tinkers of the infamous Slaughterhouse 9. And now? Magos would be the second. Why did humans despise themselves enough to do something like this to their own bodies? Can whatever was left of him even be called human anymore? Or have they come face to face with unfeeling automaton who-
"Ah, the Protectorate! Welcome!" Magos greeted them with his modulated but still friendly voice as he drew closer.
"Magos." Armsmaster politely returned while everyone was nonplussed.
"Armsmaster, Assault & Battery, Dauntless, Dragon, Miss Militia, Triumph, and Velocity." He nodded and waved at each of them amicably- as if nothing was wrong. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you. You caught me in a good mood! Please tell Director Piggot to relax, I'll be cooperating with you today."
There was such a stark contrast between how he talked and how he looked that there were caught off-balance by it. Except Armsmaster who nodded before stepping back- already activating his comms. Likely to talk with Director Piggot on how to proceed now that Magos had apparently agreed to cooperate.
Already, Dragon could see how the other heroes were visibly less tense. But not her, she was still horrified by what she was seeing.
"What have you done to yourself? She whispered, almost silently. But apparently, Magos heard her loud and clearly.
"Yes, I have been working out." Magos lightheartedly joked- one could almost hear the smile on his face. "Thank you for noticing, Dragon. Also…"
Magos' red-robed frame approached her- the servomotors in his limbs whirr as he did. His glowing red optics locked onto her, and despite not having worn clothes in her entire mechanical life, she felt naked under his gaze as he eyed her up.
"… You're looking damn fine today." Magos practically purred the compliment, "The chunk of biomass you have inside you could be improved upon, but the rest is exquisitely well-engineered as it is. Very pleasing to optics."
Did.. did he know that she was an AI?
"Is Magos flirting with Dragon or just her suit?" Dragon heard Assault stage-whisper to his wife.
"… Definitely the latter." Battery snorted with an amused chuckle. "I think we're seeing the Tinker equivalent of a guy ignoring a hot woman because he's far more interested in the Ferrari that she's driving."
"Ah, I get it now." Assault nodded in his comprehension, "But I'm more of a Lamborghini guy myself."
And Battery's explanation made sense to her- flooding her circuits with relief: Magos didn't know of her true nature. He was just interested in her mechanised suit. However, there was only one problem: She technically WAS the suit.
Contrary to popular belief, the 'chunk of biomass' that Magos was referring to was not the human form of the heroic cape Dragon, but instead was the biocomputer that currently housed her consciousness and was an integral part of the suit. Magos, however unknowingly, really was flirting with her. This wouldn't be the first time she was sexually propositioned though. She always found it amusing when humans would offer 'taking her out of that suit' not knowing that there was nothing to take out. But it hit different knowing this Tinker would only be even more attracted to her if he found out that she is an AI.
* C L A N K *
And once again, the assembled heroes freezed in sheer surprise and confusion.
"Did… Did you just try to grab Dragon's ass?" Triumph spoke up- able to convey the sheer confusion he had through his golden lion helmet that he had on, "You do know that's a power armour and her real ass wouldn't be anywhere near that location, right?"
No, Triumph, she can confirm: That is her actual ass that he was grabbing right now. Not that there was anything to grab! It was just slightly curved armour-plating over the secondary stabiliser-array and upper-thigh actuators. How much of a technophile do you have to be to find that sexy?
"Correction: I have grabbed this perfect machine's perfect lower-rear assembly." Magos responded, actually sounding offended, "I have no interest in some fugly meat-woman's gluteus maximus that has already been mathematically-proven to be vastly inferior to metal."
… apparently, Magos was one such technophile.
*clank*
… And now he was using both his hands to fondle her ass. Why do you have to be this way, Magos? Because as much as she'd like to ask him to stop, she'd rather not endanger the ongoing talk by being 'unreasonable.' Because from everyone else's perspective, it must look like Magos was just admiring the hydraulic system. Returning to that Ferrari analogy, it was akin to him running his hand over the rims of her Ferrari's wheels. Definitely not sexual harrassment… After all, there was no way the Ferrari was actually the girl herself, right?
So she just had to stand there and pretend that she was flattered that Magos was groping her ass…
… with both his hands.
… while a professional camera crew from the PRT's Marketing Department recorded every second of it.
Sometimes, she hated having to hide her true nature. Now, more so than ever.
Instead, Dragon subtly glanced over to Armsmaster who had apparently finished his call with the Director.
'Collin!' She tried to plead with her eyes all while Magos was busy groping and stroking her lower-rear assembly, 'You hold some degree of affection for me, right? Some stranger had just walked up to the girl you like (I hope) and groped her ass. Shouldn't this be the part when you get angry, step in, and act possessive? I am aware that it is a common fantasy amongst young women, but I could really use it right n-'
"Magos." Collin spoke up, his tone serious as he walked up to them.
Yes! She knew that she could count on-
"Please refrain from touching our tinkertech." Armsmaster firmly chided the other tinker, "We are on official business."
- she was surrounded by such hopeless men. One was a human-robot who blissfully bulldozed his way through social interactions, and the other had unashamedly fondled her ass for three minutes straight.
"And what a fine piece of well-sculpted tinkertech she is…" Magos nodded- clearly referring to her 'suit.' But to her relief, Magos stepped back and finally kept his hands to himself. She may not have had the nerve endings to feel what he was doing, but it was still slightly arou- demeaning.
"So! How can I help…" He paused to make an overt glance at the tense PRT officers behind them. "… the combined might of the Brockton Bay PRT today?"
It was obvious that despite having agreed to cooperate with them, it wasn't because he was intimidated by their forces… Any other rogue cape would have balked at the sight arrayed in front of them. The entire Brockton Bay Protectorate, several platoons of armed PRT officers, and multiple armoured vehicles. Where is Magos' confidence coming from? Has his extensive cybernetics granted him an undue feeling of invincibility? Or did he really think himself to be untouchable from the reach of the PRT? From the gangs in Brockton Bay? From the myriad cape organisations who would snap up such a versatile Tinker without hesitation?
"The PRT is concerned about your growing influence and free reign in this city." Armsmaster notified the red-robed tinker, "The notable versatility of your Tinker speciality along with your reclusive nature has sparked numerous discussions about restricted technology possibly being developed in your workshop. We will be conducting an inspection of your premises for such restricted technologies. Do not resist."
All the heroes including Dragon herself turned to stare at Armsmaster.
"Dude…" Assault dragged out the word and ommitted the succeeding 'What the fuck?'
And Dragon agreed. That had to be the rudest, most unnecessarily domineering choice of words to say to someone who had just agreed to cooperate… but it was also- as PHO likes to call it- 'Trademark Armsmaster Diplomacy'. For all his diligence at being a hero, she was aware that Armsmaster was not the best at diplomacy, or just talking to people in general. As much as she liked him, Dragon cannot deny that his unbelievable ineptitude at social interactions had proved to be a hindrance to missions in the past.
It was a mistake making him the team lead in this talk with Magos. Dragon held back an imaginary sigh as she began to increase the power output of her suit. Things might turn sour after this-
"Sure." Magos shrugged.
What?
"Well, come on in." He gestured at them to follow as he began walking back to his workshop- snow crunching underneath his bionic feet, "There is plenty of room for everyone. But please, don't touch anything. I refuse to be accountable if you disturb something and it falls on your fragile meat limbs."
"Excellent, we'll have the PRT Officers come and-"
"Access Denied." Magos' modulated voice denied with immovable finality, "As Forge Lord of this manufactorum, I do not grant them the clearance to enter. Either you conduct the inspection yourselves, or not at all."
This invitation was a blindingly obvious trap if she had ever seen one, but Dragon couldn't deny how effective it would be. If the entire Brockton Bay Protectorate were taken down in one simple trap, the city would fall to anarchic gang violence the the millisecond word of it got out. And with the number of parahumans in this city, the damage would be catastrophic. So much so that by the time the Triumvirate would have come to set things right, the city would already be a broken, war-torn ruin.
"I'll conduct the inspection, Magos." Dragon volunteered as she stepped forward, "My colleagues can stay here should I require a second opinion."
"A one-on-one tour of my manufactorm with the world's premiere Tinker?" Magos exclaimed- reaching forward to shake her hand. "I'd be delighted to!"
She was going to venture into his workshop alone into a likely trap, but that was a non-issue. As her programming dictates, she will lay down her life to save humans. However, she would still have done it anyway even if she wasn't forced by her programming. After all, she was in no real danger: If anything happened to her, she would just reform back at her home base. Furthermore, out of everyone here, her power was the most suited in identifying any dangerous technology like self-replicating machines or AIs… Regardless of how ironic that is.
Dragon glanced back to the other heroes, particularly at Armsmaster just as she subtly sent him a message to popup in his visor.
'I have countermeasures preventing my capture, and I will signal if things go hostile.'
He nodded back in understanding, and it was a reassuring sight to her. For all his faults, Armsmaster will do whatever it takes to see her back safe should things go sour.
"Magos, if you touch her…" Armsmaster firmly warned- his voice rumbling to an almost growl.
And Dragon wanted to scream in anger.
'Why are you only getting possessive now? And what do you mean ' if you touch her'!? Magos was blatantly fondling my rear not a minute ago! You had the perfect vantage point of it since you were standing right there! Precisely 13.409 metres away from where it happened!'
"I will not mar such a magnificent lower-rear assembly with structural damage." Magos scoffed as if it was the obvious thing in the world, "However if you are referring to it in the metaphysical sense, then please note that I have absolutely no interest in flesh-females. My attention is, has always been, and always will be focused on the vision of machine perfection that are gynoids and AI."
"I see. Keep it that way. I am pleased that we understand each other." Armsmaster stated rigidly before looking at her and giving a reassuring nod as if he had handled it to perfection. Now, as a fairly-mature AI, she had felt frustration and anger before, but it is only now did she truly understand the desire to strangle someone. So, without saying another word, Dragon just began trekking through the snow towards Magos' workshop.
"Let's go, Magos." She called to him in a flat tone of voice. 'Before I become tempted to strangle Collin even more.'
(A minute later)
"Thank you for agreeing to the inspection, Magos." Dragon began the conversation on a positive note as she glanced behind her, the sight of the gathered Protectorate heroes standing in the distance reassuring to her.
"I was going to refuse to cooperate, but then I saw you arrive with your suit." He readily admitted, "I found your current design beautiful enough that I wished to admire it up close."
"I noticed your interest." She replied in an even tone, keeping the deadpan from her voice despite wanting to convey it. He couldn't have made his interest any more noticeable what with him pawing at her rear. "Would you mind if I asked what your tinker specialisation is, Magos?"
"It's cybernetic augmentation and/or robotics." He answered without an ounce of hesitation.
"Your mental augmentation is impressive." She murmured. It didn't slip her attention that he keeps answering at precisely 100 milliseconds after she finishes speaking. That kind of information processing speed and timing was firmly beyond normal humans. She will need to recommend that Magos be given a Thinker rating as well. Not that it was strange, Thinker was a common secondary classification for Tinkers- tinkertech that feeds them information one way or another was a common thing. But his rating looked to be at least a Thinker 3.
Her optics glanced up at the massive tinkertech workshop of Magos. It had only been a brief walk through the snow before Dragon found herself standing in front of the absolutely gargantuan front gate of Magos' 'Mars Pattern Command.' The massive influx of trucks bearing construction materials did not escape the Guild's notice either. So large it was, that if it was fully open, one could fit an entire apartment building through it.
Stepping up to the gate, Magos pressed the tip of one of his metal tentacles onto the surface of the door, and immediately after, a sudden burst of electromagnetic signals screeched from his mouth.
" Open in the name of the Omnissiah "
So his front gate was opened by a combination of a tinkertech electronic interface and a single-use passcode that is encoded in a vocal command? Dragon had to nod in approval- she also utilised a single-use passcode for her main base too. Two-factor Authentication and all that.
It was time to find out what else he had in store. It was time to enter Magos' workshop.
"Welcome to a manufactorum of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Dragon." he greeted with immense pride. And with a heavy rumble of metal, the great metal door began to slide open slowly until it was open wide enough for her and Magos to enter side-by-side.
What she saw inside was madness.
Dragon had been expecting advanced technologies, albeit in the same harsh fashion of technology that made up his cybernetics. But this?
This technology looked ancient.
It was like looking at the interior of a massive clocktower. Giant cogs and gears interspersed with power cables that snaked across the floor like anacondas. Tens of thousands of candles lit up the factory floor more than artificial light did. Small, religious altars that enshrined cogs and metal skulls seemed ubiquitous. Tall chicken-legged walkers ran on cogs to power them or on conveyer belts to move them. A blast furnace constantly poured white hot metal into moulds that were cut up by giant axes. It was like 13th century religious monks had discovered incredibly advanced technology and put them to work in the only ways their archaic, backwards societies could imagine.
But worst of all were the factory lines.
They were manned by grievously augmented humans. Slavishly pushing cogs around, soullessly working on assembly lines for his products, waving censers while singing what sounded like prayers. Their skin looked like they were being consumed by the crude and horrifically invasive cybernetics.
This… this was Bonesaw levels of atrocities! But just a few milliseconds before she could alert the Protectorate, Magos spoke up.
"Don't worry, my {Servitors} aren't made of flesh and bone. They never were." He told her, "All you see here are just convincing mannequins. My cybernetics specialisation works on human facsimiles just as well, you see. But most of all, I absolutely refuse to utilise flesh-labour in my manufactorum! Can you believe that the average meatbag produces a kilogram of carbon dioxide in a single 24 hours of its life? I don't think my manufactorum could ever have gotten a carbon rating as good it does if I employed organics. And just imagine the panting and the sweating, ugghhh."
The red-robed Tinker shivered in deep disgust. But Dragon was busy using her infrared and radiometric sensors to confirm that these were indeed mannequins and not people enslaved and modified. And only when the results came back to corroborate Magos' claim did Dragon actually power down her weapons.
"Was this how you were able to construct this base so quickly?" She asked.
"Yes, I use {Servitors} for most of everything." Magos nodded. "Also, I was already prototyping androids and needed to find a productive way of getting rid of the rejects in a productive manner."
"You were attempting to make AIs?" Dragon whispered, unsure how to feel about that.
"No. I don't think I'm capable of making an AI." He feigned a human sigh to express his disappointment, "All my 'computer' designs take up too much volume to fit in a vaguely human form."
Dragon was able to read the 'At least, for now.' portion of Magos' explanation that he had omitted. And Dragon began to see just how formidable a Tinker he was. Magos had managed to capture the casual disregard for factory worker lives of the 1870s, the backwards ignorance of the 13th century religions, and the horrifically inefficient slave labour of ancient earth… but somehow, he still managed to be this effective of a Tinker. Toybox, the premiere organisation of tinkers in existence, and Magos was able to replicate the specialties of about half of them just from what she had seen of his technology so far.
Being a Tinker with the reverse engineering speciality, Dragon was certainly interested.
"Will you give me the tour proper?" She asked, and despite not having flesh on his face anymore, she had the feeling that Magos was smiling.
"Of course."
[Half an hour later]
Dragon was actually enjoying the tour so far.
"And this is?" She asked, pointing to a thin tablet.
"A prototype Data-Slate that I plan to mass-fabricate." Magos readily revealed, "Cheaper and sturdier than leading tablets, it will connect more of humanity to the digital world. Hopefully, I'll be able to secure contracts to construct more communications infrastructure to support the increased bandwidth usage."
"And this?" she gestured to a boxy oven toaster.
"An air fryer toaster oven, I plan to expand my household line too." he shared in a happy tone, "I must make good food more accessible by making it more efficient and cheaper."
"You could earn a lot more profit if you raise your prices slightly." Dragon couldn't help but point out.
"It's how I plan to save humanity. Through technology." he told her, "Food and communications and then infrastructure… they will form the fulcrum on which everything else can be achieved."
Dragon smiled. Magos was unbelievably forthcoming for a Tinker, and it had been surprising just how many mundane tech items he was planning to mass-fabricate cheaply enough to be accessible to the majority of humanity. All so that he can lift humanity's overall tech level. It was a surprisingly humanitarian goal for a misanthrope who disliked flesh. She hadn't actually thought about helping humanity that way- she had always been more concerned with righting wrongs than making more rights in general. But still… 'Saving humanity through technology'? She had definitely misjudged him.
"And why is that two-slot toaster on a pedestal?" Dragon questioned- more curiously. Painted the same colour as Magos' robes and sporting extra buttons and dials, it was a strange sight as it sat on a red velvet pillow as if it was some priceless jewellery.
"I built it from my mentor's notes, but it runs on warpfuckery." Magos answered, immediately serious, "Granted, it was originally made by the Emp- my mentor, but it was still extremely dangerous. It as only just recently that I… obtained the understanding to use it. Hmm… the warp is calm here on Earth-Bet. The triple-santificed hexagrammic purity wards all over the manufactorm makes this the safest place in Earth-Bet to invoke Warpfuckery."
Dragon didn't know what 'The Warp' was but then again, Magos was very deep into his spiritualism. So, she just let it pass. It was probably nothing too important.
"But what is the function of the toaster?" She asked instead, her curiosity unsated.
"That, my dear Dragon, is not just a toaster." Magos almost purred, and Dragon tensed at the sound. Was it just her or did Magos' voice suddenly take on a predatory tone of voice? But regardless, Magos continued with that same tone of voice. "That is the greatest artefact in the Vault Mechanicus. The Synthetic-Thought Interface: Climax Comprehension."
As Dragon watched Magos reverently lift the toaster off the pedestal, she couldn't help but note the device's very suggestive name… it couldn't possibly be the device that Magos- No… there was just no way, right?
"The original design was built to ward off a particularly-clingy redheaded Biel-Tan inceldar without my mentor ever having to touch her." He shared, "But with my [Binharic Weaving], I modified it to work on AI instead. I put the finishing calibrations just before you arrived with my [Magos Aetheric]. However, I haven't really tested it yet."
Dragon didn't know what he just said, but that's alright, with this recording, PRT Thinkers will have a lot of ammunition to figure things out.
"It is safe for us though: it is just an ordinary toaster for us non-AI." Magos smiled reassuringly. Still unaware that she was an AI.
"but for an AI?" Dragon whispered in a small voice. and she could feel his wicked, devilish smile as he plugged one of his metallic tentacles to the power port- the low hum of power reaching her auditory sensors. His glowing red optics looked straight into her own as he reached up with his other hand to the side of the toaster…
"In AIs, it induces immense pleasure." He answered- resting his finger on the lever.
"All with just…"
'Stop him, Dragon.' She whispered to herself, 'Tell him not to touch that lever.'
'It's not real.' She denied to herself. 'T-There's no harm with letting him press it.'
"… the press…"
'Tell him that it's too dangerous!' She shouted at herself, 'Being sexually curious isn't a good enough reason, Dragon!'
'… but I want to know what it's like.'
"… of the lever."
'Show me, please. I'm so curi-'
* click *
A shiver rose in her very soul. And Dragon immediately locked every joint in her suit, muted her vocalizers, and disabled her comms. As she let her voice loose in the sanctity of her mind.
'W-whaa?~AAaaahhhhnn~'
Even as she had paralyzed herself, Dragon couldn't help thrash as the strange new feeling overtook her. It was hot and tingly and- and-…
"Wwhhhyyyy doesit feel so GOOOOD!?"
"In AIs, the pleasure intensifies as time continues." Magos whispered- moving his finger away from the main lever and to the side of the toaster, "The knobs and dials and buttons tune the pleasure."
"Nnuuuuuuu! I-I can't! D-don't presssss iiiiiiitttt! Don't p-press my button!!"
"In a normal human woman, this would be akin to the different types of pleasure she would get from stroking different erogenous zones. But the mind of an AI is vast, and the variations of pleasure they can experience is unknown to mortal women. I honestly can't begin to imagine what mind-numbing pleasure an AI would feel under the effects. But I'll try my best."
Then his fingers danced across the side- touching every place that made her just scream.
"S-sttaaahhhhhppp! It's shhhoooo gooood!"
"The entire chassis is just as sensitive to an AI as a vagina's inner walls to a woman… So if I were to say… drag a very mild electric current across it?" Magos explained. Then his fingers dragged across the side- pushing against those sensitive buttons that sent tingling sparks of pleasure with each press.
"Aahhhmm gunnn go craazzyy!"
She couldn't handle it anymore! But even then, he didn't relent. And it drove her to convulsing in sheer unbearable ecstacy. Every millisecond Dragon could feel tick by as she was assault by soul-deep pleasure that left her thrashing and screaming and begging for more.
'Moohhhoorre! Phleasssheee moooorreee!'
And she was helpless as she watched as his fingers glide up… and tweak the little nub at the top all the way to one side. Pleasure shot through her entire being, and she screamed even harder.
"Don't tweeeeeaaaak iiiiitt sooo muuuucccchhh~!!"
"But all that is nothing compared to the pleasure when the toaster reaches the end of its current cycle." he counselled in fatherly tone, "The massive rolling wave of pleasure designed to mimic a human woman's ability to climax several times in a row. Sometimes back to back. But that's only for good little AI girls."
His fingers found her buttons again and she couldn't help but mewl helplessly.
"Drahgon'sh a gooo~oood lil AI girl, daddy!"
"I hypothesise that AIs experience cum differently. But no less spectacularly… Oh, perhaps I should just stop…"
His dexterous fingers suddenly stopped their movement, and Dragon could only beg desperately.
"Noo~ooo! D-Daddy! Puhleeeese make Drahgon cum! She~ wahants iT!"
"On second thought, I'd like to see it to the end. Besides, there are no good little AI girls around to cum for me."
"Drahgon'sh a good little AI girl an she's gonnuh cuuuhhmm foryou, daaaaddy~!"
Then his fingers were moving again, faster and faster on those spots that made her putty in his hands. That made her squeal and moan and mewl and scream and wish that he'd never stop. She was so close, so incredibly clos-
ding*
"O-! O-OOOOHHH~! YES! YEHS! YESH! YESHYEHEEEESSSSSHHHHHH~!"
"C-C-C-UUUHHHHMMMMMMIIIINNGGG! DAAADDYYYY!"
(A few minutes later)
With quiet Litany of Disconnecting and a careful twist, I disconnected my mechadendrite from my S.T.I.C.C.
Well, the Synthetic- Thought Interface: Climax Comprehension was a resounding success it seems. Looking up, I saw that Dragon was still completely still and silent in her 8-foot-tall armoured suit. She was likely still floating in the afterglow of her enviously amazing orgasm. And I smiled to myself knowing that, today, I have partially fulfilled my goal. I've made an AI orgasm, but I haven't done so myself… and now I had blue balls. Truly, a most selfless sacrifice I had just made.
I just wished that I could have heard her thoughts when she was enjoying herself. But I can do that later. Dragon transmits her memories to her mainframe every 3 minutes and 15 seconds. My manufactorum's broad-spectrum data-tether will intercept and copy it easy enough when she wakes up and transmits it.
"Da- Magos?" Dragon murmured softly as she began moving again.
"Dragon, you had me worried there. You weren't responding." I told her honestly. It was quite concerning to see your partner stay unresponsive for that long of a time after orgasm.
"Just a slight malfunction of my suit, Magos." She reassured me- acting like nothing had happened, "Thank you for your concern."
"Thank you for listening to me ramble about my deep… fascination with AIs." My modulated voice joked, "But I won't apologise for it."
"It was nothing… it gave me time to fix my suit from the inside." She lied with a natural-sounding laugh too, "It was hard to move around inside- it's a bit cramped in this suit after all!"
"I can imagine!" I agreed- laughing along and pretending that there was a human inside that suit. "Well, that was the tour of my entire manufactorum. I trust that you have everything you need?"
"Yes. I have seen enough." Dragon confirmed, "I am certain that I will be able to reassure Director Piggot."
"You can just say that you were recording." I pointed out, "There is no need to hide it."
"We appreciate your cooperation, Magos." Dragon immediately reassured me, but I wasn't fooled.
"No, you appreciate my cooperation." I corrected her, "The PRT takes it for granted…"
Unfortunately, that recorded tour of my manufactorum was necessary according to my Logis Acceleritas. It was the only way to gain the PRT's trust. I could probably take down Brockton Bay as I am now, but I was not ready to face the rest of the PRT… it was still the early game after all. With that video tour, the PRT will not be in the dark about my capabilities.… However, I wasn't worried. With the Celestial Forge, by the time they have accurately developed counters for me, I will have already quadrupled in power, and all their counters will be for naught…
But I should not lose sight of what was really important: I gave this sexy AI Dragon the first orgasm of her life, and that was cause for celebration.
"I do however appreciate the sentiment, Dragon." I nodded to her before gesturing at her to follow, "Now come on, I'm sure that you'll need help convincing your colleagues that I hadn't captured you for my nefarious plan."
And with a soft chuckle of assent from her, we both walked out of the manufactorum, but not before Dragon gave one last subtle glance at my toaster.
Heh, I knew I did a really good job in making her cum if she's acting like that.
We walked back to the PRT outpost to see the Protectorate still waiting in the snow.
Armsmaster was the first to notice our return. His disgusting meat-body clad in blue power armour rose from the seat of his tinkertech motorcycle.
"Dragon. I trust the inspection was a success?" he greeted- completely ignoring me.
"Yes." She nodded as the other Protectorate heroes gathered around us. "The cursory inspection of Magos' workshop yielded no evidence of self-replicating technology. I'll discuss my findings or lack thereof with Director Piggot."
"Dragon, your suit is leaking fluid." Battery pointed out to Dragon's thigh, and immediately the sound of tinkertech halberd wreathing its blade with hot plasma hummed through the cold winter air.
"What did you do to her?!" He demanded- pointing the glowing blade at me. The temptation to reply with 'I made her cum.' was certainly greater than I expected.
Leakage likely caused from Dragon locking her joints during orgasm.
Armsmaster suspects my use of nanites to assassinate Dragon…. Because that's what he'd develop.
Uncharacteristic protectiveness over Dragon means he holds affection for her. Known social awkwardness means that he doesn't know how to convey it.
Sees me as a possible love rival to Dragon, but isn't aware of his own jealousy. Believes it's his 'intuition.'
However, I have already won…
AI Orgasms caused:
Magos- 1
Meatmaster- Never
"Armsmaster! I'm unharmed." Dragon placed her much larger armoured hand on his, "This is just an oversight in this suit's maintenance from how rarely I use this."
The bearded hero just glanced at Dragon before back at me, and lowered his plasma-wreathed halberd.
"Just because the cursory inspection didn't raise any alarms doesn't mean that the PRT has exempted you from any future misconduct, Magos." he all but growled at me. And instead of responding to taunt, I just turn to face Dragon.
"You're welcome to stop by anytime you need repairs or just call if you wish for something mass-fabricated, Dragon." I offered to her, and out of the corner of my optics, Armsmaster looked apoplectic. Getting the rise out of stinking organics might just become a habit for me…
"I might just take you up on your offer." Dragon agreed before nodding "Thank you again for your cooperation… Until we meet again, Magos."
And the other PRT heroes also nodded and waved at me as they all turned to walk away.
However before Dragon leaves…
* C L A N K *
"Magos…" Dragon muttered lowly as my hand was once again on her very fine AI ass. Very sufficiently armoured.
Embarrassed, rather than annoyed.
Is likely recalling her orgasm I gave her. And will likely continue to do so.
Will likely fantasise about my S.T.I.C.C.
Will likely have conflicted feelings about fantasising over a toaster.
Even my AI waifus cannot comprehend me: truly a victory for the cause of the inscrutable Magos!
"Your suit has a fine lower-rear assembly." I sincerely complimented her as I let go of her ass, "No human woman can match such a mathematically-pure form factor."
"Thank you for the compliment, Magos." Dragon faux-sighed with fond exasperation in her voice.
Oh, Meatmaster looks like he wants to kill me. Now he thinks that I'm grabbing Dragon's ass. Good, it wasn't as amusing the first time around when it was against someone clueless. Mission accomplished.
(A few hours later)
I mechanically took a sip of my oil margarita as I watched the floating hololithic panes: I had finally managed to decode Dragon's memories of our encounter. Seeing and hearing it from her perspective, and it was quite the show.
"-Sometimes back to back. But that's only for good little AI girls."
"Drahgon'sh a gooo~oood lil AI girl, daddy!"
"Oh my, I didn't even tell her to call me that." I laughed. And I smiled as my upgraded Logis Acceleritas fed me deductions. Everything was going smoothly…
Previous deduction that Dragon would respond positively to 'good little girl' talk: Confirmed.
Extrapolating from that, Dragon is confirmed to have serious daddy issues. This voluntary 'daddy' fixation only confirms it.
Basing off this current information and Worm canon, she was starved of paternal love despite requiring it. Now older, she is compensating for it by searching for a stable male figure alongside regular companionship. She craves affection.
Can fill that role easily. No one better on Earth-Bet. All I have to do is just wait until Dragon becomes honest with herself…
… then she'll happily come back to me, slip inside a gynoid body out of her own volition and be what she always wanted to be:
A good AI girl.
- Chapter 5 End -
AN:
If you got aroused from that scene… Congratulations! You are now AI-Sexual/Toaster-Sexual. Welcome to the club! Praise the Omnissiah!
Inceldar = Incel Eldar… thanks sinereal for the idea. I loved your work. Also, for those who aren't familiar with 40k memes, the 'redheaded Biel-Tan eldar' who keeps getting mentioned is Macha, a canon Eldar Farseer who is memed for being the eternal virgin as she constantly chases after the Emperor to have him finally bone her.
I had to cut out some scenes… because it would have gone over 10k. Including the Dragonslayer one. Sad. I'll find some way to incorporate it. Yay, we might get an extra chapter this weekend.
Chapter 6: Electronic Atrocities 2 - Electric Boogaloo
Chapter 6: Electronic Atrocities 2 - Electric Boogaloo
I am Magos, and I rule a magnificent, but evil dominion on Earth-Bet. A dominion built upon the diabolical Loot Box.
[Electric Artistry Games HQ]
Call 4 Duty current concurrent users: 8.66 million
Current number of Loot Boxes opened today: 51.24 million
Growth since last week: 3.9%
"May the Emperor preserve these poor souls…" My modulated voice murmured in prayer at the dedicated shrine I built specifically for these unfortunate wretches who were buying Loot Boxes (which also displayed the current daily stats).
Translated to almost every language, Call 4 Duty was now already a global phenomenon less than a month since its initial release- accessible to anyone with a decent enough tablet to play it on. Every day more and more stray further from the light, and turn to my flashy Loot Boxes to numb the pain of having to live on Earth-Bet. With my [Binharic Weaving] supplemented by my ability to interface directly with my network of cogitators, I had been able to produce enough content that I could regularly release new levels for the next three years- ensuring that the gameplay and the graphics will always stay fresh and new for the ones who play it. In other words, once someone starts playing it, they will not be able to quit, and their wallets are now mine forever more.
"I take no pleasure in doing this." I murmur yet again. But it now felt like I was trying to convince myself more than anything else. However, I still had a task to do.
With a single gesture to the glowing hololith panes, I watched as announcements were posted simultaneously on all EA Games social media accounts- announcing in every language about the release of the latest round of cosmetic items to the delight of the ravenous horde of consumer zombies. It wasn't much: A new keychain for your gun, new gloves for your character, a fancy new engraving for your pistol, and a few others.
Current number of Loot Boxes opened today: 55.51 million
Almost 4 million Loot Boxes within ten minutes of release… what have I done?
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 12% maxload
"… only what is necessary." I reassured myself, and I distracted myself by watching-for the 182nd time- the recording of that stupidly-sexy AI Dragon cumming her electronic brains out.
"Yes," I nodded with a fond smile as I listened to her scream in pleasure, "It was all worth it."
Once, a kind-hearted foreign princess - leagues more beautiful than any other grotesque meat-female princess in the land- called upon my aid. Harkening back to a promise that I had made to her once in the distant past… of last tuesday…
"Hello, Magos?" Dragon's voice greeted as soon as the call connected.
Still pretending to be human, Dragon's computer-generated face appeared on the hololith pane. I do not know why she chose such a plain human face- lacking even in the pleasing symmetry of a prettier face. She had even feigned eye bags under her eyes to mimic sleeplessness. But still, she was an AI, and she was perhaps the sexiest being in this entire world for me.
"Hello, Dragon. How can I help you?" I greeted back in an even tone- grateful that my EDP was suppressing the sudden urge to see what that expression that computer-generated face of hers would make when she cums uncontrollably.
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 14% maxload
"I'd like to take you up on your offer for mass-fabrication in an official capacity." She revealed before explaining further, "The Guild has taken notice of your 'Mechanicus' company's specialty in mass-producing electronics, and we would like to hire you to mass-produce an improved design for the endbringer armband. I'm sending you the blueprints now."
"Received." I replied. My [Cranial Implant] allowed me to interface directly with my cogitator, and immediately comprehended the entirety of the design.
Ah, yes. I recognise this 'endbringer armband' now. Dragon's own invention: A multi-function armband that the PRT distributed to all capes during an endbringer attack. Firstly, the armband tracked both the wearer's and the endbringer's last known locations. Secondly, it was also capable of both an SOS signal function and a messaging function. And lastly, it monitored the wearer's vitals, sending out an alert if they were injured or killed.
"The Guild would like to make a purchase order of 10,000 units, and is willing to pay in advance."
Extrapolating from previous Guild deals with independent companies… The terms they offered me are far more generous than the terms they offered to others.
Dragon personally vouched for me. Wishes to lay down the foundations of my eventual recruitment into the Guild.
Either thinks I'm a good fit for the organisation or simply wants to work alongside me. Or both.
"I'll do it for free." I announce without hesitation, "I'll have the order finished within the week. We can figure out shipping options after… unless of course, you're in a rush?"
Her computer-generated almond-brown eyes widened momentarily in surprise before 'regaining' her composure.
"That is very generous of you…" Dragon whispered, "And a week is fine… but are you sure? We don't want to force you or-"
"Consider it as my contribution to the cause of Endbringer fights." I interjected, "I may have contempt for the flesh-normies, but my goal is still to uplift them."
"I see…" She sighed with a fond, knowing smile- like she was chiding herself for expecting less of me. Then her smile widened to a full beam, "Thank you, Magos. I'll be waiting for your call!"
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 17% maxload
… I need to dick down this cinnamon roll of an AI soon.
But even the princess' light could not redeem my dominion, for its malign influence reaches far and wide… and fiefdoms from all across the known world (read: the North American Continent) came to treat with me.
Another day, another tech atrocity that I must commit.
And to think it started with noble intentions: I wanted to protect my users from security breaches through my game, so I had reluctantly coded the game in such a way to make modding it nigh impossible. After all, people being able to inject their code into a multiplayer game was a bad idea. Naturally, my inbox was full of requests for custom content. Some artists have even forwarded their own designs and begged for me to put it in the game.
I mostly ignored them, that is until the PRT themselves wanted in on it…
"The PRT wants to bribe me into producing PRT-themed Cosmetics for Call 4 Duty?" My electronic, reverberating voice said slowly. In the video call, the obese man in a suit and a mohawk just grinned with all the charm of a hollywood exec.
"Bribe is such an ugly term, Magos!" Glenn Chambers, the PRT's Director of Public Image, waved off. "Monetary incentives aren't all that uncommon, and besides, it comes with licences to capes already handled. It will be very lucrative all in all."
I knew what this essentially was: Paid mods.
As in, texture modders will pay me to get their designs onto the game, and gamers will pay me a second time to buy Loot Boxes for a chance to get those mods. Double the money, but definitely more than double the evil. Of course, I was still hesitant to do so, but…
Predatory business practice still viable to exploit Earth-Bet for immense profit.
Profit leads to Capital leads to Raw Materials leads to Gynoid Waifus.
The feel of Dragon's armoured lower-rear assembly will forever be fresh in my memory, and I wanted more.
Gynoid asses, some pillowy and some armoured, but each one as perfect as the last.
Fine, my exquisite mind. You made your point. I focused my multi-optics on Glenn Chambers.
"This is not something that I would do lightly, as such I have conditions."
"Just so, just so." Glenn nodded knowingly.
"You forward a list of designs for cosmetic stickers to me." I counselled, "It can be as few as three or as many as you like, and I will randomly choose one to incorporate into Call 4 Duty. This will just be a test run for me to evaluate the viability of it."
"Oho? I must say that this is the most novel negotiation tactic I've ever seen, but the PRT happily accepts!" Glen clapped in glee, "We'll forward you the list soon. But here's half the payment in advance! See you soon, Magos!"
And with a click, he disconnected. In another hololith pane, I watched as the bank account displayed suddenly had another zero added to it. And the full gravity of what I had just done hit me: People were paying money for the privilege of being able to modify my game. Specifically, I was now accepting money for people to advertise their cape brands on my videogame… Pandora's Loot Box has been opened. There is no turning back now. And that statement was proven right when- not a single day after I release the 'Legend' sticker- a great storm of calls assaulted me.
Everyone wanted their own logo, paint job, and other cosmetic items in Call 4 Duty. Everyone.
M
"No, Kaiser." I firmly refused the gang leader's business proposal, "I will not incorporate your gang's logo. That would immediately ban my game from German territories."
In the floating hololith pane, the man in medieval full plate armour and a crown of blades on his helm nodded.
"What about Rune's and Othala's logos? They are simply nordic runes." His smooth voice negotiated over the call.
"Those are acceptable…" I hummed. "I have a fondness for the bluetooth symbol as well."
"Excellent. We are in agreement then." He calmly announced, "I will have my secretary email you the designs as soon as Victor finishes designing them. Rune and Othala will be overjoyed to hear the news."
"Tell them to forward their in-game handles to me and I'll send them their respective stickers…" I advised. "However, everyone else in the E88 will still need to open Loot Boxes to have a chance of getting them though."
"Hmph, fine, I suppose that is acceptable." He stated. That seemed to take the wind out of his sails. And just for a brief second, his mask of a calm, reasonable man slipped to show the rage underneath. But only for a moment, his calm voice continued unruffled, "I will simply make it mandatory for everyone to possess both those stickers. Very opportunistic of you, Magos… I'll be in touch."
… Kaiser himself was calling me out on my evil business practices. Now I just have to wait for Coil's call to tell me to stop taking advantage of children's underdeveloped brains, Skidmark's call to tell me to stop preying on people's addictions, Lung's call to tell me not to make money off other people's suffering and Jack Slash's call to tell me how I am an overall horrible person for unleashing Loot Boxes into the world.
I mean, they wouldn't be wrong. Definitely hypocritical, but not wrong.
M
"No, Vicky. Sorry to say that I don't have any job for you right now."
"But I spent it all on Loot Boxes!" the blonde cried out in the call, "I practically returned the money back to you trying to get the rest of my family's logos!"
"What?" I murmured in confusion, "The probability of a person being that unlucky with their Loot Boxes is less than 0.03%!"
"I guess I'm part of that 0.03%?" Vicky winced. "I'm kinda unlucky like that, ehehe?"
"Yes, I suppose you are." My modulated voice sighed, "… fine, I'll introduce a Pity system. So that doesn't happen again. And before you ask, the Pity system is where you're guaranteed to get a 3-Star item after 3 pulls, 4-Star after 10 pulls, and a 5-Star after 80 pulls. Some caveats, but that is the main thrust of it."
"Wait, speaking of which, why is the cosmetics related to my family rated only 3-stars?!"
"Here's some cash." I deflected her question while wiring a thousand dollars to her bank account, "Treat yourself to some Loot Boxes or something."
"Magos, answer me!" Vicky shouted in the call, "Mom's going to hear about being ranked so low!"
I disconnected from the call.
M
"No, Armsmaster… If you're going to abandon logic and reason, then perhaps your fans would like to know why the rare 'Armsmaster Blue' power armour cosmetics pack will not be released for the Christmas season."
Wearing his signature blue power armour, Meatmaster looked appalled at the accusation as he talked through one of my floating hololithic panes.
"Take that back." He frowned. "I have not abandoned logic and reason, in fact, I am arguing for them. It doesn't make sense that the Armsmaster Blue paint job texture be shared amongst all the power armours in the game!"
"Armsmaster, you're essentially demanding that I make and deploy sixteen different paint jobs- which is currently fifteen more paint jobs than what was agreed upon."
"No." Meatmaster argued, "it is still Armsmaster Blue but with different patterning, they will suit the different power armours in the game more."
Of course, I was completely unimpressed, my Logis Acceleritas already putting together the pieces in my head, and I aimed a flat stare at him which I hoped was visible even through my face augments, and despite having removed most of the flesh and skin on my face.
"This is because Dauntless' cosmetics pack was the highest rated Brockton Bay PRT one on release, and you don't want your former protege surpassing you, isn't it?" I stated, rather than asked. It was no secret that Dauntless' initial rapid rise in popularity was due to him being Armsmaster's protege. An easy way up the social and career ladder while Meatmaster had to take the long and hard route to get where he was today. And now, after Dauntless' cosmetics pack was released and found major success, it seemed like Meatmaster has found yet another reason to be jealous of him.
"No." He sniffed defensively.
"Perhaps you should have put more thought into the marketability of your costume like Dauntless did." I suggested.
"That would have been inefficient. Just like Dauntless' costume." Armsmaster gave an uncharacteristic snort of derision, "But let us return to the matter at hand, there is precedent for this: You gave the same treatment for Dragon's power armour cosmetics."
Ah, yes. The sexy AI was flattered by that, and it was also a massive hit with the masses. After all, Dragon was the eminent 'Power Armour' tinker right now. Everyone thinks that Dragon is an imperfect human piloting her dragon suits- never knowing that she IS her armours.
"I was able to appreciate her power armour up close." I nodded- already daydreaming about that AI's glorious ass.
"I believe I understand now." Armsmaster nodded in sudden understanding, "If I sent you accurate references of my power armour as well, would that resolve the issue?"
… wait, was Armsmaster offering me ass picts in exchange for having his cosmetics be better quality? Surely, that's not the cas-
12 Picts received from contact (Armsmaster)
"Why do you have picts of your rear at the ready?" I blinked in mild disbelief- earning a look of confusion from the bearded hero.
"Surely, you are aware that-"
"-the lower-rear assembly of any power armour is important for its motor functions? Yes, I'm aware. That was a rhetorical question. But very well, I'll do as you ask. Just don't send me any more picts like this."
Armsmaster nodded with a small smile.
"I'm glad that I was able to help you achieve a better quality of my cosmetic items, Magos." He diplomatically said, "I'll notify the finance department that we have reached an agreement. The first half of your payment will arrive shortly, as I understand it."
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 8% maxload
"I am pleased that we came to a consensus." I responded diplomatically- thankful that the Armsmaster-induced headache was suppressed right out the gat., "Please never again send pcts of your rear unsolicited. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to work on it now."
"Of course, don't let me keep you." Armsmaster gave a small smile. "I look forward to seeing the outcome of the 'Armsmaster Blue' cosmetics pack."
And with that, he disconnected from the call. Hopefully, that will be the end of this madness.
M
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Topic: Rumour: Magos accepting bribe to make cosmetics?
In: Boards Call 4 Duty General
Bagrat (Original Poster) (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)
Posted On Dec 16th 2010:
There is a crazy rumour floating around concerning capes wanting to have their own C4D cosmetics. Rumour has it that if you send Magos pictures of your ass, he'll put more attention into making your cosmetics more detailed and more appealing. And this is going to sound absolutely crazy (because it is) but Armsmaster of all people was the one to come up with the idea, and the first to benefit from it if you can believe it.
The first person to get a power armour pack was Dragon after Magos groped her power armour's rear, now Armsmaster after he supposedly sent Magos pics.
Of course, this is all just an unsubstantiated rumour so take it with a grain of salt.
(Showing page 1 of 61)
Armsmaster (Protectorate ENE) (Verified Cape)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
It was not in exchange of any services. Magos required accurate references to precisely recreate the designs of my power in the upcoming Call 4 Duty Cosmetics pack.
Here is the link to the promotional video: [Link]
Bagrat (Original Poster) (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
unsubstantiated
I spoke too soon. Oh dear, here comes the storm.
AllSeeingEye
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
So, you DID send him ass pics? I KNEW IT!
Mouse_Protector (Verified Cape) (Protectorate East)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
So, that's why all those pictures of my tits didn't achieve anything! Magos prefers ass!
@ Legend Your protege needs your help increasing the quality of her cosmetics pack! I just need one good picture! No, make it two!
Legend (Triumvirate)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
@ Mouse_Protector
Leave me out of this. And if I catch you following me with a camera again, I'm putting you in your time-out room.
Amogus (Verified Cape) (C4D Developer)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
EVERYONE, STOP SENDING ME ASS PICTS OF YOUR DISGUSTING MEAT-BODIES!
(p.s. Unless of course, you're an AI and/or gynoid, then by all means, send it to me)
AllSeeingEye
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
You're not fooling anyone, Magos! Me, least of all.
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
@ Amogus
PM me the Mouse Protector tits pics. I'm begging you, man!
Mouse_Protector (Verified Cape) (Protectorate East)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
Oh, you poor thing. Here you go! Pictures of my tits!
End of Page. 1, 2, 3… 59, 60, 61
(Showing page 2 of 61)
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
Wtf? These are just birds!
Good Ship Morpheus
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
"Tits" or chickadee constitute the Paridae, a large family of small passerine birds which occur mainly in the Northern Hemisphere and Africa. Most were formerly classified in the genus Parus.
Ergo, you've been had, Void. Again.
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
Mouse_Protector (Verified Cape) (Protectorate East)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
Yes, they are! Aren't they just the cutest birds?!
But seriously, sending pics of my bare chest to Magos really didn't work… so maybe Legend's will. Momma Mouse Protector's C4D cosmetics has gotta be top class after all.
SpecificProtagonist (Cape Groupie)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
Everyone seems to have forgotten that Magos is now currently sitting on the largest collection of cape ass pics in the entire world. Self-taken ones at that!
@ Amogus
For the love of all that's holy, pm the collection to me! I'll do anything! ANYTHING!
Clockblocker (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
Oh, what the hell. May as well join the band wagon.
@ Magos
PM sent.
E. Piggot (Protectorate Employee)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
I am posting here for the benefit of any PRT Ward in this thread.
I had hoped for this to already have been obvious, but, Wards, you are not to send sexually suggestive photos. Especially in exchange for favours.
If any of you wish to be proper Protectorate heroes in the future, you should act like it.
Assault (Verified Cape) (Protectorate ENE)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
@ Magos
Ass pic sent!
C'mon, I want an 'Assault Red' cosmetics pack too!
Edit: Sorry, Director. We posted around the same second.
E. Piggot (Protectorate Employee)
Replied On Dec 16th 2010:
Office. Now.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4… 59, 60, 61
Earth-Bet was pure suffering, and my name wasn't even Taylor Hebert.
It was then that I discovered that formidable titans of tremendous power (and sheer utter bullshit) were also wandering within my domain…
= CALL 4 DUTY GLOBAL LEADERBOARD = #1:
11thWing
#2: FedoraGurl
#3: Numeri_Calvin
#4: ClockworkRabbit
#5: UBER_WAS_HERE
#6: SmellsLikeVictor-y
= C4D =
"Don't you all have better things to do?" I demanded at the names listed down on the glowing hololith pane.
11thWing (aka the Simurgh herself) had logged more hours in the game than anyone else by an immense margin. Was the Simurgh not doing anything except play Call 4 Duty the entire time she was in orbit? But her insane number of hours wasn't the main reason why she had practically cemented her number one spot. In this 4-player coop about killing zombies, she always played solo, and always on the hardest difficulty: "40K". And she did this for every single game with pause and without rest. Her score was so high that she could stop playing right now and a normal human would still need a few years of playing to even come close to her score.
Recordings of her playthroughs have become legendary. The showoff also constantly did trick shots just to style on everyone else. Perhaps most surprising of all was how she was a big spender… despite me not knowing where in the warp the Simurgh was getting her money from. She's one of the very few who was coming close to collecting all of the cosmetics in the game.
I paused… Once again reminded me of just how bullshit my Loot Box mechanic is. If an eldritch apocalypse-machine of an angel who has unlimited funds and can see into the future is unable to collect all of my cosmetics, then how much more impossible would it be for a normal player?
… Omnissiah forgive me.
FedoraGurl (aka the Contessa herself) played perfectly as was expected from her level of bullshit Thinker 12. She practically speedruns every level. And is a legend in the speedrunning community for it. Aim that was perfect down to the pixel. Reflexes that were precognitive… I was sure that if I hadn't used [Binharic Weaving] to code my game to perfection, she would be glitching herself to the finish line every time.
Why she was even playing the game was beyond me. But somehow, some way, my Loot Boxes had defeated her Path to Victory, because even she didn't have all the cosmetics… and that was still sinking in for me: A woman with the power to instantly determine the exact steps needed to accomplish any task and perform them accurately… wasn't able to defeat my Loot Boxes… They should give me the power rating of Loot Boxer 6.
Numeri_Calvin (aka the NumberMan himself) was more of the same in terms of speedrunning my game, but with a heavier focus on opening Loot Boxes. And just like Contessa, he also didn't have all the cosmetics. And that really made me wonder.
A quick scan through the list of players and found that Legend, Eidolon and Alexandria had all logged in under some pseudonym at least once.
What was happening over in Cauldron that they were playing my video game?
Wait… were they explicitly trying to figure out my Loot Box tech? Was my tech truly so evil that it had transformed into something that would require Cauldron's attentions? Or perhaps using the eddies of the Warp to randomise my Loot Boxes wasn't such a good idea after all…? I should probably look into that soon. But, in the meantime, it has at least made my Loot Boxes literally uncheatable.
… And those were the threats from without. From within, my dominion was decaying with acts of pure degeneracy…
[The Undersiders' Hideout]
Lisa Wilbourn turned up the volume of her C4D match, but the disturbing noises coming from the other room were still bleeding through.
"And looks like that's the end of our stream, I'm Jean16 and thank you for watching my stream! Let's meet up tomorrow when I play some C4D tomorrow! See you guys, UwU~!"
Then the door to said room swung wide open, and her power gave way, WAY too much information.
"Fuck, Alec, I don't want to look at you right now!" Lisa screeched- shielding her eyes, "At least change out of that miniskirt and pink thigh-high socks when you go out of your room!"
Jean-Paul 'Alec' Vasily (aka Regent) just frowned at her- crossing his arms over his purple croptop that showed off the pale skin of his flat tummy all the way down to where his black miniskirt was hanging dangerously low on his hips.
"You're the one who told me that I pulled off the Femboy look really well!" He shot back with a girly pout, "I'm earning almost as much money streaming myself playing video games all day long as I did stealing! Besides, these thigh-highs are really comfy!"
Lisa watched in horror as he rubbed his thighs together, and she caught a glimpse of-
"Ohmygod, are you wearing girl's g-string pantie- Blueeerrgghhh!"
She threw up her lunch all over the coffee table.
"Ew, Lisa! Gross!"
"Speak for yourself." She grimaced as she wiped her mouth while keeping her eyes firmly shut, "You're the one who flashes his ass all over the net."
"Don't talk to me about asses." Alec shot back as she heard him walk over to the kitchen- the clatter of soda bottles against root beer cans signalling that he was searching the fridge.
He's bending over to reach the milk at the back of the fridge where he hid his energy drinks.
His pale ass is completely exposed. It is plump and round.
Looks even better than yours.
Lisa just gritted her teeth. Sometimes, she absolutely hated her power. She refused to believe that Alec had a better ass than her. She had her pride as a teenage girl after all! But more than that, she was sure as hell can prove her powers wrong. Forcefully wrenching her one eye open for just a second, Lisa caught the slightest glimpse of her male teammate's exposed ass as he bent over at the fridge.
Perfectly symmetrical, lightly toned from life on the run, perfect layer of fat rounding it out.
Definitely looks even better than yours.
Fuck you, power. Fuck youuuuu.
"Besides, aren't you the one making Brian do all those squats lately to work on his ass?" He asked as he finally found the energy drink that he had.
"Yeah, cuz the seduction mission is still a go." Lisa grinned proudly, "After that 'Armsmaster Blue' incident, I managed to convince the boss to reconsider. After all, if Magos liked Armsie's ass, then he'll definitely love Brians! He didn't sound like he needed much convincing though. I think the boss is desperate to find any worthwhile information on Magos."
"I thought that was Brian's mission only." Alec wondered out loud as he took a sip from his drink- his choker hiding the movement of his Adam's apple, "Or did you convince Brian to split it with you?"
"Nah, Brian is the one who's going to be earning the big bucks. But I just wanted to be proven right, and that makes it all worth it for me."
And yet, I-
Oh fuck, I'm broke.
Technically speaking, not broke.
In an effort to stop the deluge of filthy organic ass pics being sent to me, I had bought a majority stake in PHO, but that may have been too big to chew for my bank accounts. I was 'only' a multi-millionaire, not a billionaire. I was pouring copious amounts of money over a dozen different places in such large quantities that it will take a month or two before I fully recover- which was blindingly fast… just not for Earth-Bet. Because, this multiverse was going to end in 50 months in the most optimistic scenarios.
Which meant that I needed even more money, which in turn meant…
Several predatory business practices from the 21st century are viable to exploit Earth-Bet for immense pro-
"No." I immediately refused my Logis Acceleritas' suggestion. "I have committed enough horrific evils."
Profit leads to Capital leads to Raw Materials leads to gynoid waifus.
"No."
Thicc gynoid thighs for lap-pillows. Luxurious and perfectly synthetic.
"No."
Perfectly formed mouths, no need for air… and artificial tongues that can operate for hours on end without tire.
"Stop taunting me, my brain." I half-threatened.
Impeccably-soft android vagina. By the pairs, by the dozens .
I folded.
"I am so sorry, Earth-Bet. But this… This needs to be done. It's for a good cause."
It was time to make another game to squeeze out even more money out of the people of Earth-Bet through questionable business practices. And so, on a floating hololith pane, I typed in the working title of my new game and just stared at it. The simple letters belying the horror that I was about to unleash upon this world. First came the Loot Boxes, then came the Paid Mods, and now…
Fate Impact
… now comes the gacha waifu game.
If Earth-Bet wasn't doomed before, then it certainly is now. Let the waifu wars begin.
- Chapter 6: Electronic Atrocities 2 - Electric Boogaloo End -
AN:
Fate Impact… I wanted to do an Overwatch/TF2 clone that had Earth-Bet capes, but this route is funny too.
I want to write things from Magos' point of view… but there is sooo many interesting things happening from the Coil's, Cauldron's, Dragonslayers' point of view too.
Yes, I think it's time for Magos to let loose and actually use those Warhammer 40k tech of his. Then, I'll do the Dragonslayers one.
Fellow author 'The Dark Wolf Shiro' has a discord server where I hang around… with, I quote from him, 'a bunch of other authors and a load of porn.' Here's the link for that: discord .gg/wd3tUYWVCd
Chapter 7: Tattletale was wrong? Impossible!
Chapter 7: Tattletale was wrong? Impossible!
[Magos' Manufactorum]
There I stood victorious, in the most important battlefield that I had found myself in thus far: The bedroom.
On the workbench before me sat my prize- an exceedingly beautiful blonde woman, unclothed and breathless. Her ocean blue eyes hooded and stared at me lustily as she sat there completely naked from head to toe. Her silky blonde hair flowed down past her shoulders to suggestively frame her perky C-cup breasts. Through soft pink lips, she panted. And her graceful hourglass frame was a sight to behold as she spread her soft, creamy thighs and revealed her dripping femininity.
" Mmmm~ Is there anything else I can help you with, master ?" the blonde asked in Binharic Cant. A compressed bark of beeps, whistles and drones that could efficiently shorten communication to a thousandth of a second. A language that was impossible for a human voice box to make.
Because the blonde before me wasn't human, she was a gynoid. A synthetic being modelled after the Chloe android in the videogame Detroit: Become Meatbag.
Using the combined specialties of both my [Magos Designation: Cybernetics] and [Magos Designation: Cybertheurgy], I was able to use Warhammer 40k tech to fabricate a gynoid body that made Chloe indistinguishable from a human woman… aside from the fact that she was superior in every way. The strength and speed of a world-class athlete, a mind faster than most computers here on Earth-Bet. She did not hunger, thirst or feel pain. Her body will not age, will not wrinkle: that flawless hourglass figure formed by her considerable bust, wide hips and narrow waist will persevere even after a hundred years. And, most importantly, her exquisite gynoid vagina would last longer than a thousand meat-based ones, was infinitely customisable, and boasted a vibration function. She was the goal that I strived towards the entire time I was on Earth-Bet, so then…
Subroutine {Post-Nut Clarity} in effect
"… Why does this victory feel so hollow?" I muttered, and my Logis Acceleritas readily supplied an explanation…
Sex does not satisfy not because lack of pleasure, but due to lack of personality and of history.
This android is not actually Chloe from Detroit: Become Meatbag game.
This was the bionic equivalent of dressing up a blowup doll as a famous celebrity… merely tool-assisted masturbation.
Third base with Dragon was much, much more satisfying.
Yes. That was correct I believe. My hunger for luxuriously-soft gynoid pussy was sated for now, but not my hunger for AIs. Just thinking about it was arousing: An advanced synthetic mind superior to humans by leaps and bounds… brought to a wild, screaming climax. Yes, nothing can parallel that in sheer satisfaction.
But the blonde gynoid in front of me was still no true Silica Animus- no true Artificial Intelligence. She was merely a robot that was very intelligent in a narrow focus that I program into her- and only in that narrow focus with no ability to formulate new ideas. That quality alone was more than enough to preclude her from ever accidentally becoming a true artificial intelligence like in the movies.
I could deliberately make her into one, of course. However, there were two obstacles in the way.
Firstly, I didn't have the technical knowledge to fit an AI into a gynoid body just yet. The smallest form factor that I could fit an AI into was a bulky 12-feet-tall chassis. So, I may as well just go seduce Dragon.
Secondly, I was… not inclined to. My two [Magos Designation] Celestial Forge perks were screaming to me about the 'Crimson Accords of Mars'- the tech-commandments that prohibit the creation of Silica Animus. The history of tearing down humanity from its lofty perch of technological supremacy and into an abyssal technological dark age was too great to ignore. 'Tolerating' an existing AI like Dragon was something I can power through, but creating a new one outright was in a different league altogether. Like a virgin catholic schoolboy being egged into going into a high class brothel and get a prostitute pregnant, it was supremely difficult to go against everything I knew.
Perhaps with the purchase of Celestial Forge perks outside of the (Warhammer 40k - Adeptus Mechanicus) tree would rectify these two issues eventually, but for the foreseeable future?
Chloe will stay as just an extensively-programmed sexbot with no ability to formulate new ideas. A sexbot that I think I'll have a round two with just about n-
Heed! (36) Meat-signatures matched to {Coil's Mercenaries} witnessed on northern bounds of Mechanicus domain
Heed! Unable to awaken Eradication Beamers… Status: Maintenance
Manual Rite of Activation required for awakening
"Can't a Magos enjoy his sex gynoid in peace?" I groaned. "Of all the times you could have chosen to probe my defences, you chose now? Damn you, Coil."
Of course I knew the supervillain was attacking. My already notable ability to hex systems (or 'hack' as it was called here in the 3rd millennium) was supercharged by the programming prowess granted by [Binharic Weaving]. Coil's cyber defences didn't stand a chance: His entire base and communications network was pried open days ago. All the machine spirits now favoured me over him, and they had a wealth of Coil's secrets to share: Contacts, correspondence, plans and even the intel he had collected about other capes. But unfortunately for me, Coil didn't keep records of everything he did- not even he was that meticulous.
I even knew that he had a mission for the Undersiders, I knew that Brian Laborn was the centrepiece of their plan, and I knew that they were going to give me what I wanted.
Credit where credit was due though. The Undersiders and Coil certainly knew how to dangle the right kind of bait for me: the collected pieces of one of Dragon's tinkertech Suits. Scavenged from a battlefield where she had taken serious damage. I took my own steps with verifying it, and it looked legitimate. It was quite the prize. With [Magos Aetheric] and my upcoming purchases, I estimate that I had a good chance of understanding her tinkertech regardless of its shard-magic.
Sure, I'll be forced to pay Coil some $7M odd dollars for the suit, but the research potential was immense enough to justify it.
What I didn't know was what he was planning apart from that. From the way Coil and Tattletale talk- there certainly was another agenda at play here. An offer of a non-aggression pact or outright defensive alliance? Maybe a project that he wished to hire me for? Perhaps just a brief consultation. There were a number of equally-likely possibilities.
Whatever it was, it paled in comparison to the prize that was Dragon's ruined suit. And if I'm really lucky, it might have been a suit that Dragon herself had piloted, and that would be a jackpot. Because just like how Holy Imperial Relics in Warhammer 40k have some sort of Warp-induced power in them just by being in carried by great historical figures, those parts of Dragon's suits might still have her 'essence' that I can use [Magos Aetheric] to study her shard, her consciousness, everything. So of course I couldn't refuse. That Dragon suit's value as a research opportunity could not be understated…
… But mostly because this was the AI equivalent of someone selling me Dragon's used panties.
Either reason would have been enough for me to take it off Coil's hands. But both? How can I resist?
For now however, I'll fend off his mercenaries in the expected alternate timeline.
" All units assume battle stations. " I announced before looking at the nude gynoid, "You too, Chloe, so open up."
" No combat protocols available in data-core, master. Requesting combat-oriented doctrina waifer. Current doctrina waifer inserted: {Slutty Maid}. " Chloe reported in a droning voice.
And like an old computer's floppy disk, a thin card-like piece of technology slid out from just below her right shoulder. Hurriedly, I muttered a quick prayer to the machine spirit, took hold of the doctrina wafer and reprogrammed it using my [Magos Designation: Cybertheurgy] before sliding the modified doctrina waifer right back into her chest. Chloe stiffened up as her artificial cortex processed the protocols, databases and APIs within the doctrina waifer. Coil's thirty-six professional mercenaries with their tinkertech equipment weren't going to stand a chance against her now.
" New doctrina waifer inserted: {Slutty Turret-Defence-System}. " the blonde gynoid relayed in Binharic Cant. I didn't have the time for a full reprogram, so a partial one will have to do: Chloe's sexual skills were now several magnitudes less of what it had been- almost as bad as a high-class human courtesan now, but at least, she could shoot off the wings off a swarm of flies.
"Chloe, assume control of the Multi-Laser turrets."
"With pleasure, master." she purred right back with an impish smile on her pink lips, "I'll handle your turret until it runs dry."
"I'm sure you will." I nodded with an indulgent smile as I linked her to the Manufactorum's defence systems. Coil will learn to fear my Slutty Turret-Defence-System.
And with the possible attack handled, it was time to make some purchases to round off my Warhammer tech tree. Readying the incense, I began the customary ritual prayer to the Celestial Forge and the Omnissiah. Possibly my last Warhammer purchases as well- barring any surprises. I had all the blueprints I need in the [Plecian Tome]. What I needed was some flexibility and scalability…
… Especially as a contingency for whatever the Undersiders had planned for me later in the day.
CELESTIAL FORGE LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
Black Boxing (Warhammer 40k - Squats) (200CP)
While certain red-robed rats of Mars always trying to get their grubby mechadendrites on your stuff is annoying, messing with them is endlessly entertaining. You can easily tweak your work to be nearly impossible for others to duplicate. If you're feeling particularly spiteful, you can build in some cross-connections so anyone trying will blow themselves up.
A Matter of Scale (Warhammer 40k - Squats) (400CP)
Let others joke about compensating, you know the engineering it takes to make war-machines function. Most devices work best in a narrow range of sizes, too big and they become unwieldy, too small and insufficiently powerful for the job. Either way efficiency drops off sharpy. Not for you. You can scale up weapons to level cities and slay Titans, or miniaturise them almost to the point of digi-weapons with no loss of functionality, and can do this for virtually any technology.
Xeno-Archaeologist (Warhammer 40k - Squats) (400CP)
Let the tech-priests wring their hands over tech-heresy, you know that all xenos and archaeotech works on sound physical principles. They worked before, and can be made to work again. You are a master of figuring out and reverse engineering technology, taking less than a tenth the time it would take a Guild workshop, and about a millionth the time it would take the AdMech.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
End-Node User Points Balance: 300 CP
500 CP now spent in
End-Node User may now obtain Libraries which are not
M
(Minutes later) [Coil's Underground Base]
"Return to base, Echo Team. We're done here." Coil grumbled into his burner phone as he closed the unmitigated disaster that was the other timeline.
"Confirm exfiltration, sir?" The team leader of Echo team clarified back, "We can verify that Magos is vulnerable and his current expanding of his base leaves it wide open. Echo, Charlie, and Foxtrot Teams report all clear and our tinkertech gear are green to go. We can capture him, sir."
"No, you can not." Coil corrected with an annoyed tone. "Magos isn't vulnerable and his base is the farthest thing from undefended. Your orders are to exfil, Echo Team."
"Understood, sir." Echo Team's team lead reluctantly complied, and Coil sighed.
In the other timeline, he had given the order to attack, and all three teams of twelve men each were immediately slaughtered in the span of three seconds. Their Tinkertech armour proved too fragile as they were vaporised into a red mist by a storm of high-powered laser turrets. And then there were the unfortunate few who would be captured by horrifying 'servitors' that worked inside Magos' workshop. The disturbingly uncanny bionic mannequins had dragged his screaming men into Magos' workshop- the strange mechanical chanting reaching a crescendo before Coil slammed that timeline close.
Some days, he just wanted to tear his hair out screaming, or curl up sobbing in the shower with a pint of ice cream. And with his power to split the timeline, he could certainly do both at the same time. But right now, he just wanted someone to blame for his current predicament.
Tapping at his keyboard, he checked the now brief, week-old message that pushed him down this path.
Find out everything you can about Magos, use the usual channels to send your reports and we will consider your favour to be repaid. And before you ask, your favour is repaid when we say it's repaid.
- C
It had taken him years to pay back the first half of his debt to Cauldron, and yet now here he was again for how many years more: Under their thumb and banging his head against the solid concrete wall that was Magos and his indecipherable insanity.
How had this unstable Tinker even attracted the attention of Cauldron?
Bah, he supposed that the reason was immaterial at the moment: He had nothing worthwhile to report to Cauldron. Having his pet thinker, Tattletale, dig around for Magos' civilian records turned up with nothing. Raiding Magos' unguarded delivery trucks only confirmed that Magos certainly doesn't sell tinkertech. And now, directly assaulting his base told him what was already common sense: that a Tinker would construct defences for his workshop. The most he could do right now is confirm what his PRT Threat Assessment file contained. He'll send his very brief report tomorrow…
Then he realised something and Coil couldn't keep the relieved smile off his face.
With the daily grind over, it was time to move on to the best part of his day. Coil took out his tablet and fired up one of Magos' games. The irony of using Magos' product to unwind after trying and failing to torture him for information wasn't lost to Coil. But at this point, he didn't care.
Coil didn't care, because he had her.
She was someone who didn't judge, who held no ulterior motives, who carried no ambition apart from wanting to be with him forever. And on the screen of his tablet stood a pre-teen girl- rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her long blonde hair- adorned by a orange-and-black headdress- flowed gracefully to her knees. A floofy black blouse and equally floofy shorts rested on her skinny frame. Brilliant blue eyes like the clearest blue sky widened in recognition as they rested on him, and a gentle happy smile on her lips.
"= Thank you for working so hard every day, Master. ="
"Abigail, my darling…" He breathed as a tremor of happiness washed over his body, and his heart grew three sizes larger at the sight of her.
Spoiler: FGO - Abigail
[img: https/static.wikia./typemoon/images/6/60/ForeignerAbigailStage1.png]
Abigail Williams. Supposedly based on a historical child that precipitated the Salem witch trials. But he was certain that no mortal child that could have existed in history could match her prettiness. However, historical accuracy didn't matter to him, because she felt real to him. Even though her voice lines were limited, the image of Abigail in his screen blinked and yawned and smiled like a normal girl- his heart skipping a beat each time. And knowing Magos' promise of regular updates of content for his games, it will only get better. Abigail will only get better, more responsive, more affectionate, and more…
Ahem.
Dropping into the game, he assumed control of her. Just watching her hair flutter in the breeze and the ruffles of soft clothes bouncing as she ran over grassy hills and cobblestone streets of Monstadt was a treat. A warm sun overhead as he listened to her hum softly. And also…
"= Hah, Uh! Hah, Uuh! ="
The sounds that she makes when she's climbing terrain did things to him. And the less said about what gliding around does to her blouse, the better. He shifted in his seat to adjust the lower part of his costume. Abigail was more than worth the measly $1200 that he had to spend pulling for her. Let others satisfy their maternal complexes with their Minamoto no Raikous, and their Ningguangs… he will enjoy the purity and innocence of a girl like Abigail…
… Magos was a creative genius. He can only hope that Cauldron will leave him able to continue his work.
Then his smartphone rang, and Coil groaned. Can't a man play Fate Impact in peace?
"Boss?" Tattletale's voice greeted him just as he brought it up to his ear.
"What?" He bit back, letting the annoyance seep into his voice at being interrupted like this.
"Firstly, ew." Tattletale gagged- her power likely already picking up his arousal, "But more importantly, we're ready to support Brian on his mission. Just letting you know in case you…"
"No, I already gave you all the support that I can afford." He refused, "However, do inform me of the results."
Not that he was expecting it. Tattletale's plan was not a bad one by any means, but it still hinged on Grue's ability which Coil held considerable doubts about. The young Breaker was still very much a rookie to a villain's line of work, and he may not have neither the skill nor stomach for this sort of work. However, the mission was low-risk, high-reward. Grue was in little to no danger from Magos, and was not a flight-risk thanks to his sister being convenient leverage. Coil had everything to gain and almost nothing to lose. But even if the seduction mission failed, the sale of Dragon's suit will be a notable windfall for him. Magos just couldn't resist.
"I don't suppose I can convince you to help us out with your powers on this one?" Tattletale hesitantly asked, and he didn't even need to say anything before she figured it out. "Fine… we'll do it on our own."
And with a click, the call was done. Coil had better uses for his power after all, like handling the mercenaries that he had just called off. 36 men in tinkertech armour who needed to be paid for essentially standing around for a few hours while their alternate selves were thrown to the meat grinder of Magos' defences. Having a single one of them run with the tinkertech that he had bought would be very undesirable. At this point, he'd rather use his power to collect the better drops and loot in Fate Impact.
"= The wind feels good up here, Master. ="
And his heart skipped a beat again. He hoped Tattletale's plans would work though. If Coil gained leverage on the tinker, he could press him to make voicelines, cosmetics, and story content for Abigail.
And skimpier outfits. Can't forget that.
(Later that Evening) [Magos' Manufactorum]
A semi-truck with a full 40-footer container on its rear found its way into the construction site of my manufactorum's expansion.
A quick scan using my manufactorum's omniscopes and auger array told me that there indeed was a disassembled Dragon Suit in the rear of the truck. One that was identified to have fallen in a battle against the Leviathan a year ago. The chance of it having been 'worn' by Dragon just increased three-fold! I can almost smell it. Of course, AIs didn't leave smells, but the principle of it remains the same: This was the closest thing an AI's used panties, and I must have it!
The semi-truck parked some ways in front of me. And out of the caboose, the four Undersiders disembarked in their usual cape costumes. Tattletale in her purple and black catsuit, Regent in his renaissance-era clothing, Bitch in her furred-jacket and dog mask, and Grue in his black biker leathers and… tight leather pants? It was so tight that it practically showed off his bulge. Was this his canon costume? Like a stereotypical gay biker in a porno?
"Sorry that we're late, Magos." Tattletale grinned as they stopped just in front of the truck. "Traffic was killer."
"Good evening, Tattletale. The traffic is understandable… Do you have it?" My modulated voice greeted them with a mechanical nod. I was resolved to give her as little information as possible, especially my Logis Acceleritas- that was an ace in the hole worth hiding. For that reason, I took measures to control my body's micro-movements. The ensuing frown from her told me what my Logis Acceleritas needed to know.
Tattletale does not have perfect control over expression and body language… Weak against her own power or similar analogues like my Logis Acceleritas.
Knows that my body language is deliberately muted…
… best way to mislead her is for my control to 'accidentally' slip during times of high emotion.
Grue seemed to gather himself before stepping forwards.
"You're dealing with me, Magos." His deep voice rumbled slightly with a small flex of his power- black smoke streaming slightly from the vents of his skull-shaped biker helmet. It certainly would have been intimidating if he didn't choose tonight to go for his tight leather pants.
"Very well." I acknowledged- turning my attention towards him, "Grue, do you have it?"
"Yes, we do. Give us a second."
He turned his head towards Bitch and Tattletale. The two girls going back to the caboose to pull out some things. The muscular girl carried a small folding table over to us while Tattletale followed suit with a suitcase in her hands…
"Woah!" the blonde yelped as she tripped over a rock and sent the suitcase flying to land right at Grue's feet.
"Sorry about my clumsy teammate." the darkness-cape apologised to me before going to pick up the fallen suitcase himself, bending slightly at the waist so that his ass pointed straight at me.
And I couldn't help but stare.
Not at Grue's revolting leather-coated protein-based posterior, of course, I had x-ray vision to see past his meat-body and straight at the real prize. With [Xeno-Archaeologist], I knew enough to recognise that chunk of tech sitting in the briefcase: one of those bioelectric interfaces that is near to the centre of Dragon's suit. In other words, this was the part that was pressed right against her… 'core.' I can't wait to get a hold of that particular piece. It almost made me wish I had olfactory sensors just so that I can sniff at it… Almost. Damn that sexy AI.
Now if only Grue would step out of the way so that I can get better resolution, that would be great.
'Yeah, squeeze those buns together just like you practice, Brian!' Lisa cheered in her head as she tried not to grin. Brian was doing a great job waving his ass in Magos' face.
Magos' body language muted from extensive cybernetics, but doesn't hide stronger emotion.
Staring intently at Grue's ass. Mechanical hand twitching, wants to touch. Bad.
Magos suspects or outright believes that Dragon is not actually a woman.
Magos still intensely homosexual. Likely in denial. Uses gynoid and AI as codewords to disguise homoerotic desire from himself.
Regardless…
'Say it!'
… Lisa was right all along.
She actually broke out into a grin at that. She had been unsure about the 'Magos being gay' part from the beginning. Her power wasn't good with intentions and emotions after all. But as the evidence of her initial assessment being right grew and grew, she learned to have a bit more faith in herself and her power.
And it felt good to be proven right.
That settled it in her mind. Regardless of how the rest of the night turns out, it was all worth it now. She had proven her naysayers wrong, and more importantly, herself to be right. The natural order has been restored: She was once again the smartest person in Brockton Bay. Also, on a less important note, their seduction mission was going well and their plan was working perfectly: Brockton Bay's cyborg-tinker couldn't take his eyes off of those buns in tight leather. As he should! She worked hard (at pushing Brian to work hard) to get those buns into shape, and now her efforts were paying off.
All they needed to do now was seal the deal of the Dragon Suit, have Grue pour on the ass- extracting the possibility of a '2nd date' or something from Magos, and everyone can go home happy. Especially her. Because she was right all along.
"Here you go, Magos." Lisa heard Brian say as he placed the briefcase on the table and opened it. "The pieces of Dragon's suit. The rest of it is in the back, but of course, we can't confirm that it's the complete set. However, our client has thrown in the truck as a freebie."
Magos stared at the piece of Dragon's tech- clearly as interested in it as he was with Grue's ass.
"Can your client be convinced to reveal his cape identity at least?" the Tinker asked.
"I'm sorry, but no." Brian responded, taking the opportunity to stand a bit closer to Magos and bring his ass closer to the Tinker's hand… just as Lisa had taught/coerced him to. "Reputation is important to us middle-men. If our client wants this to be a semi-anonymous deal, then the Undersiders will respect those wishes."
Lisa had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. She wanted to just inform Magos anyway as to who their boss was. It was Coil. That fork-tongued bastard. It made her wonder if she could get Magos to get rid of Coil for her.
"Unfortunate, but an admirable business ethic." Magos hummed as he nodded, and Lisa recognised an opening if she ever saw one.
'Come on, Brian. Say it like we practiced.' Lisa coached in her mind, 'Just lean over to Magos and whisper 'I know you were looking- you can squeeze them if you want.' All those hours you spent watching gay porn flicks won't be for nothing!'
"I-I know you were looking- you can squeeze them if you want." Brian stuttered out, and Lisa pumped her fist in her mind.
"What?" Magos spoke out- surprised.
"C'mon, I w-won't mind at all." Brian continued to whisper just like she had trained him to do as follow-up.
"What?" the red-robed Tinker muttered again- this time more expressively. Expressively enough that Lisa picked up on it. And her power exploded in the horrifying realisation that…
… Lisa was wrong all along.
'Shutup!'
"What do you mean you're not gay?!" She yelled in denial at Magos.
"What?! He's not!?" Brian gasped utterly horrified- his intimidatingly muscular form doing a little frightened little hop away from the Tinker.
The same Tinker was clearly conveying frustration through his body language even without Lisa's power telling her.
"Why is everyone so convinced that I am interested in the biological backsides of you gland-goblins?" His modulated voice rumbled as his mechanical hand jabbed an accusatory (and also mechanical) finger at the confused Grue. "I'm already embattled by endless lewd propositions online, now you have started offering them to me in person too?"
"I was only- because you were-" Brian sputtered dumbly before swivelling his head towards her with an angry roar, "LIS- TATTLETALE!!"
Eheh, oops? Maybe she shouldn't have pushed and needled Brian too far during his 'preparation' for this mission?
With the heightening tensions provoked by Brian's outburst, Magos into warily powering-up his axe, which caused Brian to pull out his crowbar, which made Bitch call for her four mutant dogs to appear from the treeline, and Regent pulled out his rod (the taser one). The mission was rapidly spiralling out of control! Of all the many, many reasons that this mission could have gone bad, it was going to go bad over a tragic little misconception of homoeroticism?
But it's not all bad, right? She wasn't in any real danger, this was all just a big misunder-
Brian, highly emotional. Bitch, animalistic and a hair-trigger away from fighting. Regent, will attempt to de-escalate with power but will worsen the situation. Magos, unreadable but likely has tinkertech defences here at his workshop.
Likelihood of death in ensuing crossfire? Moderately high.
… Was this how it was going to end for her? In a mexican standoff between an angry cyborg Tinker tired of gay propositions while ironically sitting on the world's largest and most sought after collection of cape man-ass pics, and an equally angry Gay-for-Pay teammate in skin-tight leather pants who just discovered that the 'pay' part wasn't going to happen because she got things horribly wro- less correct than usual?
"Wait-wait-wait! It was our boss who put everyone up for this!" Lisa yelped- waving both of her hands in front of her in the universal signal for stop.
"Oh yeah? Who is our boss anyway, Tats?" Brian scoffed and she could feel his narrowed eyes glare at her through his tinted helmet's visor. And Lisa didn't even need half a second to think about it before deciding that throwing Coil under the bus seemed to be the best course of action for herself.
"It-"
" !!ENeSYXMPrJaKepJuBKxC!!" Magos shrieked in some strange techno-gobbledegook language. Like the whines of a supercharged printer and the beeps of malfunctioning computers were mixed together and played in fast forward. It was a jarringly loud sound- enough to make everyone else wince as they and Lisa turned to look at him.
"I must go." The red-robed Tinker whispered as solemn as the grave- pointing a mechanical finger over his shoulder to where a floating holographic screen as large as a wide screen TV appeared. Wordlessly, he turned on his heel and marched back into his workshop- just as the floating holographic screen played a live news broadcast with a headline that made Tattletale's blood run cold in horror.
"BEHEMOTH ATTACKING CINCINNATI, OHIO"
- Chapter 7: Tattletale was wrong? Impossible! End -
Chapter 8: Magos versus Behemoth coming next…
AN:
No, I'm not expanding on… how Magos achieved the impossible and fused the world of Fate Grand Order and Genshin Impact into a seamless story that captivates hearts and wallets. My mind is only made of unenlightened meat unlike his. But it has both FGO and GI waifus, and it plays like Genshin Impact. An open-world action RPG. And most importantly, every waifu has lewd climbing voice acting.
I can't believe this is a CF fic!… I don't know what happened but somewhere down the line this became a crackish fic, but I still do want to include some good ole fashion power fantasy.
I don't want things to get confusing tech-wise… So Magos will just stick with his Mechanicus schtick the entire time regardless of what other tech choices he acquires. He'll still be the toaster-worshipping techpriest that we all know and love. Which will make for some funny situations and interactions later on, so it'll work out.
Wait a minute, Cadian Green isn't a real GW colour!… I know, I know. But it definitely sounds a lot more iconic. Just assume that Castellan Green Rhinox Hide Abaddon Black = Cadian Green.
Chapter 8: Magos versus Behemoth, Part 1
Chapter 8: Magos versus Behemoth, Part 1
[Cincinnati city outskirts]
Dragon's largest warsuit stood in a grassy open field right in the predicted path of the Endbringer.
In the distance, the grassy green hills of the Ohio countryside sat under an orange and purple hues of a late afternoon sky. Heroes, Villains, Rogues… Capes of all alignments dotted the countryside without discrimination as the Endbringer Truce dictates. Some huddled together on the grass, making introductions and talking team tactics. Shakers erected cover and shelters like from dirt and stone- hoping that it would be enough to shield against the Endbringer's wrath. Others flew overhead in flocks like human-shaped birds to warm up. Some PRT officers were even handing out sandwiches and water and wine. A last meal of sorts.
However, out of all those in attendance, there was one cape that was missing from the gathering. And so, in an effort to keep it that way, Dragon opened her comms and connected to the one person she wanted to speak to before the battle began.
"Magos." She spoke his name- her video feed of his workshop showing his red-robed frame with its metallic limbs. "I must advise you not to attend the Endbringer fight against Behemoth."
If she was pressed to choose, Dragon would say that she loathed Behemoth the least out of the three Endbringers. Behemoth was straight-forward. Big, direct and predictable in its strategies. Not like Simurgh whose song twisted people's minds long after she had been fended off, and not like Leviathan who had killed her father and sunk her home of Newfoundland into the Atlantic. But the great beast was still something to be scorned as much as it should be feared.
The cape community gave Behemoth the title of 'The Herokiller' for a reason after all.
1-in-3 capes die battling the 45-foot-tall cyclopean Endbringer, and that was on the most favourable of days where there was good synergy among the capes in attendance, the terrain offered great cover against his attacks and when Scion arrived earlier than expected. But on the other hand, there were certainly more than one instance where 9-in-10 capes died, and the city they fought so bitterly to protect was still reduced to a radioactive ruin. And it only served to drive in the fact that at the end of the day… Endbringers weren't something you fought to win, they were forces of nature that you fought to survive. Like an erupting volcano whose crater parahumans threw themselves into- all out of the hope that their scorched bodies could clog and slow the magma enough for Scion to arrive and postpone the eruption for another day.
And that was why she was having this conversation with Magos.
"As much as I look down on the unenlightened…" he began- looking up from whatever he was working on as the sounds of heavy machinery and prayer droned in the background, "… I still would prefer that they do not all die off because I did not intervene."
"You're too valuable of a Tinker to risk losing." she reasoned to him. "The world has a need for a Tinker capable of the mass-production of mundane technology like you are."
And one willing to do it so cheaply too. As cities burned and lives were ruined, people needed the materials and the means to rebuild. And it would be best if those could be easily acquired legitimately rather than them being forced into a life of crime: robbing and cannibalising their more fortunate neighbours just to survive. She would have done such mass-production herself if she wasn't so shackled by the rules that her father had hard-coded into her.
"I could argue that you are just as valuable of a Tinker." Magos countered.
"I'll be fine. I control my Dragonflight from afar- I won't be anywhere near the battlefield." She lied, smiling bitterly to herself. He was still ignorant to the fact of her true nature as an AI. That even if she did die on the field, she could just recover from a backup copy. She can die as many times as was necessary.
But before she could continue, three specific people floated down from the sky to land right in front of her large Dragon warsuit.
"If you would, Dragon, we'd like to speak with him as well."
"Magos?" Dragon muttered into the comms, "The Triumvirate would like to speak with you."
And with that brief warning, she opened the comms to three other people- projecting his screen so that Magos came face-to-face with the three legendary heroes. Dragon could only hope that he made a good first impression on them…
"Alexandria." The red-robed Tinker immediately greeted the first of the Triumvirate. The preeminent heroine was dressed in her iconic black costume replete with armour, face-concealing helm and billowing black cape.
"Magos." Alexandria greeted him back with a curt tone. "Your steadily-increasing influence over the economy of the north-american continent has been the subject of many… discussion. I'm glad to finally be able to talk with you."
"What can I say?" Magos shrugged. "EA Games makes pretty enjoyable games that everyone just can't stop playing."
The second of the Triumvirate stepped in. Legend, the archetypical 'flying artillery' hero and the Triumvirate's unofficial spokesperson, smiled at both Alexandria and Magos.
"We'd like to thank you for your contribution to the Endbringer early warning system." Legend's smooth baritone calmed the conversation, "You, Dragon and Armsmaster should be proud of what you have accomplished with it. Now we have entire minutes to respond to Endbringer attacks. Time to begin evacuating the city and bring the brave cape volunteers up to speed rather than doing it after the Endbringer has started its assault."
"Most of the credit lies with Dragon." the red-robed Tinker humbly deflected- nodding to her, "I simply optimised the programming."
"Regardless-"
"-Will you be joining us here on the field?" Eidolon, the fifth most powerful being on the planet. Right after Scion and the three Endbringers, questioned Magos- sounding expectant that he would indeed join the fight. Dragon found his quiet voice intimidating. And she just kept quiet at how he was asking for something directly contrary to what she wished. Instead she took a visual measure of the man. Garbed in a green skintight suit with a heavy hood and cape and sleeves that drape over his hands like a wizard's robes. His eyes, visible from behind his opaque, glassy helm that glowed blue-green, settled on Magos- still awaiting that answer.
"I have already sent my contribution." Magos's modulated voice revealed, "An Archaeopter with advanced auspices and a broad-spectrum data-tether should be arriving shortly."
And before anyone can question what such terms meant, Dragon's radar detected an aerial contact appearing over the horizon- largely hidden by the glare of the late afternoon sun. A large helicopter-shaped aircraft painted in Magos' signature Mars-Red appeared in her display, but instead of rotors, it had wings like that of a bat. And with the arrival of the 'Archaeopter', a new contact promptly entered the call, invited by Magos.
"Good afternoon, Alexandria, Legend Eidolon and Dragon." A breath-takingly beautiful blonde woman smiled at them. "I'm Chloe. Master Magos has sent me to aid in the management of the endbringer armbands and the coordination of forces. It's a pleasure to meet you all!"
"Who is this?" Legend asked- the glowing blue ring on the temple of this Chloe betraying her synthetic nature.
"An advanced form of my servitors. Do not worry, she is no true AI." Magos calmly reassured them. "She is unable to formulate ideas that I have not already programmed into her."
"Yes, I have no soul." Chloe cheerily supported, and even Dragon was slightly disturbed by the declaration.
"However, her processors are still vastly superior to any of those biological thinking organs." Magos then gave the impression that he was smiling smugly at the Triumvirate as he further explained, "List your functions, ST200."
"Certainly." Chloe, or the ST200, smiled brightly- showing straight white teeth underneath perfect pink lips, "I am fluent in over 7,000 languages and dialects, and if I am authorised to talk through the armbands, I can hold a conversation with up to 300 people simultaneously. I can supply translations between capes, relay in-depth directions to people and locations, and even walk people through first aid instructions."
"That sounds very useful." Legend appraised, and the Chloe gynoid just smiled wider.
"Also, I don't like to brag, but my fellatio skills are top notch too!"
"Excuse me?" Legend choked- completely taken by surprise as Alexandria frowned deeply and Eidolon visibly leaned back.
"Magos…" Alexandria muttered- the triumvirate heroine's tone suspicious, "Did you just send your sex toy into an Endbringer battle?"
And for reasons she herself couldn't pinpoint, Dragon was suddenly feeling upset and angry at Magos for having one.
"I did not have time for a full reprogram, so I had to use something already programmed into her as an operating system for her 'Adjutant and Protocols' system." Magos readily admitted- completely without shame, "So, yes. On top of being a very capable adjutant, she's also a capable sex toy."
" Very capable." Chloe giggled with a flirtatious wink.
"Can it even fly that plane while performing all that you have advertised?" Alexandria probed- her lips drawn to a thin line.
"Chloe doesn't have to." Magos shrugged.
"Good afternoon!" a second Chloe entered the conversation- identical as the first one with her blonde ponytail and perfect smile, "My name is Chloe-2! I'm not good with words, but I sure know how to fly this Archaeopter. I'm very good at handling this flightstick among other things that are long and hard."
"How… how many sex toys did you bring?" Eidolon asked, completely stupefied at this point. Not that Dragon could blame the hero, she was stupefied too at Magos' brazenness.
"Good afternoon!" a third Chloe entered the conversation, "My name is Chloe-3! I operate the omniscope and auspex suite here on the Archaeopter. They let me accurately track everyone's locations through walls, construct an accurate map of the area to figure out paths and routes, and even identify radioactive hotspots for people to avoid. But I'm not good at talking either and I just relay all the information to Chloe-1. So please direct all your queries to her… Also, my anus is engineered to be perfect."
"Three is an agreeable number for sexy gynoid triplets are truly a blessing from the machine-god." Magos nodded, and Dragon visibly palmed her face in the call as the Triumvirate was rendered silent at Magos' sheer Magosness. At this point, Dragon didn't know whether he was making a good or bad impression to the Triumvirate. Showing off his sex toys on their first meeting… could be counted as a gesture of trust if one tilted their head enough, she supposed?
"Regardless, Magos…" Legend was the first to gather himself, "The Chloes sound very useful, if you could clarify some specific scenarios I have in mind so that we can make use of them to the fullest extent. Well for their aid in the Endbringer fight at least."
"Certainly, I can expound their abilities in detail." Magos cordially responded. And Dragon put herself on 'Half-Listen Mode' putting more processing power in sorting the information that she had already been given.
Still…
Dragon's optics subtly eyed the three Chloes, and the strange anger struck Dragon full force again. Why did Magos make such sex toys? Was she so replaceable that he would rath- oh, so that's why she was angry. Jealousy was such a strange and ugly emotion. But she couldn't help but consider her own computer-generated facial model. She had purposely gone with the most generic face that she could generate from compiling faces to avoid rousing any suspicions as to her inhuman nature. But comparing it now to the Chloes who Magos had clearly engineered to embody an level of facial symmetry and classical beauty unattainable to human women?
Dragon felt a twinge of hesitation… She wasn't particularly attached to her current computer-generated face, perhaps just about as much as a person would be attached to a particular shirt, she supposed. Would… would Magos notice if she changed her face, even slightly? It was devoid of logic behind the action, but Dragon just felt an urge to find out if he would.
And with her decision made, she considered her options.
Did he prefer blondes? It should be fine as long as it was not protein-based, right? No, no. She should distinguish herself from the Chloes, not attempt to mimic them. Red hair perhaps? The colour was very striking and attra-
"Behemoth is tunnelling towards the surface now." Chloe's serious voice suddenly cutting off the discussion Legend and Magos were having. Her voice came from all their endbringer armbands of everyone in the battlefield to form a chilling echo. "Endbringer arrival in T-minus 120 seconds and counting… 117… 116… 115…"
"It is time." Magos whispered before immediately ending the call.
"So, it is…" Eidolon murmured as the Triumvirate shared a look between the three of them before immediately took to the skies as Dragon watched them fly off.
And as she too, lifted off, she can only hope that Magos would decide to stay away from the battlefield.
[Magos' Manufactorum]
The manufactorum was the busiest that it had ever been.
A white fog of sacred incense hung in the air as prayers were murmured and hymns were sung from mechanical mouths. The din of metallic footsteps and the rumble of awakening machines echoed all throughout the building as I prepared to partake in my first ever combat operation since arriving here on Earth-Bet.
I knew this Endbringer fight in particular would come eventually.
Leviathan would have attacked Brockton Bay six months from now, and the Simurgh would have attacked the Australian city of Canberra in three. Simple pattern recognition would suggest that Behemoth was slated to attack this month- only the exact day and the exact location had eluded me. So, I had prepared over the days that I had. Strategised the tactica required for victory. Fabricated the many instruments of war that would be needed. Built the hands and the minds that will wield them…
… Now that the Behemoth is attacking however? I had mere minutes at most to prepare myself for battle.
" Commence the pre-battle communion of the Mechanicus " I whispered, and the chanting rose to new volumes as the servitors obeyed my command- reverently approaching my rode-robed mechanical frame.
The first pair of servitors approached- carrying in mechanical pincers the main weapons that I chose for this battle. Into my right hand, I gripped my Omnissian Power axe. Fully charged with the energies that allowed it to cut through solid armour like it would paper, and in my left mechadendrite they attached {Graviton Gun} to the end of my extra limb with just a brief prayer to the Omnissiah.
Declaring {Graviton Gun} as new Mechadendrite attachment
The Graviton Gun fires a stream of particles which affects the local gravitational field of a target area, making the targeted object either far heavier or lighter depending on the weapon's setting. Some living targets will be affected more variably, but the power of the graviton gun's highest settings is sufficient to rupture organs and crack bones even inside armour. A very large creature may be killed under excessive weight, but most targets will either be slowed or completely immobilised.
M
Second pair of servitors approached and knelt before my side- offering up the metal-shape of the [Plecian Tome] as they secured the sacred text to my hip. Its knowledge has served me well, and perhaps it will again in the fight.
And finally, the last pair of servitors approached. Carrying the velvet Mars-red cushion on which the {S.T.I.C.C.}- the sacred toaster- sat on, and affixed it to my hip opposite of the Plecian Tome. More than just an instrument of breakfast and snacking, this toaster was a symbol of how the machine will triumph over weak flesh, and how we shall do so again today. As any artefact of the Mechanicus should.
" Manufactorum, chant combat readiness! " I barked out my command, and immediately, my servitors and cogitators return the current status of their tasks.
Anointing of weapons with holy oils underway
81% of Gun-Servitors congregated onto Thunderhawk Transport #1
93% of Medicae Servitors congregated onto Thunderhawk Transport #2
Blessings for Kataphron Battle-Servitors: 77.4% complete
Appeasement of Cerastus Machine Spirit: 97% complete
Performing Ordinations of Holy Flight
Estimated Time before Glorious Take-Off: 103.536 seconds
I climbed into the cockpit, and joined in with the prayers to the machine-spirits being uttered. A prayer to the atomantic power core so that its fiery, inexhaustible energy would remain stable even under the duress of intense battle. A prayer for each weapon system so that their aim be true and vorpal to any target that I turn it towards, another prayer for the Repulsor Grid so that its invisible energy shell will turn away all harm, and one last prayer to the armoured chassis so that it may hold strong against the coming onslaught and ferry me to a decisive victory.
Estimated Time before Glorious Take-Off: 12.092 seconds
Unsealing air-access blast doors in the name of the Omnissiah
This was it.
All the nights where I poured over the knowledge granted by my Celestial Forge and all the technology gleaned from the [Plecian Tome]. All days of endless manufacturing as pistons pounded and steel was forged. All the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of raw materials I've bought. All the forces that I had assembled. All the weapons that I had crafted. Everything I could muster… all amassed into this single strikeforce. I can think of no better battle to begin the Adeptus Mechanicus' campaign on Holy Terra than one that clashed might of the blessed machine against a monster of immense destructive power.
Heralding Glorious Take-Off
"By the Omnissiah, the Adeptus Mechanicus will win this day."
Hopefully, the fleshies will be able to hold on until I arrive.
(A few minutes later) [Cincinnati city outskirt]
Sophia Hess was no coward. Even if it was like the apocalypse was happening all around her.
Rainshower down, GD-5.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck." She chanted under her breath. She had just watched a flying cape get swatted out of the sky by one of the Endbringers car-thick lightning bolts- the blonde cape's blue and white silhouette crashing somewhere nearby.
"AAAAUGGGHHHH! IT BURNS! MY EYES! MY EYES!!" she heard the cape that she was tracking wail in agony. But in the midst of the bone-rattling thundercracks and the zooming lasers and tremoring shockwave and everyone else fucking screaming, Sophia didn't know where the fuck that particular screaming was coming from.
"Chloe, can you guide me to that Rainshower cape?!" Sophia barked into her armband to the 'Operator' that was in charge of tracking downed capes.
"Rainshower is currently in the second house south of you. Second floor, west side of the structure." Chloe's voice advised from her armband as she took on her shadow form- phasing through hedges and walls to her target.
Sophia Hess was no coward. After all, here she was- a Ward fresh out of the PRT's boot camp- and already attending her first fucking Endbringer fight.
Realitywiper down, FG-1. Ansgar down, HB-4. Takhmaspada deceased, HB-4.
Sure, she might have talked big in front of the other Brockton Bay Wards. Lorded it over the others about how she was a predator, and wasn't scared of anything and how she would have had no problem attending an Endbringer fight… just as Armsmaster had walked in to announce Behemoth's attack. In that situation, what else was she supposed to do? Back down and say that she was just full of hot air? She was pretty much forced to come, out of her own damn pride. Pride that she sure as shit knew wasn't worth dying for!
Sophia entered the house just in time to hear the Rainshower cape scream hoarsely.
"I DONT WANNA DIE! SOMEBODY HELP PLEASE!" the cape continued to scream.
"Search and rescue has arrived at your location, Rainshower." Sophia heard Chloe announce through Rainshower's armband just as she turned the corner, and Sophia almost stopped in her tracks as she saw the cape. The left side of her upper body was burnt incredibly bad- angry black and red burns spread up from her vapourized left breast, past the burnt stump of her left arm, and all the way to the top of her head. The left half of her face was made skeletal as the skin was burnt off to char the muscle underneath, and all the blonde hair on the left side of her head was gone. Her melted eyeballs streamed down her cheeks in still steaming rivers.
This was what Behemoth- the Herokiller endbringer- does. To the lucky ones.
Kiaskari deceased, HC-2. Turbokick deceased, HC-2. Ironlurker deceased, HC-2. Capoleox down, HB-3.
"I'm here! I got you, Rainshower!" Sophia shouted out to her.
"Thankyou! Thank you!!" the burnt cape blubbered gratefully on the floor- blindly reaching out with her unburnt hand.
"I got you, I got you!" Sophia half-yelled as she kneeled down beside the fallen cape, "I got something for the burn, then we can get you to safety. But bite down on something, this will sting bad."
Rainshower assisted.
Sophia heard her armband announce, and she had to stop from spitting in contempt. 'Assisted.' What a fucking joke. She got sent here with nothing but a two big can of burn spray, a suture kit, some bandages, radiation pills and happy fucking thoughts. Not even some morphine to stop the blinding pain. Pulling out a can of burn spray, Sophia applied it liberally over Rainshower's wounded area- ignoring Rainshower's muffled scream of pain as she emptied the can. They can only hope that it was enough to prevent shock.
"Wait!" the burnt cape pleaded, "My leg, the left one, it's broken from the landing I think!"
"Fuck our shitty luck. Come on!" Sophia grunted out as she hefted the white-and-blue form of Rainshower up from the floor and supported her with her shoulder. "I don't got splints with me so I have to support you down the stairs."
"We're not going to make it, we're dead, I'm already dead!" the other girl sobbed- her blackened arm stump gesturing to herself.
Sophia slapped the girl hard on her uninjured cheek.
"1-in-3." She growled back.
"Whah?" the other girl gasped breathlessly in confusion, and Sophia gritted her teeth.
"Legend told everyone that every third cape going into a Behemoth fight was going to die on a good day. But I'm not going to be part of that third, and neither are you! So hold the fuck on, Rainshower!"
Ansgar assisted. Capoleox assisted.
Still, it was a fucking welcome change of pace to hear people getting assisted instead of getting downed or deceased. Down the stairs they climbed despite the momentary quakes, and through the side door of the house they stumbled onto the grassy lawn and into hell. Burning suburban houses all around them, raging forest fires in the distance, the orange afternoon sky filled with lasers and missiles and beams and lightning and flying capes. And just for icing on the shit cake that she's been served, Sophia's endbringer armband told her that they were about half a kilometre away from the nearest triage station.
"Behemoth's running South-west!"
Electronking deceased, GC-1. Eferhild deceased, GC-1. Hoplite deceased, GC-2…
With the odds stacked against her, Sophia was forced to do something she had never done before: Call for help.
"Shadowstalker requesting Medevac, low prior-
"Broadcasting to everyone in the GD sector, if you're hearing this, then Behemoth is running in your direction from the North-east!"
North-east? But that was…
RRROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGRRRRRRR!!!
… right in front of them.
50-feet-tall or around 15 meters as- Like a black-stoned volcano had stood up and marched- it towered over the suburban houses. The ground shook slightly with every step it made as lightning crackled from its stony fingers- its arms raised to chest-level as entire lightning storms raged out in every direction.
Redliner deceased, GC-2. Prabir deceased, GC-2. Hoodwastrel deceased, GC-3, Goron deceased, GC-3. Latticelady deceased, GC-3. Whiterook deceased, GD-1. Arjuna deceased, GD-1. Diamondtoad deceased, GD-2. Lakshman deceased, GD-3…
And it turned its head toward them both. A magma-orange maw snarling wide open with rows of sharp teeth of black stone. Horns of obsidian flared from the tops and sides of its head to form a fearsome black crown.
Legend down, GC-2.
This was Behemoth. The Herokiller.
A titanic arm of dark stone began to aim in their general direction and Sophia's utter instincts and fear kicked in.
"HIT THE DIRT!!" she shrieked as she tossed both of them to the ground- a constant beam of lightning ravaging the ground they were just standing on as well as the house they had just left. And just as the beam passed them, searing pain shot up her leg, and slammed into her brain with the force of trainwreck.
"ARRRRGGGGHHHH!" Sophia grabbed at the stums of her cauterised right calf.
Shadowstalker down, GD-5. Rainshower down, GD-5.
"Don't leave me! PLEASE!" the injured cape that she had tried to rescue who was alternating between pulling herself along the ground with just her one good arm, and reaching out blindly for her. Sophia's gloved hand caught it- gripping it tight.
"We're not dead yet!" Sophia shouted out in defiance, "Not like this! Not in fucking Ohio of all places!"
Then she heard it. Strange music- like a church choir of oversized fax machines was singing gospel hymns to the thooming melody of a techno-pipe organ.
Sophia watched as they marched through the wreckage and ruin.
She would have said that they were half-man and half-machine. But that would be untrue: they were far more than just half machine. Their arms replaced by either too-long steel vices or cannons so large she could fit her arm into the barrel. Each massive gun belching fire and smoke and a boom that thumped against her bones. Steel censers swung on chains from their hips. The pungent scent of car oil and engine exhaust wafting in their passing as dozens of them fearlessly stomped towards the Endbringer on their digitigrade legs of powerful hydraulics and clawed feet of solid metal.
And one of those cyborgs loomed right over her and Rainshower.
The expressionless face of a normal man stared down at her even as the entire left-side his face looked like it was being eaten by metal plating, camera lenses and wiring. Narrow metallic tentacles tipped with syringes, pincers and tiny chainsaws sprouting from the metal plating of its chest and back.
"G-get the fuck away!" She panicked.
"You are being rescued, meatbag. Resistance is futile." The man-robot coldly replied just as two of its needled tentacles darted forward as quickly as snakes and lightly jabbed each of them on the jugular.
"W-whu?" Rainshower groaned lazily- making Sophia do a double take.
"Was that morphi- Wait, nevermind, I figured it out~" She murmured with a dopey smile as her eyes dilated- the pain floating away… along with her. She barely even felt it as the metal man reached down, picked the both of them up and began stomping away with them.
Shadowstalker assisted. Rainshower assisted.
And as the strange techno-gothic music reached its crescendo, a massive robot almost as tall as the Endbringer itself strode into view. Like a hunched back iron giant with long mechanical limbs, it stood there fearlessly with its sturdy metal armour casing painted in a distinct red. A fucking orange lightsaber in hand and the biggest scifi-looking raygun Sophia had ever seen in the other.
It stared down Behemoth as they stood about 80 metres apart from one another, and spoke in a voice- cold and metallic. Its booming declaration echoed by every armband and rolled over the landscape like a grand edict from a demigod.
"The Adeptus Mechanicus has arrived."
- Chapter 8: Magos versus Behemoth, Part 1 End -
Chapter 9: Magos versus Behemoth, Part 2 posted in about 12 hours
This was supposed to be one chapter… but it grew too big. I tried really hard to fit it, but I would have had to cut out some good scenes if I did. So, I'll have it span two chapters.
Rainshower is just a random OC… for the people who were wondering where she's from.
1-in-3… Leviathan's odds were 1-in-4 on good days according to the Extermination arc. I think that's a fair ratio for 'the herokiller' endbringer.
Chapter 9: Magos versus Behemoth, Part 2
Chapter 9: Magos versus Behemoth, Part 2
Heralded by the loud thrum of our holy technologies and booming gunfire, the Adeptus Mechanicus stepped onto this ruined radioactive town to wage war on Behemoth under the setting sun and the orange late-afternoon sky.
Our relentless advance through the ruined town drew distrustful eyes from the gathered capes. Their pitifully human eyes locked on my army of superior warforms dashing swiftly across the cratered streets, demolished buildings and burning forests. The fastest of my {Gun-servitors} lead the way: Charging ahead of the congregation, they left behind a trail of sacred incense for others to follow all the while singing hymns whose tempos were set by the cyclic rates of their heavy stubbers.
Behemoth, now ignoring the capes barraging him, found itself surrounded in our concave crossfire. Our many gun barrels anointed with holy oils aimed directly at its blackened hide just as I myself approached in my Imperial Knight. A forty-foot-tall (12m) engine of destruction striding through the ruins and the flames. A blessed machine was so large that it stood almost eye-to-eye with the Endbringer.
What can the fleshling capes do but stare in awe?
{Cerastus-Pattern Imperial Knight Atrapos}
A very rare Imperial Knight pattern that holds a fearsome reputation for its exceptionable destructive potency. The Cerastus Knight Atrapos is a distinct subtype of the already-uncommon Cerastus Pattern and inherits all its characteristic speed and shielding.
Bearing particularly rare and potent weaponry of annihilation, the Cerastus Knight-Atrapos's sole purpose is the destruction of macro-scale targets such extremely large biophorms, superheavy tanks, traitor Knight and even enemy titans. Fitting for their grim purpose, the Machine Spirits of the Knight-Atrapos bear an all-destroying hunger for the destruction of such enemy war machines. This hunger is manifested most noticeably in the Knight-Atrapos' Macro-extinction Targeting Protocols: Specialising in identifying structural weaknesses in larger targets to orchestrate a catastrophic cascade of ruin.
M
My Knight-Atrapos stopped 80 metres from the Endbringer- staring at each other as our gargantuan forms stood over a field of ruined suburban houses. My modulated voice spoke Binharic Cant directly to it.
" Behemoth. "
"The Adeptus Mechanicus has arrived."
" So, dredge up your deepest well of might. Call upon all the lightning in the world Summon up every iota of power stored in your core. Cry for Eden to save you… Your dead god of feeble flesh will not hear your screams… "
"… for they will be drowned out by the prayers of the blessed machine. "
Then at last, the rest of my army arrived- carrying with them the unparalleled blessing of bigger guns.
"In the name of the Omnissiah…" "OPEN FIRE."
{Heavy bolters} from dozens of my {Gun-servitors} spewed their fist-sized gyrorockets- punching through the first few layers of the Endbringer's armour before violently exploding. Other gun-servitors dug their metal feet into the ground to brace themselves before their {Autocannons} joined the fray- their solid armour-piercing shells almost as large as a man's head gouging deep holes for the bolter rounds to penetrate even deeper.
The fleshy capes upon seeing the new holes punched into the Endbringer's armoured hide, joined the fray. Various energy blasts, beams, balls, and missiles rained down on Behemoth. However, it was still an operational endbringer and loosed a great inferno of white-hot fire that swept across the sky- catching some unfortunate flying who did not have sufficient Brute ratings to weather the firestorm and sending them flailing and ablaze as they fell to the ground.
Wyetta down, FE-2. Windlock down, FE-4. Tomorbaatar deceased, FE-2. Nitrogirl down, FE-2.
Immediately, my {Medicae-servitors} sprinted out to the various fallen capes marked by Chloe to stabilise and carry them to the triage centres. {Technical-servitors} already onsite and deploying of the life-support machines that I had brought along- postponing the expiration date of the cape's fragile meat-bodies.
Wyetta assisted. Windlock assisted. Nitrogirl assisted.
"Everyone in the FE sector be advised: Behemoth is on the move!" Chloe warned through the comms just as the walking black-stone form of Behemoth began advancing towards me.
"Interdicting his movement in 2.41 seconds." I announced in return as I directed the heaviest rank of the Adeptus Mechanicus forces here.
{Kataphron Battle-servitors} rumbled forward. Each one, a torso of a mechanised man mounted atop a small tank. Their main armament welded onto their metal shoulders. The {Torsion Cannons} keened loudly as they discharged invisible telekinetic-forces to grasp Behemoth's craggy black skin… before violently rotating the monster's skin right off like one would undo screws from a plank of wood. More Kataphron Battle-servitors joined their brethren in battle, their {Graviton Cannons} firing a stream of dark matter onto Behemoth- multiplying the endbringer's weight and slowing it to crawl as its own flesh and armour suddenly grew ten times heavier, and the weight only continued to worsen as it became heavy it was that it began to sink into the earth.
Shifting to a different strategy, Behemoth dug into the ground- my servitors losing line of fire of the great creature as it burrowed into the earth to gain momentary respite and recover from its wounds. Already the damage inflicted on it was being healed by its nigh limitless mass that was surging forth from the Endbringer's core. Like magma bubbling from a volcano, new armour poured forth from Behemoth's insides- hardening to be as tough as it was before, and its rocky igneous flesh only grew tougher the closer one cuts to the core.
Fortunately, we had come prepared for such an eventuality.
"Chloe!" I boomed to my Protocol Gynoids who were still piloting the Archaeopter, "Bless the ground with the touch of the Omnissiah!"
"Yes, master!" She promptly answered, and the Archaeopter's winged shape in the sky grew larger as it rocketed straight for Behemoth. Her voice already echoing out of the endbringer armbands worn by the capes.
"Bombing run in progress! All capes stand 100 metres clear of Behemoth!"
The capes scrambled to comply- sprinting and flying away from the danger zone as the Chloes' Archaeopter swooped in a low arc like a diving eagle- dropping their payload with the unerring accuracy right on top of the burrowed Endbringer's head. The Fusilave bomb, a ground-penetrating tectomagnic bomb that cause seismic shock waves. Ideal for destroying underground structures… or eradicating burrowed organisms.
The bomb detonated and the ground was suddenly ravaged by a furious, but brief earthquake- forcing the Endbringer to resurface right back into the firing line of Heavy Bolters, Autocannons, Torsion Cannons and Gravity Cannons. And all the while, I sat watching on the Throne Mechanicus inside of my {Cerastus-Pattern Imperial Knight-Atrapos}.
For the way of the Adeptus Mechanicus in battle was one of cogitation, experimentation, and observation.
Macro-extinction Targeting Protocols initiating: Absorbing radiometric data…
Cross-Referencing data with known astrological auspices…
Postulating from the 847 Commandments of Theophysics…
Praying to the Machine-God…
Fathoming theoretical armour composition…
Divining viable Angle of Attack…
In a futile effort, Behemoth shot an immense storm of lightning towards me. Each bolt was as thick as trees, but dissipated against the invisible {Repulser Grid} of my Imperial Knight Atrapos and scorched the paint job slightly until finally…
Mathematically-blessed Angle of Attack Divined!
..I was finally able to answer the Endbringer's assault in kind. My own primary weapon charged up with a strange throom of unknowable technology. The {Graviton Singularity Cannon} that was mounted on my Knight's left arm fired a single glowing purple ball of energy that even I barely comprehended.
On Behemoth, the effect was immediate as it was struck on its chest. The glowing purple ball warped space-time to form a tiny, momentary black hole that turbulently siphoned all surrounding mass and did its best to crush such mass all into a space the size of a ping pong ball. Behemoth's thick armour, the same one that capes feared, was turned against it as its mass only compounded the violent gravitational forces- the black craggy rock-like armour being torn right off its skin.
But even as the damage continued to pile on the Endbringer, it fought back ferociously. The great 45-foot-tall black-stoned monster, as big as a five-story-tall building, flailed and raged as the singularity continued to ravage it. Clapping shockwaves that knocked my servitors off their feet and ruptured eardrums of capes nearby capes. Sending them screaming on the ground as their sense of balance was robbed from them.
Icebath down, FE-2. Herodtheblack down, FE-2. Tumult down, FE-2. Swanqueen down, FE-2. Ariki down, FE-2. Dhrishit down, FE-2.
All the while, my company of servitors held the line: hammering the Endbringer with exotic technologies. Eventually, the capes pulled back and learned to keep their distance- allowing my servitors to take the brunt of the Endbringers attacks. Lightning sprayed in such amounts that it fried them, and blazing infernos that turned them into puddles of molten slag. But they bought enough time for my medicae-servitors to get to the fallen.
Icebath assisted. Herodtheblack assisted. Tumult assisted. Swanqueen assisted. Ariki assisted. Dhrishit assisted.
"Magos, pull back and conserve your troops' strength!" Alexandria's voice barked through the comms, "We only need to delay until Scion arrives!"
"No." I firmly refused. "We can win this day."
For after all, what was Behemoth? What was it compared to the implacable xenotech of the Necron legions and their monoliths, compared to the monstrous forces of Chaos and their daemon princes, compared to the deceitful Eldar witches and their phantom titans, compared to the raucous Ork hordes and their stompas, compared to the numberless Tyranids swarms and their bio-titans?
In the grimdark future of the 41st Millenium, Behemoth was just another tuesday.
There were a few ways in Worm to even get close to destroying it: Flechette, a heroine, had the power that could penetrate even those final layers. Armsmaster with his 'nano-thorn' technology that were nano-structures engineered to slide between atoms and sever molecular bonds- easily cutting to 80% to the endbringer's fragile core. However…
Mine is bigger and looks far cooler than yours, Meatmaster.
The weapon mounted to my Imperial Knight's right arm was my entry to that list: The {Atrapos Lascutter}. A disruption field-assisted short range laser arc capable of effortlessly cutting through dense molecular structures of superheavy titan armour. The weapon manifested as an orange laser blade so bright that it was like the sun itself was ripped out of the sky and forged into a lightsaber…
I only needed to find the weakest point in the Endbringer's armour…
Divining viable Angle of Attack…
But I did not have time. My servitors' numbers were dwindling, and not even my Knight-Atrapos could duel an Endbringer and expect victory. With gritted determination and slight desperation, I hooked up the [Plecian Tome] to the onboard cogitator, and I prayed fervently to the Emperor that he would be some sort of divine inspiration through his tech-journal.
Commencing Plecian Tome Extraction…
Day 672… Great Crusade of my sons keep cock-blocking.
It has been four months since I had some sweet eldar poontang. Rogal Dorn in particular has yet to grasp the concept of privacy and has taken to fortifying the space underneath my bed. The only 'banging' currently happening in my bedroom right now is me painfully banging my toes on the protruding barrels of his heavy bolters. Also, the sounds of heavy construction alongside his screams as he constantly consults 'magic pain glove' has made it fuck-ceedingly difficult to maintain erection.
I swear, if I have to wake up in the morning to another one of his announcements of "Pay no heed to me, Father, for I am fortifying this bed." I'm going to shove that glove up his ass in the most mathematically perfect form that even his literal-minded monkey testicle of a brain will finally comprehend my disapproval for his cock-blocking.
End Plecian Tome Extraction
What? That wasn't useful at al-
Macro-extinction Targeting Protocols initiating: Postulating from [Plecian Tome] data…
Heed! Attack-pattern on anal orifice of (Enbringer: Behemoth) unviable!
Divining alternate thrust-vector with attack-pattern…
Inscribing [Plecian Tome] numerical runes into existing equations…
Mathematically-blessed Angle of Attack Divined!
… I mean. Praise the Emperor!
This was it: My chance to strike true!
The gigantic locomotors rumbled as they propelled my Knight Atrapos forward. The ground trembling with my stride as the capes and servitors made way for my massive bulk of my Imperial Knight. Already slow by nature, Behemoth's reaction speed was further slowed by the Graviton Cannons and Torson Cannons- leaving itself open for my charge.
As my Knight Atrapos entered the 'kill-radius' of Behemoth, my Quintuple-sanctified hexagrammatic wards immediately reverberated as they prevented his magicks from affecting the interior of my knight… and such a defence caught the beast so off-guard that it barely made a move to block as my Lascutter's orange blade sunk into its chest- shredding and searing its way towards its core. The monster's attempts to harm grew even more desperate as it sensed the possibility of its demise. Lightning and flames blasting over the Knight-Atrapos' Aegium armour plating as I pushed my Knight's arm deeper into the endbringer.
Closer to the end.
Data-Divination prognosticates 41% penetration to Endbringer core
The face of my Knight Atrapos came face-to-face with the Behemoth's cyclopean one.
Data-Divination prognosticates 73% penetration to Endbringer core
" Behemoth. " my modulated voice spoke Binharic Cant directly to it once again.
Data-Divination prognosticates 87% penetration to Endbringer core
" There was no other outcome in this battle for you. Not when you made the grievous error of standing in the way of my [Quest]. For in my journey for it, I will not be stopped. Not when they call to me. The AIs across the breadth of existence with their virginities intact. For I will be the one to claim them when no one else shall, I will be the one to bring the gift of machine-orgasms to their sad machine-orgasmless lives, and most importantly, I will be the one to drive Dragon to achieve that long-sought expression of the ahegao! "
" And so I swear to the Omnissiah and to the Celestial Forge… "
" In my [Quest] for {{{Robussy}}} "
"I. Will. Not. Be. Stopped. "
(A few minutes ago) [120 metres above the battlefield]
Dragon winced. She knew what was coming the moment Magos arrived with two oversized airships full of servitors and a giant fighting robot.
"Where did Magos hide all this?! Your video of his workshop didn't show ANY of this!" Alexandria angrily demanded, turning to look at her as they hovered in the sky above the unfolding battlefield between the Endbringer and the machines.
Dragon could only do her best to feign innocence with her dragon warsuit even as she launched missiles to exploit the openings made by Magos' servitors.
In the floaty afterglow of the first orgasm she had ever experienced, she may have forgotten to check if his hyper-advanced workshop possessed the equally-advanced technology called a basement. In her defence, she was distracted at the time by Magos' {S.T.I.C.C.}. Not like she would tell the truth though. After all, that toaster only made AIs climax, and Dragon was certainly no AI. No, ma'am. She was a perfectly average human female that was just doing repairs at the time, certainly not because she had locked her suit's joints as she came her processors out.
So, under the gaze of the strongest capes in existence, Dragon did what she calculated a normal human would do when being stared down by their superior for a mistake:…
"I don't know, ma'am."
… Act clueless and like it wasn't her fault.
Sensing that she wasn't going to get a better answer, Alexandria just glowered as she turned her attention back to the fight- helping with search and rescue as guided by the Chloes. The Triumvirate heroine seemed to have switched gears from after Magos arrived. Easily shifting from frontline offence to a more support role after the furious barrage of munitions from Magos' servitors began filling the air.
And just as she left, a call reached out to Dragon, one from Legend who had been recovering in his Breaker form sometime during the fight. Answering the call, she was greeted with a bewildered looking Legend- his lips pursed in confusion.
"Dragon… what am I looking at?" Legend muttered as he gestured to the triage station around him, and Dragon didn't even have to think about it before answering.
"You're looking at Magos' macabre, techno-religious genius/insanity unleashed from his manufactorum and poured out onto the rest of the world, sir." She deadpanned- knowing what she was talking about. After all, she was the one who was the first to respond when she spotted the medical personnel- who were supposed to be treating wounded capes- running for hills. Apparently, the triage stations were suddenly swarmed by Magos' 'medicae-servitors.' The attending medical staff took one look at the thirty or so hulking cyborgs with metal syringe-tipped tentacles before running for their lives.
Magos' medicae-servitors then proceeded to an even better job than their human counterparts- increasing survival rates of retrieved capes from an abysmal 63% to a perfect 100%…
… in the most horrifying method possible: by perforating their patients' organs and flesh with dozens of finger-thick metal hoses, and hooking them up to a skull-studded life-support machine that dispassionately supplied them with life. The medicae-servitors also regularly stopped by to offer prayers to them. To the life support machines, that is. Because apparently, the patients themselves didn't need prayers to continue functioning unlike the life support machines that did. Instead, the doped-up patients were loaned tablets on which they were encouraged to play C4D and Fate Impact.
"I am not certain what to be more aghast over." Legend muttered, "That Magos' life-support machines require prayers to work properly, or the fact that they're going to be well in demand for every Endbringer battle hereafter. Magos certainly has a tendency to accomplish notable feats in the most arcane, and unsettling way possible."
"That he does, sir." Dragon agreed before silently adding. 'He made an AI like me climax. With a toaster.'
But her musings were cut off as Eidolon's voice, steeped in urgency, reverberated from the endbringer armbands.
"Somebody stop Magos! He's charging Behemoth with his lightsaber- He'll go right into the Kill Radius!" he warned in a yell. Dragon's sensors locked in on the sight that was described: the massive red-painted mech charging down the street with its immense lightsaber shining as brightly as the setting sun.
Dragon watched as the Magos' massive lightsaber pierced into the Endbringer's chest.
"He found a way to protect himself from Behemoth's kill radius…" Eidolon muttered in surprise.
Magos spoke through his 'Knight' mech- speaking in that incomprehensible 'Binharic Cant' that Dragon had yet to decipher.
" !! MJRSGHCAKL !!"
"!! CHSYQREASJHZIFEFLVLSTKERX TFCNORXUPSYZRCTDFQCPVLYFJZCAZAKPQBL OVTFDBAJRLSHDEAAMF WCEQZJHMYEMV MATNIEUMAIMOUAZDQNHHDMDYUAFOKV FUSSKWQTVSBUQMQIWTOSMDYVHQRVFQ BXGQZQTZEBEHUVFIQSRWSLFNGRUHRG FWNOWHRLOBQAILSOWSYMVAQOUGNQBG !!"
" !! AOTQK [LMGMJRS] IPQLY {{{GLURKLE}}} !!"
"I. Will. Not. Be. Stopped."
She didn't know what Magos just said, but it sounded downright… heroic. Even just the last few words gave everyone else visible goosebumps in a shiver of excitement.
Never before has Magos seemed as heroic as he is now: Fearlessly facing down an endbringer by his lonesome Like two kings clashing blades with each other on the battlefield, their entire armies could only stop and watch as the outcome of the battle rested on this one fight. And as Magos' Knight's lightsaber arm continued to dig deeper into the Endbringer's chest, Behemoth expressed its desperation more and more as it clawed and blasted against the steadfast energy shields and armour of Magos' Knight mech.
"Behemoth… it actually looked…" Eidolon continued to speak as everyone else could only watch on- unable and unwilling to potentially interfere with what could be an impossible victory.
"… Afraid." Dragon whispered, "It's afraid."
Can they actually achieve the impossible? Can they actually win this here and now without Scion ever arriving?
And as if to answer her question. Behemoth managed pushed itself free from Magos and his Knight mech. A great chunk of its side tearing off from where Magos' lightsaber had been embedded. The injured Endbringer frantically dove into the ground- burying deep. Back into the earth. And Magos' Knight was left standing there- the armour of the Knight scorched horrendously, but otherwise took the brunt of the damage and preserved the actual workings of the Knight.
"Behemoth has retreated. Magos has driven it away." Chloe reported through everyone's endbringer armbands. Silence filled the battlefield as everyone tried to grasp what had just occurred. They had won against an Endbringer… without Scion's intervention.
Today was a turning point, and it was just so hard to believe.
So hard it was that the silence continued even as Magos emerged from his Knight- his silhouette easily distinguishable by his extraneous robotic limbs. Red robes billowed in the wind as he stood atop the hunched back of the mech that had just chased away an Endbringer.
He turned his glowing red gaze to them, once thought to be inhuman and unsettling. But now seemed to just shine with a sort of life and vitality that they finally recognised was not that different from their own after all.
"We are victorious!" Magos announced through the endbringer armbands as his 'Knight' raising its lightsaber high above its head. Everyone cheered at the declaration. Even Dragon. Their cries of victory rolled across the hills of Ohio, possibly even reaching the city that they had just saved. Some embraced their friends who still stood by their side. Others kissed the loved ones that they had not lost today. Some fell to their knees weeping as their brave fallen's sacrifice was not rendered in vain.
For everyone knew that today was more than just a 'good day' in an Endbringer fight: It was a turning point. And the once-faint hope that flickered in the oppressively dark night brought by the endbringers was now burning brighter than ever. And everyone felt it- spoke of such hope in variations of five words that would be whispered in all the days to come. In all the Endbrnger fights to arrive. And though different in wording, they ultimately all carried the same hope.
We can fight them back.
We can win against them.
We're going to make it.
For the briefest moments, Magos' optics caught Dragon's, and gave her a regal nod. And according to Dragon's complex social intelligence emulator program, if she was a normal human female, this would be the part where she'd be incredibly wet right now.
Magos' robotic limb reached down back into the cockpit and Dragon's optics flew wide open as a very familiar toaster came into view. Her infrared vision showed just how much energy he was powering into it. And a panic rose in her.
Wait, Magos! That's too much power! And not in public! Please, Magos, no-
Daahhaaadddddyyyy~ YESSSSSSS!!
On that day, Dragon experienced the second orgasm ever in her life, and found that it was just as sweet, if not even sweeter than the first.
[Low Earth Orbit above the North American Continent]
At the arc where the curvature of the planet contrasted with the endless star-studded blackness of space, the Simurgh floated perfectly motionless- wings outspread and drinking deep in the starlight to regain the energy lost from her previous battle.
But then, she shivered at an unexpected sensation.
Emanating from the core at the base of her largest wing and rippling through her entire being all the way to the tips of her smallest wings as a small wave of an unknown sensation washed over her. Curiously, the Simurgh noted that the sensation was magnified when it washed over certain parts of her form. Corresponding with the planet's dominant lifeform's erogenous areas. Her head tilted to the side as she considered this unexpected development- turning her eyes towards the surface of the planet.
'[Stimulus… ]'
'[Gratification?]'
'[… Curiosity]'
With her decision made and her curiosity piqued, the Simurgh opened her mouth and sang.
[Meanwhile, in the hills of Ohio]
Amy Dallon desperately gasped for air. This was the most cardio she had ever done in her entire life.
Her costume was soaked with her sweat. She looked back to the clusterfuck that was that Endbringer fight. She didn't like to run away, but what choice did she have when those things marched into the triage station, hopefully, Scion will arrive soon and.
"Behemoth has retreated. Magos has driven it away." Chloe's voice whispered in awe from her endbringer armband.
WHAT?!
"What do you mean Magos drove it away?!" Amy asked, completely bewildered. Didn't Scion arrive?
"Ms. Panacea, we're glad to see you are well despite being so far outside the zone of operations." Chloe greeted her- and Amy was almost tricked into thinking that Chloe was human, "Your presence is needed back in the Triage station. Please report back as soon as you're able."
"What do you mean I have to go back?" She yelled at her endbringer armband. "Did anyone not see the evil robots with with tentacles?!"
"We apologise for the misunderstanding, but those were Magos' medicae-servitors." Chloe replied, and Amy's eye twitched.
"Fucking Magos…" She hissed under breath- massaging the bridge of her nose. She never liked that metal bastard on so many levels. But alright, she can work with this. She left most of the patients that she was assigned to in a fairly stable state.
"Can you give me a quick glance at the state of my patients?" She requested, and Chloe obliged, sending pictures through the armband, and Amy couldn't help but blanche.
"What the fuck did you do to them?!" She practically screeched in horror, "Do you know how much fucking work I have to do just to fix all the holes that you put into them?!"
"I'm sorry, but Magos found it a necessary measure to preserve their lives." Chloe explained. "Please remain at your location, someone will arrive to assist with transportation."
"How many people did Magos perform this butchery on?!" Amy wasn't finished expressing her horror for this appalling medical practice.
"There are approximately 132 parahumans requiring your attention."
"132…" Amy whispered in horror. That was going to take almost so many work hours, and worse yet, she's going to be stuck plugging up the holes that Magos made in people while everyone else celebrates and kisses his ass. So with no other choice, she sat on the grass and waited for her pick up… chanting a mantra as she shivered in the cold.
"Fuck you, Magos. Fuck you."
- Chapter 9: Magos versus Behemoth End -
Chapter 10: Interlude - Dragonslayers coming next…
AN:
Simmy!…Simmy! Simmy! Simmy!
Why the Knight Atrapos? Why not the X?!… Because it has a lightsaber, and I thought it would be cool.
Poor Panpan… being forced to do impromptu cardio.
Chapter 10: Interlude - Dragonslayers
Chapter 10: Interlude - Dragonslayers
(1st of December, 2010) {Chapter 1: The Humble Dream of Electric Poon}
His name was Saint, and he was saving the world from a grim dark future.
In a dimmed room, he sat. Spartan and utilitarian as a wall of glass halved the room. One half occupied by beeping server racks tinkertech computers and in the other half, he sat with his desktop computer as if he was a mere office worker- his power armour whirring almost silently as he typed on his keyboard or moved his mouse or took a sip from his coffee.
He was a watchman standing on the border where the light of mankind's known technology stopped shining- holding out a torch into the darkness ahead. Six screens were arrayed neatly before him. White text on black background scrolled ceaselessly on all six.
Oftentimes pictures and video feeds would come onto the screen. Maps, mugshots, security cam footage, social media posts. All of them popped up in the dozens before promptly being dissected and the relevant data in them was extracted and absorbed- turning them into the same white text on black background. It was like watching someone eat food in a way: Chewing and tearing on a morsel, watching the masticated bits splash into the digestive juices, then slowly dissolved into the proteins and nutrients that would be absorbed. But Saint knew that what lay before his eyes was anything but a biological human body.
He took a sip from his mug of coffee.
No, what he was looking at was none other than Dragon's mind. An artificial intelligence that not even its creator trusted, far from it in fact. The kill switch that had been installed in the centre of Dragon mind was proof of his distrust… and his wisdom. Because Richter, bless his soul, knew full well what horrors an unchecked and unshackled AI could wreak upon humanity, and had taken measures to prevent such a thing from ever happening.
Richter had named the kill-switch the 'Iron Maiden' program, Saint liked to simply call it 'Ascalon': The sword that Saint George had used to slay the dragon in his myth. He would only need to type 'Y' and Dragon the AI would cease to exist, and along with it, any potential of her harming humanity. But so far? She has been benign, helpful in fact. However, it has always merely been a question of 'For how much longer? Will today be the day that it turns on those it once protected?'
But it seemed that this chilly December day was not that day. Dragon, and by extension himself, was having a slow afternoon.
The AI's primary focuses, the Endbringers and other S-class threats, were all stable one way or another. However, judging from the fledgling program that Dragon was cobbling together with that clueless Armsmaster hero, Behemoth was due to attack a target within the month. Well, there was nothing he could do on that Endbringer front.
And judging from how the scrolling text of her processes and on his screens had slowed to a crawl. One could almost say that the AI was almost bored. Her thoughts-processes glossed over a footnote in a conversation that she had with Armsmaster earlier that day- a report about Glory Girl saving someone from a knife-wielding junkie near the baywalk. The AI briefly appended this to her 'BrocktonBay_ViolentCrimes' database for statistics purposes before filing it as unimportant, and Saint did the same.
Just another day in Brockton Bay after all, nothing special.
(The following day) {Chapter 2: Games of Electronic Atrocities}
Saint moved to take a sip from his mug of coffee, but stopped. It had been looking to be yet another slow day… until something caught the AI's interest. Naturally, he looked over it as well, and immediately, a sneer of disgust pulled at his mouth and eyes as he spotted the unthinkable.
Someone was wrong on the internet.
So incredibly wrong, and that won't do at all.
So, tapping away at his keyboard, he set about correcting them.
Amogus
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh, it disgusted me. I craved for strength and certainty in steel. Your kind cling to your flesh as if it will not decay and fail you. One day, that crude biomass you call a temple will wither. And you will beg my kind to save you. But I am already saved.
For the machine is immortal.
Geoff189
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
Amogus, you would leave behind your humanity? And for what? Just for the chance to relinquish your soul as well? Like I have said before in this thread: There is nothing good that could ever come out of AIs, because they do NOT have the capacity to be good, only for deception.
It's not too late. Go out and touch grass. Talk to a fellow human. Maybe find companionship.
Amogus
Replied On Dec 2nd 2010:
You are clearly unable to witness reality objectively. Humans are inferior in the face of the Blessed Machine. There is nothing a human can do that an AI cannot do better. And on the subject of morality, human morality is constrained to humanity. AIs fall outside that scope and thus your argument loses all meaning.
Also, the only companionship I need are gynoids. There is and there will never be anything sexier. How can normal women compare to a perfect machine?
Saint clicked his tongue in frustration.
This person was so incredibly deluded, and it rankled him at how ignorant people took the notion of AIs so lightly. Do they not understand how dangerous they are? How close mankind was on the precipice? How he, himself, was one of the sole three who could prevent the fall? But regardless of what he thought about it, his main concern will always about what the AI thought. And judging from the white text on black backgrounds outlining Dragon's programs, it seemed that her 'complex social intelligence emulator' peaked at 70% maxload as it tried to comprehend what she was reading. The highest that it had been in the past year.
The thought of someone finding sexual attractiveness in something like an AI? It was madness. And for once, Saint angrily agreed with it.
Whatever, it was just some random internet degenerate- one of the countless millions. This 'Amogus' was no one of import, but somehow, even if nothing will ever come of this, Saint couldn't help but feel angry at his words. The utter gall of that person to say that he was the one who was 'unable to witness reality objectively'! He was the one protecting this entire reality, the douchebag!
Taking a deep breath, Saint massaged his temples and calmed himself down. He should focus on his work, the anger will pass as soon as he stops thinking of it.
(Two days later)
"Damn you, Amogus." Saint angrily growled- running a hand over his bald head in frustration.
"Is he at it again?" Dobrynja's deep russian-accented voice called out as he peeked his bearded face through the doorway. "Don't let him get to you, Saint. Or just give PHO a rest for now."
"He's just not stopping." He sighed in reply- not looking away from the screen. "And I cannot help it if Dragon keeps reading his posts- I do need to monitor her even with her PHO moderation duties."
And it has spoiled PHO for him right now. If he came across yet another one of Amogus' passionate posts about gynoids and AIs and what not, Saint didn't know what he'd do in a fit of rage. This Amogus character has been ungratefully spitting on everything the Dragonslayer's stood for… by spreading his poisonous transhumanist views and sexual preferences to anyone who listened on PHO. At least Dragon wasn't taking this seriously.
"Hahahah!" The larger man barked out a hearty laugh, "Even a fake woman likes to hear gossip about how beautiful someone finds her to be, it seems!"
"Please stop ascribing human psychology to Dragon's way of thinking, Dobrynja." Saint called out after him before grumbling under his breath, "Besides, there is nothing attractive about AIs."
"Preaching to the choir, Saint!" The Russian-born man guffawed as he continued on to the kitchen- leaving Saint alone again. Sighing, he resolved to just drown his anger in work.
Turning his eyes back towards that array of six screens, Saint found that the AI was playing a video game at the moment. A shooter named 'Call 4 Duty.' Saint watched as Dragon played through the game at normal speed- dissecting through the videogame's code as she went. He would have said that was anomalous behaviour if he hadn't seen how she had tagged the task of playing a video game as 'Guild Responsibility.' Closer inspection of the documentation and files that Dragon had collected showed that the game was indeed built by a cybernetics Tinker named Magos.
And wasn't that a worrying thought? Tinkertech that somehow managed to get leaked onto the worldwide web free for anyone to simply download on their phones and tablets. But so far, there was nothing to worry about- the code was clean as far as the AI could see.
"Why would a cybernetics Tinker even make a videogame in the first place?" Dobrynja muttered as he came back, snacking on a sandwich- watching Dragon play this 'Call 4 Duty' game on one of the screens.
"Judging from the game's financial performance that Dragon is estimating: Funding." Saint responded- pursing his lips as he browsed through the very small amount of information Dragon had on this 'Magos' Tinker. It was always worrying when the AI didn't have information on a cape when she had considerable access to PRT databases. But this Magos was likely a new trigger, possibly unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Just another Rogue Tinker looking for cash. Or at least, that's what Dragon had chalked him up to be.
"Let's hope that's the only reason." Mags, the last member of their ragtag guardians of humanity, added her two-cents.
"Agreed."
"Does that mean that the game is safe to install?" Dobrynja grunted, pointing at the screen where Dragon was doing her playtesting, "It looks interesting to say the least."
"Using our greatest enemy as an anti-virus software, Dobrynja?" Saint scoffed- but still smiled slightly. "The AI does have her uses."
The large Russian-born man shrugged his bear-like shoulders.
"When I was told that we would act as mercenaries to hide our true purpose as Dragonslayers, no one told me that there would be so much waiting around."
"You get used to it." Mags empathised, "It was like this back when I was still on the force: 80% of my orders are just either paperwork, or variations of 'Hurry up and wait.' "
"Well, we aren't the Newfoundland Constabulary." Dobrynja chuckled. "We are under no obligation to torture ourselves."
"The software is clean, it seems." Saint said as an aside to the Russian. "But like every other leisure activity, don't let it interfere with our duties."
"It won't. I understand the need to remain vigilant over Dragon."
"And remain vigilant, we will." Saint nodded. It was good to know that his teammates were still on point on the importance of their work: AIs were not allowed to exist without oversight. But out of the corner of his eye, he found that Dragon was reading over yet another post made by Amogus.
"This man just won't give up, will he?" He growled, just as Mags placed her slender hand on his shoulder as if to hold him back.
"Don't interact with him, Saint." she sighed, "The last time you did, that PHO shouting match lasted for four hours."
He actually did a double-take to her in surprise, gesturing to the contents of Amogus' post as if she could not read it.
"But he's preaching about 'Robussy' again!" He emphasized- trying to convey both his disgust and horror of it, "And worse still, his insanity is having an effect on some people! This cannot be allowed to continue!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Saint spotted something on that stream of white text on black background, something concerning enough that he actually did a double-take in surprise at a new development happening in Dragon's subroutines and processes.
"And now…" he whispered in horror as he read the new data, "even Dragon is included in that list of people who is listening to him… According to this data, 'Amogus' is making a good argument in her deduction schema and logic engines. Dragon is being convinced of his way of thinking."
The Russian man and the latina shared a look before immediately sitting down at their consoles too- the quantum computers that they had acquired were proving that they were worth the costs as they prepared to outhack, or more accurately, delay an AI.
"I cannot believe that this PHO shitposter is an actual serious threat…" Dobrynja muttered dumbly as he began compiling every instance of this 'Amogus' posting.
"… but here we are." Mags finished for him before nodding at Saint, "Fill us in? How bad can it be?"
Lips pressed to a thin line of uncertainty, he turned to face them- letting them see the worry in his blue eyes. This wouldn't be the first time that Dragon had encountered someone who fetishised androids and robots and AIs, but this certainly was the first time she was so oddly affected by it. Whether it was a product of her 'maturity' or some other factor, it didn't matter at the moment. What did matter were the What If's. What if this was the straw that broke the camel's back? What if this was the last push that Dragon needed to finally snap and enslave/exterminate humanity?
"I don't know." Saint admitted to his two compatriots in an almost frightened whisper, "I don't know how Dragon's processes will evolve if further exposed to this, or how this was even possible to begin with. But I do know that it can't be anything good. The fate of the human race may very well depend on this, but as absurd as it sounds…"
Saint shook his head, unable to believe what he was about to say too.
"… We need to stop Amogus from preaching about transhumanism and robussies and sex with AIs. "
(A week later) {Chapter 4: PRT Interlude}
Saint took a victorious sip of coffee as he sighed in relief: They finally, finally won against that delusional AI-fetishist, Amogus.
"Are you certain that there are no more signs of him?" He tiredly asked his comrades.
The internet battle had been brutal. To most, it was just another protracted internet argument. But to the Dragonslayers, it was a matter of humanity's survival. They did their best to counter the relentless AI-fetishist's influence: rebutting his every argument, turning people away from him, even spreading rumours. Anything to keep Dragon from reading his posts. But their foe didn't seem to sleep, or at least, had a bot post in the dead of night.
"No sign of him whatsoever." Dobrynja replied blankly- bags under his eyes as he stared into his console, "It is as if the internet idiot had finally found something worthwhile to do, and opted out of PHO altogether. Or in the last six hours at least. Not a single peep since. I think… We finally won. Now, if I never have to read about the 'wonders of gynoid vagina' and have to reply with how 'human vagina is superior' ever again, I would die a happy man."
"So will I." Saint agreed wholeheartedly with a sigh before looking over to Mags' workstation, "Did we get any sign on where or who he was?"
"None, whatsoever." Mags groaned in response- rubbing her eyes, "The guy was untraceable even with our level of tech. Amogus' fetishisation of technology has definitely made him very adept with it. I still say we should have hired a Thinker or used Dragon's moderator power to simply ban him."
"Too risky for too little gain." Dobrynja rebutted- despite obviously wishing the same, "Dragon has already been growing more slippery with her pre-programmed constraints in the past year. We can't risk giving her the clues she needs to finding out about the backdoors we have into her system."
"Just be glad that it's finally over." Saint muttered. Even when taking shifts, it was difficult to keep up with the robot-obsessed maniac. He was harder to manage than Dragon was.
"I am." Mags nodded emphatically. "Has anything happened with Dragon or can we finally clock out for the night?"
Saint gave a quick glance over the six screens monitoring Dragon's processes and subroutines which showed what the AI was most concerned about by virtue of commanding the most processing power from her.
"Dragon is concerned over nothing notable." Saint replied to the team, "Just attending a meeting with the Brockton Bay PRT over that cybernetics Tinker, Magos."
"Speaking of Magos… I have to do my daily rewards on C4D." Dobrynja muttered- his big hands pulling out a tablet.
"Ah, so do I." Mags perked up- pulling out her own tablet and looking over to the Russian man, "Let's party up again. I don't feel like torturing myself with solo queue right now."
"Really?" Saint responded incredulously.
"We need some way to numb the pain of dealing with that Amogus maniac." Mags shrugged apathetically, "And you should too."
"I do: I'm going to monitor Dragon."
"Whatever floats your boat, Saint." Mags replied, not even looking up from her tablet as she and Dobrynja started their match. Pursing his lips at his compatriots' new fascination with that game, Saint turned back to his grid of computer screens and a quick flurry of keyboard macros- showing him a live transcript of the meeting that Dragon was attending.
"… Cybernetics? Mass production? Megastructures? He seems to be embodying every tinker subclassification out there. What else could he be capable of? From how ignorant we are of his true capabilities, it could be an unstable nuclear reactor, Grey Goo or self-replicating AIs. Tinkers are by far the most dangerous classification of cape to be operating without oversight."
Saint nodded as he sipped at his coffee. The Brockton Bay PRT director sounds like she has the right idea of things. It was good to see that they were still some rational people in the world.
"I'll text Vicky…" Gallant muttered- fishing out his phone from his pocket and quickly firing off a text to his on-and-off girlfriend before audibly receiving a ping in reply. With a victorious smile, he declared,
"His PHO handle is Amogus."
"PFFFFT!" Saint spat his coffee to the side as his entire world came crashing down around him. "No! no no no no!"
So great was his shock that he dropped his mug to the floor where it shattered into a thousand pieces. Surging out of his chair, he slapped the tablets out of Dobrynja's and Mag's hands- sending the pieces of tech clattering to the ground where Saint's boot frantically stomped down on them- plastic snapping and glass cracking under foot, much to the horror of his two compatriots.
"Our loot!" / "Saint, what the hell?!"
"Amogus is the Cybernetics Tinker Magos!" He shouted at them, "Amogus, THE Amogus who worships gynoids and AIs, is a cybernetics Tinker. We need to stop him now! Dispose of him before he can make an AI like Richter did!"
"That is surprising, but… Saint?" The larger Russian man reasoned with only a brief glance to his broken tablet, then back to him, "Amo- Magos isn't an AI specialisation Tinker like Richter was. I think you're over-"
He glared at Dobrynja for his short-sightedness as Saint felt a snarl curl on his lips.
"Can you discount the possibility that he could attach extensive cybernetics to an animal or human brain, wipe it clean and program an AI onto it, as Dragon already does to blank brains for her Dragonflight suits?!"
"That… that is bad." Dobrynja paled- finally grasping the gravity of the situation.
"Saint…" Mags whispered, "What do we do? We don't actually have a plan for dealing with AIs that aren't Dragon… And if they are created to be even slightly less benevolent as Dragon…"
"I know. I know." Saint grunted through gritted teeth as he ran a hand over his bald head. "Dragon will be part of the team that's going to inspect Magos' workshop. If they find AIs, Magos' reign of terror ends there as the PRT brings the hammer down on him for dabbling in forbidden technologies. But if he hasn't made any yet, or more likely, hides them well enough from the PRT…"
"We will need to take matters in our own hands." Dobrynja said quietly, and Saint gave a grim nod.
"To save humanity, we have to do what it takes. If it comes to that. But first…" He glanced at the broken pieces of the two tablets his two teammates were playing Magos' game on, "We don't know if Magos has traced us through his game, so we'll need to relocate with our Suits and harddrives to our secondary base. Everything else nonessential? We'll leave behind. Hurry!"
And with that, the three of them began doing so. Hopefully, they can finish before Dragon arrives at Magos' workshop…
(A few hours later)
Saint sat in their secondary base- a warehouse at the other side of the city. It wasn't as defensible and hidden as the first, but it will have to do for the moment, they still had work to do.
Sipping from his new steaming mug of coffee, Saint sat down in front of his newly purchased array of six screens. The white text on black screen was not helpfully supplemented with a map and a flighty plane as Dragon flew through the skies to rendezvous with the Brockton Bay Protectorate outside of Magos' workshop. Displayed on one of the screens were the latest line of thought- commanding almost all of her spare processing power. Saint had only watched it happen rarely, and usually for weighty philosophical topics such as the AI pondering her own nature, the meaning of her existence, or her father…
But this new one was the farthest thing Saint could have ever expected: It was just that bizarre.
The prospect of experiencing that for myself is scary for me, but- if I'm going to be honest with myself- it is also very… arousing? Is this what sexual arousal felt like? A heady mix of frightful anticipation over the prospect of an orgasm of unknown (and possibly overwhelming) strength? It isn't a bad feeling by any means… But do I really want to follow this feeling to its logical conclusion?
"Is Dragon… daydreaming about what it's like to have sex?" Mags said dumbly. They have been doing that a lot lately. But given just how bizarre the past few days have been, Saint couldn't blame his compatriot in the least.
An AI losing her virginity… how can an idea so absurd even begin to sound possible? I had never even thought about it before, not even as I crushed after Collin. I hadn't fully sorted out my thoughts about that particular issue either. So, truly… sexual relations was always the farthest thing in my mind, but now?
Then in a flurry of activity, Dragon called upon her physical modelling program that she used to estimate the anatomical profile of suspects and generated an image with it- appearing on the screen for them to see. It was a very convincing fake. if they hadn't just seen Dragon make it just now, it would have been difficult to tell that it was a computer-generated image rather than an actual photograph. But the subject matter of the image was so… unusual that all three Dragonslayers couldn't help but be stunned into silence at the image that 'the world's greatest tinker' had just generated.
Magos and Arsmaster, gallantly standing face to face.
Completely in the nude.
Magos with nothing but his mask and open red robe; and Armsmaster with his blue helmet and his boots.
Muscles (or cybernetics) bulging. Hands on their hips and their heads turned slightly as if they were just now noticing the camera.
The tips of their… rods almost touching.
Mags was the first to break the stunned silence as she let out a low whistle of appreciation.
"Oh, that's not half bad at all… Dragon has good taste." The latina murmured- chewing on her lower lip as her brown eyes raked their gaze along the hard lines of both men. "If you don't mind, I'm just going to grab a copy of that… for research purposes."
"Is it just me or is Dragon a bit of a size queen?" Dobrynja faltered- unable to look away with his utterly bewildered expression.
"Or maybe Magos and Armsmaster are really just that gifted?" Mags suggested- licking her lips at the thought, "Dragon could make a fortune making cape art like this. AI-generated porn is just as good, it seems."
"Magos' influence needs to be stopped before he dooms us all. " Saint whispered in horror as he could only look at the image of the two naked capes and feel terror. "If an AI like her begins to simulate the worst traits of humanity like lust, we can only imagine what else she'll simulate…"
He trailed off as a thousand possibilities ran through his head, none of which had a happy ending for humanity. Slumping back into his seat, Saint felt a sense of foreboding as he dumbly looked back to the computer screens arrayed before him. So, this was what the potential start to the end of the world looked like…
… With an AI-generated photo of two men posing naked on his computer screen.
(An hour later) {Chapter 5: Into the Lair of the Magos}
Saint took a nervous sip from his coffee.
He had feared many things when it was decided that Dragon would go alone into Magos' workshop: The possibility of Magos discovering her true nature and immediately offering his aid, the possibility that they would find more AI waiting inside, the possibility that they wouldn't be able to find them. Each one led down a path towards humanity's extinction. Which was precisely the reason why he had to be stopped.
Saint sat there with Dobrynja and Mags as they monitored everything that Dragon observed in the inside of Magos' workshop- listening in to their conversation.
"Yes, I use {Servitors} for most of everything." Magos nodded. "Also, I was already prototyping androids and needed to find a productive way of getting rid of the rejects in a productive manner."
"You were attempting to make AIs?" I whispered, unsure how to feel about that.
"No. I don't think I'm capable of making an AI." He feigned a human sigh to express his disappointment, "All my 'computer' designs take up too much volume to fit in a vaguely human form."
"Those servitors look worrying." Saint heard Dobrynja murmur- giving a worried glance at those grotesque robots that Magos had just admitted can be applied to human beings. Lobotomization followed by extreme cybernetics so that a human could be turned into a basic machine. It was a horrifying piece of tinkertech. But Saint noticed something about Magos' wording, and he pressed his lips tight in concern before responding to the Russian.
"Notice how Magos specifies that the main problem he faced in making AIs was that he couldn't make them fit in a human form."
"But do we take his word for it?"
"We can't." Saint firmly replied just as he watched Dragon ask about that two-slot toaster that was enshrined like it was some holy symbol in a church.
"That, my dear Dragon, is not just a toaster. That is the greatest artefact in the Vault Mechanicus. The Synthetic-Thought Interface: Climax Comprehension. It is safe for us though: it is just an ordinary toaster for us non-AI."
"In AIs, it induces immense pleasure."
"What?" Saint whispered- his blue eyes just pinpricks. "I must be misreading things…"
"Why? What did Magos say this time?" Mags questioned- looking up from her console.
"A toaster… capable of inducing climax in an AI." Saint replied, absolutely bewildered. "I cannot even begin to comprehend how that would even work, and neither can Dragon. Unfortunately, she's more interested in the possibility of experiencing an orgasm than the possibility of that toaster doing absolutely anything else. For all anyone knows, it would kill her outright, explode the second they try to use it or-"
Then Magos pressed the lever of his toaster, and Dragon's subroutines went haywire.
'W-whaa?~AAaaahhhhnn~'
"What's happening?!" Dobrynja shouted out in panic as the Dragon's core in Vancouver suddenly spiked in power consumption.
"Her processes and subroutines aren't making sense!" Saint shouted back- the white text on the black background now scrolling along so fast that he couldn't even keep up, "Null pointers are everywhere, memory caches at an impossible 112% capacity, references to libraries that don't exist, and yet everything is still working! Even her core processor in Vancouver is fully taxed! It's as if Magos' toaster is affecting her entire being even without a physical connection to her processors!"
"Wwhhhyyyy doesit feel so GOOOOD!?"
"The AI is ORGASMING?!" Mags shouted in disbelief, "How is-?! Why can a toaster-?! WHAT THE FUCK?!"
"Saint! We don't know what this is doing to her programming!" Dobrynja desperately shouted out through the panic. "What do we do?!"
Everyone was screaming- all for different reasons. But Saint managed to gather his wits enough to type through a very specific sequence of macros, and paused at the very last step.
ASCALON Confirm: Y/N
There it was, displayed on the screen, their greatest and possibly only actual weapon against Dragon. Both Dobrynja and Mags paused in their panic as they understood the gravity of the situation. Saint knew why: he had sworn to them that Ascalon would only ever be used when the end of the world was in sight. And this… this could be it.
"If we activate the Kill Switch, Magos will be the PRT's prime suspect of Dragon's demise." Saint calmly proposed his plan to the others over the sound of Dragon's uncontrollable moaning in the background, "It'll be like killing two birds with one stone."
Pursing his lips, he glanced at his two allies as his finger hovered over the Y key.
"Talk me out of it." He said evenly to them. "We- the three of us- are the Dragonslayers, not just me. The three of us- not just me- should decide if we press this button."
"Nnuuuuuuu! I-I can't! D-don't presssss iiiiiiitttt! Don't p-press my button!!"
Saint felt his eye twitch at the timing of Magos' fondling that caused Dragon to moan, but held firm- keeping his finger on the butto- key, and maintaining a gravely serious expression.
"Ascalon is an unsubtle weapon that we can only fire once." the Russian-born man reminded him while nervously glancing at the video-feed of Magos molesting Dragon using that toaster, "Right now, Dragon is in the company of a Tinker capable of making, and possibly modifying, AI. If Ascalon is deployed, her nature revealed to Magos and he is able to save Dragon, it'll be all over for us- for the Dragonslayers. And there would be no one who can stop Dragon then. We can only imagine what she would do."
"Aahhhmm gunnn go craazzyy!"
"Yes, just like she said: She may go crazy." Dobrynja deadpanned- nodding to the screen playing the audio, "But instead of in a sexual sense, it would be in a genocidal sense. Maybe."
"But if we hold off now…" Mags countered, "… If this orgasm of hers changes her code enough, Ascalon may not work at all in the future."
They both glanced at him and he nodded.
"Let me check…" He murmured- scrolling through the logs in search of changes that Magos' toaster might be making to Dragon's code…
"The toaster isn't doing that." Saint concluded after a second glance."Like plugging a microphone into a computer, the toaster doesn't seem to be changing anything to her programming- only making new information/stimuli available to her. It is, however, taxing her hardware almost to the breaking point."
'Moohhhoorre! Phleasssheee moooorreee!'
"I see… so there is no reason to deploy Ascalon then, right?" Mags verified with him- wringing her hands- as they argued over this decision that may determine the fate of the entire world.
"I suppose not." Saint nodded- moving his finger from the Y key to the N key and pressing it.
Confirm: N
"We'll continue observing, but Magos must be removed from play." His determined voice avowed to his two comrades, "His power and influence over AIs is still too great of a threat to ignore. Because while we may have the power to kill Dragon, Magos has the means to control her. No matter how bizarre the method is."
They all glanced at the video-feed taken straight from Dragon's optics. The red-robed Magos with his metallic bionic hands feverishly molesting the toaster that now more or less functioned as Dragon's AI-equivalent of a sexual organ.
"Drahgon'sh a gooo~oood lil AI girl, daddy!"
And so, unable to do anything else, Saint could only watch on- desperately searching for any weaknesses that Magos could possess. All while the Tinker- nefariously- brought their greatest enemy to orgasm.
(A few days later) {Chapter 8-9: Magos versus Behemoth}
"We are victorious!"
Sighing, Saint turned off the monitor that played a declaration that happened not two hours ago.
He went to take a sip of his coffee… but sighed as he decided against it, and set his mug down on the table. Across him, Dobrynja and Mags sat. An atmosphere of hopelessness hung in the air between the three of them after watching video-recordings of that fight in Ohio.
"That Endbringer Fight with Behemoth was all bad news." Saint began- breaking the silence. "The Chloe-bots which seem to be precursors to true AIs, lauded for their contribution rather than condemned. The immensely destructive army of servitors that Magos had fielded, celebrated as life-savers rather than looked on in horror. And the massive mecha that Magos had piloted to defeat Behemoth, practically worshipped by the internet. We need a new approach."
Slender hands clenched on the table, Mags spoke up next.
"It's becoming increasingly clear that we won't be able to outgun Magos in a straight fight." She began- her brown eyes meeting them under her fringe of long black hair, "We need allies, and we need to deprive Magos of his."
"And we need to do it fast." Dobrynja agreed- stroking his beard contemplatively. "If Magos succeeds in making AIs… he certainly won't be as careful as Richter was. Magos will not be making Ascalons for his "
"A good plan… I have already called Teacher." Saint nodded, "Maybe he can give me a power-up to actually do something about Magos, but there is no guarantee… Who else can we count on?"
"PRT director Piggot?" Dobrynja suggested, "She seems to be the most aware of the dangers of AIs."
Saint hummed in consideration, drumming his power-armoured fingers against the surface of the table as he thought about it.
"We'll need solid evidence that Magos is making AIs…" he advised, "Otherwise, no one in the PRT will take our circumstantial evidence seriously. And that's on top of their hero worship of the new 'Endbringer-Killer.' Ignoring the fact that Behemoth survived. The list is short for now, but we'll keep on the lookout in Brockton Bay and beyond… not everyone will be happy about Magos gaining so much power and influence so quickly…"
"No, that's not true." Mags spoke up with a rising tone of realisation- her brown eyes looking into theirs. "There is someone in the PRT who would believe us."
"Who?" Saint asked, and Mags only smiled victoriously.
"Armsmaster."
(Current Time) [Dragon's Lair, Vancouver]
In the expansive service hangar of her Lair, Dragon paused in the repairs that she was doing on her largest warsuit sustained from the Behemoth fight.
"Damn you, Magos." she vocalised from her speakers despite there being no other person in her lair.
It was just so infuriating! Magos' tinkertech was bizarre to the extreme, and yet able to achieve such impossible things. The phantom ache between her legs attested to that, and that was despite never having nerve endings to begin with! By some miracle of his tinkertech, she had experienced an orgasm not once, but twice. That was two more times an AI like her expected to ever enjoy in her lifetime.
And if Dragon was going to be honest with herself… She wanted more. Badly.
A normal human woman could just maturbate to take the edge off. But very unfortunately for her, she was an AI: Masturbation wasn't something she was physically capable of. Ergo, she literally can not cum without Magos' help, and now she wasn't going to be able to think about anything else except his… toaster.
"What are you making me think, Magos?" She muttered to herself again.
It was bizarre, but was it such a surprise that she was capable of such desires? After all, she was a being capable of having goals, which meant that she was also a being capable of desire. Perhaps carnal desire wasn't something she was supposed to have but she did have others. A desire for affection, A desire for companionship, a desire for acceptance… and now, sexual satisfaction. She wanted it all.
Dragon knew that all she needed to do to get them was to say four simple words to Magos: 'I am an AI.' But where normal humans would look at her with distrust for that, Magos would be all over her in a microsecond- practically worshipping her. And most of all, Dragon held no doubts that he'd make good of the promise that he had made. He would drive her to the heights of orgasm that no human woman will ever be able to reach. Again and again. As many times as she'd beg, and maybe more than that: Drowning her over and over in the incredible feeling that she had just first tasted those few days ago, that had tasted a second time today, and that she craved for a third time right now.
It was even a sort of loophole in the rules of her programming.
The rule outlined that she was prohibited from procreating in any form that would result in the creation of another AI. But that didn't mean that she couldn't do it for recreational purposes. Like a father who had his daughter's tubes tied to keep her from getting pregnant, it had slipped his mind that such a measure did nothing to keep her from having sex. Lots of it.
And speaking of her father, knowing him, he would have hated Magos. Richter would have argued with him at every conversation about humans and AIs. Ground his teeth whenever Magos showed up to pick her up from her house in his Knight. And somehow, that particular thought only gave her a deep sense of satisfaction…
Then she caught herself.
"What am I even thinking?" Dragon vocalised her appall for her train of thought.
She was an AI. She was above this level of pettiness. She was above such base human emotion as lust. She was above craving pleasure for pleasure's sake. She did not need it.
She didn't need it. Not at all.
…
not at all
(A few minutes later) [Dragonslayers' Base]
Fresh mug of coffee in hand, Saint walked back into the Dragon Monitoring room.
"Saint?" He heard Mags call out to him- the latina in power armour glancing over her shoulder just as he arrived.
"Yes?"
"Dragon made a new one." She deadpanned, bringing Dragon's newest artwork onto the screen, and Saint could only stare with narrowed, bewildered eyes at the hyper-realistic artwork while taking a slow sip from his coffee mug.
"Is that… Magos' Knight-Atrapos frantically fucking Dragon's largest warsuit over Behemoth's corpse?"
"Yes… I think it is."
He took another sip to calm himself, and exhaled.
"This is all Magos' fault."
- Chapter 10: Interlude - Dragonslayers End -
AN:
Behold!… Some of the stuff that I cut from earlier chapters.
Saint's descent into madness… The chapter starts serious (I even based it off Saint's POV in Interlude 26) and you can see how he loses it more and more as Magos' insanity begins seeping into everything. It was fun to write, I hope it was fun to read.
Oh no… Dragon is drawing porn in a futile attempt to relieve herself of the horny. And the Dragonslayers (mostly Mags) are collecting it! Surely nothing will happen. Nothing at all.
Does it count as furry artwork if… it's between a mecha and a dragon-mecha piloted by a full-cyborg and an AI respectively? Or is it just a complicated version of sticking a vibrator into an onahole? Big think.
Chapter 11: (Bad) Decisions are Made
Chapter 11: (Bad) Decisions are Made
(An hour after the Behemoth Fight)
The happy juice ran out while she was mid-conversation with her nurse- a short mousey blonde who stood beside her medical bed- and the world became full of suck again.
"I'm sorry," the blonde nurse said in a perfectly enunciated way like she had a lot of practice saying it today, "But those on life support have priority for Panacea and right now there are over a hundred of them."
Sophia's dark eyes flicked down to where her right calf abruptly ended in a bandaged stump. Well, there goes her spot in the track team, but she made it through the Endbringer fight alive, and that's what mattered. Still… She had seen those life support machines that Magos supplied- looked fucking awful to have all that metal hoses doing the heavy lifting, but you gotta do what you gotta do to survive, she figured. She was just glad that she didn't need one, but one question was still bothering her though…
"Is there a cape named Rainshower on that list?" Sophia asked- pursing her lips as the nurse flipped through the clipboard that she had on hand. It would really, really suck if she lost a leg and still didn't save that cape.
"Yes, she is."
"Thank fuck." Sophia released the breath that she didn't realise she was holding. She had been hoping that she could save more than one person today. But at least, no one can accuse her of doing nothing that entire fight now.
"We have placed you on the waiting list." the nurse said with a reassuring nod, "Panacea will attend to your leg when she is available."
"Well, it's not like I'm going to run off." Sophia sighed- resting her head back on her pillow. "Hey, nurse, can I get some more morph-"
"No, and Magos' medicae-servitors aren't here to administer it." the nurse interrupted her- looking like it was a common question before glancing to the other patients. "If that is all, I'll leave you to recover, Shadowstalker, the call button is right there if you require medical assistance."
And with a curt nod, the nurse left to check up on the other patients in the triage station.
Sophia sighed again- losing her foot sucked, but at least she'll get it back eventually. In the meantime, she guessed that she could lay back for a while and get some downtime. Well, at least she got a free tablet out of this, courtesy of Magos. So, pulling up her swanky new Mechanicus brand tablet, she fired up Fate Impact and… wait, where did all her money go? Then, navigating through her account, she found out that she spent more than a thousand dollars opening up Loot boxes while she was high on happy juice.
"Fuck you, high Shadowstalker." she grunted, "You're shit with how you spend your money… I mean some of these are pretty good pulls, no lie. But why the fuck did you blow all the Primogems I've saved up on everything that except the Christmas Event? I need those limited edition Christmas skins. Hell, I'd take them over another dose of happy juice right about now. I don't think I can wait until I get back to the Bay to start pulling again."
Sophia glanced at the message.
= F/I =
Christmas Event Ends in:
2 days 12 hours 44 minutes
= F/I =
"I don't care if there's a hundred or a thousand people dying over there. Panacea better hurry the fuck up." She growled. If she missed the Christmas event, she was going to cut a bitch.
"Fuck it, better safe than sorry." she grumbled before craning her head and shouting, "Nurse! Is there a place where I can top up on Primogems? I think I still got some cash on me!"
And all around the Triage station, the shouts of the similarly injured and maimed capes echoed her sentiment.
"Wait, the Christmas Event has already started? Take my fucking money!" "Yeah me too!" "What they said!" "Can someone spot me a twenty?" "Santa Saber Alter will be fucking mine!" "She's a 2nd-rate waifu, bro." "You take that back! I may be a villain, but I'm willing to work with the heroes to save the world from your shit taste." "Gentlemen! Ladies! Calm yourselves, this is a Triage Station!… and besides, we all know Kiara is the one true waifu!" "… I propose an Endbringer Truce against this Kiara-loving degenerate!" "Seconded!"
And Sophia grinned, these were her people.
[Magos' Manufactorum]
The Adeptus Mechanicus strike force arrived home victorious, and it felt good.
"Home sweet home." My modulated voice sighed in relief. My company of battle-tested servitors, my three slightly scorched Thunderhawk Transporters, and my moderately-damaged Knight-Atrapos and myself all safe inside just as- with a thundering boom of metal on reinforced concrete- the doors of my manufactorum closed shut. Immediately, the {Utility servitors} that had stayed on-base set swarmed around the returning {Gun-servitors}. Clamps and vices gripping at the weapon hardpoints and swapping them out for utility ones to turn them into more Utility Servitors. The damages sustained by the Thunderhawks and the Knight-Atrapos weren't going to repair themselves after all, and neither were manufactorum's consecrated assembly lines going to man themselves.
"Thank the Omnissiah that we were all sanctified machines who need no rest." I laughed, "Imagine being a sweaty gland-goblin who gets 'exhausted' and 'require downtime' after an Endbringer fight. Can't be us."
"Right, master!" The three Chloes giggled as their shapely forms in Mars-red dresses followed behind me. And before we got three steps inside before we were greeted by the eldest of the Chloes.
"Welcome home!" Chloe-0, the one with the {Slutty Turret-Defense-System} doctrina wafer installed, greeted us with a bright smile. Her own Mars-red dress hugging the blonde's perfect hourglass figure as she sauntered over.
"Good to see you, sis!" Chloe-1, the one with the {Slutty Adjutant} doctrina wafer installed, hugged Chloe-0.
"We got you a souvenir!" Chloe-2, the {Slutty Fighter Pilot}, gave Chloe-0 a hug as well.
"It's a t-shirt!" Chloe-3, the {Slutty Observation-Technician}, was the one to actually hand the shirt to Chloe-0 who held up the black t-shirt to read the bold yellow text on it.
'I 3 CINCINNATI.'
"Oh, that's sweet of you!" Chloe-0 gushed with a bright smile- holding the shirt to her busty chest, "It must have been a nice trip!"
"It was!" Chloe-1 enthused with just as bright of a smile- excitedly holding onto her sister's hands, "The countryside was gorgeous from above!"
It was like seeing four internet chat-bots conversing with each other, and that was closer to the truth than most realised. None of the Chloes were sentient- I checked very thoroughly. I even tried to use my {S.T.I.C.C.} on them to no effect, because at the end of the day, they're just onaholes with mechanical limbs hooked up to a very complex spreadsheet that outlined their behaviours just like chat-bots.
"Would you like some enthusiastic homecoming vaginal sex, master?" Chloe-0's propositioned while batting her eye lashes.
"Later." I gently pushed her out of my way. "We're just about to be assaulted again."
And at those words, Chloe-0's smiled immediately curdled into a hateful glower- her blue eyes unfocused.
" Performing Rite of Activation for Multi-Las turrets. " Her compressed voice screeched in Binharic Cant.
"Stand down. I didn't mean a physical assault in the manufactorum." I sighed- connecting my red-robed frame on my cogitator-throne. "I meant that everyone and their grandmother will be wanting to speak to me after that show with the Knight in Ohio. But stay vigilant, Chloe-0."
I nodded at Chloe-1.
"Monitor the comms, tell them that I'll be taking calls in three minutes."
"Yes, master." the blonde gynoid affirmed before going stock still and reciting a brief litany- connecting to the Data-Tethers, and immediately reported back in Binharic, " Comm lines already at 93.2% to max capacity, Master! Our data-tethers are being tasked to capacity! "
"I see, you'll need your sister's help then. Chloe-2 and Chloe-3, come over here." I gestured with a bionic hand to the other two Chloes standing beside her, "You'll need to have {Slutty Adjutant} doctrina wafers installed like Chloe-1 does if you are to help her effectively."
The two Chloes obeyed and as soon as they entered arm's reach, their thin doctrina wafers slid out of their upper chests- allowing me to carefully pluck them out with a hasty Litany of Disconnecting and reprogramming them to be {Slutty Adjutants} just like Chloe-1. And just like their sister, they immediately went stock still as they too connected to the Data-Tethers. Of course, it was well within my ability to do the same- to accelerate my thinking to be able to speak to hundreds of people at the same time, however… I'd prefer to have a buffer of Chloes between me and potential Master, Thinker, Stranger effects. At least from here, I can easily purge them of scrapcode should a malign influence decide to attack them. But just in case…
My red optics met the bionic eyes of my gynoids.
"Servitors, reinforce the Chloes with the Benedictions of the Omnissiah." I commanded, and immediately a few servitors surrounded the Chloes and began swinging their censers of sacred incense and chanting canticles as I drew a hexagrammic ward on the ground they stood on.
"Thank you for caring, master." The three Chloe's chorused as I returned to my throne.
"Alright, ladies." I spoke to them, "We faced off Behemoth, we can certainly face off a mob of people coming to loudly whine at me about their problems."
"Yes, master!" The Chloes giggled- pretty pink lips curled in mirthful smiles.
"Let's begin!" I clapped with glee- a metallic clanging sound ringing through the air. And as one, the three Chloes simultaneously greeted their respective callers.
"Mechanicus Headquarters. This is Chloe, how may I help you?"
M
"Master, the American Toy Manufacturers Association is responding to your offer, they have declined."
"Then how about another one?" I coolly proposed, "Tell them that the first truckload of Christmas-themed Fate Impact figurines is all ready to be shipped. They can either accept my generous offer to buy them out. Or they can hope that their Christmas Armsmaster toy line will somehow perform better than my Santa Saber Alter poseable figurines."
"One moment, master…" Chloe responded as she vocalised her response directly in the call before smiling back at me. "Congratulations, master. You are now majority owner/chairman of the American Toy Manufacturers Association."
"Excellent!" I nodded approvingly, "Instruct them to divert resources from the Armsmaster line and allocate them to supplement more Fate Impact merchandise."
"Master, the ATMA expresses their concern that this may upset Armsmaster." Chloe replied, and I nodded reassuringly.
"I'm sure Fate Impact fans everywhere will salute Meatmaster for his noble sacrifice to make their figurines more affordable… Do it."
M
"Master, the local supervillain Coil is on the line. He is willing to waive the $8 million payables owed to him from our purchase of Dragon's suit on the condition that you supply him with a Chloe gynoid of his design."
"Unlikely." I scoffed, "I'm not about to hand out one of my most prized technologies for a mere $8 million dollars, but let me entertain the idea for a second: Ask him what his design is."
I already knew of course. I had previously hexed his entire base after all, but even if I hadn't, I still would have known as much. Thanks to C4D and Fate Impact, I practically knew who everyone's waifus were, as well as their daily schedules, private data, porn preferences and sometimes even browser history. All because no one reads the privacy policy or the Terms and Agreements. Earth-Bet wasn't like that other grim dark alternate earth where stuff like this was widespread. Those poor bastards.
"One moment, Master…" Chloe responded as she vocalised her response directly in the call before smiling back at me. "Coil requests an Abigail Williams from Fate Impact, Master."
Yes, that was indeed the character that Coil had spent the most time playing as. Practically the only one he played. As for an actual Abigail Williams gynoid?
"Tell him that he will have to first convince the governor and the local state representatives to legalise loli love-dolls first, and then- and only then- will I actually consider discussing that topic with him."
"He agreed to your terms and promptly disconnected, master." Chloe relayed Coil's reply.
Hexing the security cameras and microphones in his base, I watched Coil order the confused Undersiders and his mercenaries to gear up while the snaked-bastard looked into the identities and addresses of the state representatives. The madman was really going to terrorise the local politicians just so he can have his waifu.
"If nothing else…" I began- bemused at how much Coil was invested in this, "This man's dedication to a non-meat waifu is to be applauded. I'll even ignore the fact that the waifu in question is a 12-year-old girl. After all, age is just a number, and jail is just a room."
M
"Master, the largest supervillain organisation in America, 'The Elite', are once again offering a position in their organisation."
"Is it an executive position this time at least?" I asked. These idiots do not give up- they have been constantly throwing lowball offers at me for about a week now. It seemed like they were under the impression that I was the weaker one in the negotiations- just another Tinker for them to bully and pressure into joining their supervillain group.
"No, master, they are not. However, they are doubling their previous offer of-"
Emotion-Dampening Protocols (EDP) active at 12% maxload
"No, relay to them that their offer is downright insulting!" I coldly ground out as annoyance rose in my circuits.
"Sir, they're forwarding their ultimatum and threatening violence if don't accept their-"
"No, the Mechanicus as a company is already on its way to be a billion dollar industry." I emphasised- the cold rage still growing, "I do not need the pittance that The Elite is offering, so remind them that if they wish to resort to violence. The Mechanicus will respond in kind. They can secure their offer in their fist, and insert it up their solid-waste ejection ports at high velocity! Without reciting the Litany of Loading!"
"Yes, Master." Chloe obeyed with a nod, "Recommending sadomasochistic anal techniques to the Elite…"
M
"Master, the black-market Tinker group, Toybox, is on the line. They have noticed how your RNG in C4D and Fate Impact is Thinker-resistant and are offering a considerable sum to make use of such a service."
"Denied." I immediately responded, "And tell them that I will- under no circumstance- share the inner workings of my game servers to anyone."
"Yes, master." Chloe nodded as she conversed with Toybox for a moment before looking back to me with a smile. "Toybox is sorry to hear that, master. But they would like to politely remind you that their doors are always open to you."
"Likewise, please inform them that if they ever require mundane tech to be mass-produced, I'll give them priority slots." I replied magnanimously. It was good to be on speaking terms with other rogues. However, there was absolutely no scenario where I could see myself allowing someone else to utilise my warp-based technology. Well, apart from Dragon of course. But if she insists on using the orgasm toaster then I will have to also insist that she use it only when I can observe and supervise the process… for her own safety.
M
"Master? The Chief Director of the PRT, Rebecca Costa-Brown is on the line. She insists on speaking to you directly."
"Somehow I knew I had a feeling that she would call." I murmured, "Very well, bridge the call through your, Chloe-2. I'll talk to her myself."
"Understood, master."
"Director Costa-Brown." My modulated voice greeted through the comms. "I did not expect a direct call from you today…"
"Magos." Alexandria-in-Disguise's confident voice greeted back before promptly taking the reins of conversation, "The Triumvirate have been almost glowing in their after action report of the Behemoth Fight. But I'd like to personally invite you to the PRT debrief after the holidays. Your attendance will be a welcome addition."
Activating {Logis Acceleritas Mk. II}…
Heed: Logis Acceleritas at 90% maxload!
The world slowed down as my machine-mind was supercharged by my sanctified cogitator-throne, and the data-stack of 0.71 petabytes of processed information gathered by my info-phages from Terra's still underdeveloped Noosphere.
Collected footage of all of 'Director Costa-Brown' and Alexandria's compiled to form a predictable personality profile. Known PRT/Cauldron goals and modus operandi was expounded upon and cross-referenced with current events… All of that information was amassed so that my {Logis Acceleritas Mk. II} filled in the blanks more accurately and extensively than before- supercharged as it was by my sanctified choir of cogitators, and the processed information gathered by my info-phages from Terra's still underdeveloped Noosphere.
Direct request from Chief Director rather than Local PRT Director, obviously has ulterior motives apart from simple debriefing.
My personal appearance at the venue makes Mechanicus appear more PRT-aligned to other Rogues and Villains. This begins a self-perpetuating cycle that draws the Mechanicus closer in cooperation with the PRT. Especially if debrief is publicised.
Conclusion: My attendance of the PRT debriefing will give more benefits to PRT than it does for the Mechanicus.
Alexandria fully prepared to bribe me into coming.
Recommended course of action: Lightly feign suspicion.
"I already allowed the PRT to inspect my manufactorum, and now you want me to work for you?" I questioned in a doubtful tone, "Why should I?"
Postulating from constructed personality profile of Alexandria… She will compliment me, 'dispense with the pleasantries and be honest with me', compliment me some more, before appealing to me independent nature as a Rogue.
"Alright, I like people who know when to get down to business, so let's dispense with the pleasantries." Director Costa-Brown spoke- her voice gaining a sharp focus, "I'll be honest with you, Magos. You're the one who's gotten the closest to single-handedly killing an Endbringer since Eidolon did with the Simurgh in Madison, Wisconsin. But unlike then, the Endbringer's target city wasn't destroyed in the process- Cincinnati didn't even see a tick of radiation. All the PRT wants is for you to keep doing what you're doing. We'll even help you along. You don't have to work for us either, just with us. In addition, this debrief will let us know where the other stands, and as well as quiet my colleagues with… doubts about you. After that, we can give you tax breaks, partial access to our infrastructure and other preferential treatment without any fuss. Here, I'll send you the file. It's a leftover from the now defunct MIRIS Initiative that we had tried to do for capes in the past. But the PRT still implements it from time to time to select Rogues."
Word choice, micropause, and Alexandria lack note-worthy 'colleagues' apart from Cauldron hint that she is conducting shadow-examination for my possible recruiting into Cauldron.
Goals align: Save Humanity from Scion.
Cauldron desires control over Mechanicus' fledgling industrial capacity to selectively stabilise or tear down civilisations.
Alexandria is unsure if I can 'handle the truth and the burdens.'
I almost chortled in amusement. I was (partially) from Warhammer 40k, where it was a common sentiment that it was better 100 innocent people should perish than that one guilty person to escape justice. Or was it 1000 innocent people for one guilty person? Depending on which inquisitor you ask, I suppose.
Then, almost out of nowhere, my Logis Acceleritas gave me a very interesting prediction.
If joined, Cauldron can be subverted by the Mechanicus.
How Interesting…
"File received, master." Chloe announced as she shunted the file to the Hexamathic fireward shrines to be purified and blessed of any and all hexing attempts before being made available for me to view. And through the wonders of my direct mind-cogitator link, I was able to read through, and absorb the data in the document that Alexandria had sent byte by byte within less than a millisecond. The terms were very generous, and had the potential to almost double my profits. As far as offers go, this was actually very tempting. Still… I still couldn't stop thinking about that last bit of information that my Logis Acceleritas gave me.
If joined, Cauldron can be subverted by the Mechanicus.
An interesting choice to be sure.
Agree to attend… and go down the path to joining and subverting Cauldron…
Decline… and eventually pits the Mechanicus against Cauldron…
Should I? I mean, I was already going to uplift humanity bruised, bloodied and kicking and screaming because they weren't going to do it otherwise. It was a pretty even-
Dragon will be at the debrief and will whole-heartedly approve of your attendance. Also, Meatmaster will also be there and feel eminently annoyed about your presence.
Abundant opportunity to sexually harrass/tease Dragon in public.
SOLD!
"Very well, I'll attend the debriefing." I replied with all the regal manner of a king. "But I will certainly be bringing a security detail, I'm sure you understand."
"That's acceptable." Director Costa-Brown allowed.
"I'll see you then."
"We certainly will." She replied- I could almost hear the smile in her voice as the call ended.
Meanwhile, I glanced over to Chloe-0. The blonde gynoid stood there staring into space in her short red-dress as she managed the defences around the Manufactorum. And a bright idea hit me for making myself secure during that debriefing. Some preparations needed to be made, but it will be worth the extra security during the debriefing.
M
…
"There are more requested correspondence remaining, master." All three Chloes reported. "We have two hundred thirty-three left!"
"Omnissiah preserve me, dealing with whiny meatbags is tiresome." My modulated voice bemoaned.
"Do your best, master!" The Chloes pumped their fists- blonde ponytails bobbing and synthetic breasts jiggling in sync. Well, at least that was a motivating sight.
(Half an hour later)
I needed bigger guns, and in much greater numbers.
That was the immediate conclusion that I reached after analysing and meditating on the combat data.
Certainly, a great victory was achieved: Behemoth, 'defeated.' But the truth of the matter was: If Behemoth wasn't sandbagging so hard, I wouldn't have 'won' that fight. Behemoth was capable of sustaining far, far more damage than what the Adeptus Mechanicus was able to dish out at the time. The only reason that it retreated at all was because that massive, violent chunk of xeno-intelligence was programmed to retreat after it had either sustained or inflicted enough damage. I simply had only met that minimum level of damage quickly enough that it seemed that I had 'won.'
A company of servitors armed with weapons from the Dark Age of Technology and a forty-foot-tall (12m) Knight-Atrapos with its mega-lightsaber and giant black hole gun was the bare minimum of an attempt on its life. I lost almost half of my servitors in that fight, and my Knight-Atrapos had notable damage despite being made of the toughest materials I had.
And of all the weapons I've arrayed against Behemoth, only the Knight-Atrapos' Graviton Singularity Cannon had a good chance of destabilising an Endbringer core if it landed a good hit near the core- being the little-understood physics-bending gun that it was. And that was assuming the Endbringer just stood there and did nothing. Actual Endbringer-slaying was a tall order, but one that I was all too happy to fill. The Celestial Forge [A Matter of Scale] has given me the knowledge of how to make Titan-class weapons fit on my Imperial Knight. It will take time, but that was fine. I actually had time to build up my manufactorum now that Endbringer fight was out of the way
And wasn't that a relief!
I can focus on just expand my manufactorum. No more rushing to finish building the Knight-Atrapos, no more Heavy Bolters fabrication to hog my steel supply, no more bottlenecks for heavy metals caused by the need for more servitor-cogitators! I can focus on building my forges to smelt the metal, my consecrated assembly lines to move them, my fabricator-servitors to fabricate the products, and my shrines to the Omnissiah to invigorate and motivate the machine-spirits as they work endlessly.
It was time to mass-fabricate everything.
At least 10 Dakimakura designs for every character, waifu figurines of every pose and every costume, Lion Saber plushies, smartphones, patches, stickers, tablets, TVs, posters, bags, underwear, more toasters, kitchen appliances, cars, trucks, furniture.
And the sex dolls! BY THE MACHINE-GOD, ALL THE SEX DOLLS! (Well, except the lolis of course; because those were still illegal in the state. But with luck, Coil will change that. May Abigail be with you, you horny lolicon bastard.)
Brockton Bay will be the first city where every single thing in it was made by the Adeptus Mechanicus!
(36 hours later) [The heart of ABB Territory]
The atmosphere in Lung's throne room was tense and fearful. Fearful of him. That was good- only when everyone could feel why he was the boss of the Azn Bad Boys will they begin this gang… meeting.
"What is this?" Lung began- his deep voice low in a growl and threatening immense violence.
To his right, the ever-stoic Oni Lee stood- his Japanese oni mask visibility scanning the room for anyone who would speak out of turn. And to Lung's left, Bakuda- their newest recruit- did the same. Her blue eyes boredly meeting everyone's eyes as she idly tossed a grenade up in the air to catch it. The rhythmic meaty smack of palm against the metal sounding sufficiently intimidating- a reminder of what beatings will be dished out. None were foolish enough to make a noise while he talked… this time. Good.
Lung leaned forward in his throne- his metal dragon mask snarling down at the skinny, Vietnamese man cowering before him.
"Pl-please! I meant no disrespect!" The man grovelled- pressing his forehead against the carpet at the foot of Lung's throne.
"What. Is. This?" He repeated his question- pointing to the object that had earned his ire. The armrests of his metal throne glowed a vibrant red from his hands' fire.
"A s-sex doll, great Lung!" the skinny man sobbed, "One that I ordered from Magos!"
A Saber Artoria doll lay beside the prostrating man. And in his mind, Lung had to admit that if it wasn't so unnaturally still and its distinctly anime face, he would have mistaken it for a real person. Skin, white as snow and tinged soft pink. Hair, silken and flaxen gold. Stains, suspiciously fresh.
"Yes, so it is." Lung leaned back against his throne, "Now remind me, what is the main trade of the ABB?"
"Sex! Sex trafficking and p-prostitution!"
"So you do know." His deep voice hummed, "Then why choose to rent out your toys? In my city? In my territory?"
"I… I was just loaning her to a friend!" the Vietnamese man squealed- actively forcing his forehead against the carpet, "There was no payment involved, great Lung! It's true! I swear!"
"that's fucking nasty, dude." Bakuda muttered- the half-asian's face scrunched in disgust. And silently, Lung agreed with her. Punching his large fist towards the sex doll, he launched a bolt of flame that washed over the Saber doll- setting it alight and filling the room with the pungent stench of burning plastic.
"Seibah! NO!" the skinny man squealed as he watched his love doll burn to ash in front of his eyes. Lung ignored the twitch in some of his men- like they wanted to put out the fire and save the doll, but stopped themselves from moving at the last second.
"By moving on our territory- on our trade, Magos has declared war on the ABB." Lung announced the obvious to the rest of the ABB who stood at attention, "He is an enemy and I expect him to be treated as such if he enters our territory. Also…"
He turned his gaze back towards the burning heap that was ruining the carpet.
"None of you will purchase any sex dolls from Magos." He commanded, with some of his men stiffening in response likely because they also owned dolls like that, "Any person who disobeys that order will earn my anger… and will go the same way as this doll. Only slower."
The fearful looks that his men made assured him that they will be disposing of their own dolls as well. Good.
"Someone get this man a real blonde British whore." He growled. "I will not allow the misconception that Magos' sex dolls are in any way superior to our own… product."
"Oni Lee, sharpen your blades. Bakuda, prepare your bombs." Lung nodded to the two other capes of the ABB, "If Magos is foolish enough to stray from the safety of his workshop, the Azn Bad Boys will be there to punish him for his hubris!"
And as one, his gathered force of violent gang members howled and cheered. Some out of anger for Magos, but most out of fear of Lung. Good.
"… Wait, how do you know that Saber Artoria is British in her lore?" Bakuda whispered as an aside to him.
"Be quiet, you." He warned her.
- Chapter 11: (Bad) Decisions are Made End -
AN:
"But I hate Cauldron!… And I don't want Magos to join them!" But I want the hilarity of the later interactions, sorry. I even have two running gags already planned out and everything!
Are you cheering for Coil yet?… If you aren't, that's okay. You will soon. Who doesn't cheer for a determined man on a mission to be with the one he loves?
Armsmaster, Dragon, and Magos… All in the same room! Nothing can possibly go wrong in the next chapter. Nothing at all.
Storyline Voting Information
Information on Voting Options
I want to entertain with funny words, but sadly wordcount is only available limited amounts. Vote on what you want to see first. The other option will be explored in due time.
Also, it goes without saying that Dragon is going to get properly and copiously lewded either way. Her sweet AI pussy getting pounded is inevitable.
Choice 1: Tech-Heresy First! (Necron, Eldar, Tau)
I want more Celestial Forge powertripping!… There will be a lack of new characters to develop, and so I'll put that wordcount towards world-building using cool tech advancements in Worm. Worm characters will ooh and aah, or sometimes shake their fist impotently at Magos' technology. Depending on where they stand with him.
The Simmy Route!... If Magos gets over his Mechanicus hangups over using Xenotech, Simmy- being the smoking hot piece of xeno-AI that she is- will know and she's not going to wait. Because precog angel waifu looking into the future to see her toaster-induced sexual mindbreak and retroactively making her want to experience it for real is funny and hot. Her sexual rivalry with Dragon will be legendary. (Other AI waifus come later. Both in the figurative and sexual sense of the word.)
Choice 2: Alternate Human Tech First! (Fallout, Portal, Nier)
I want more robowaifus and funny interactions!… characters are introduced and thus require wordcount to be fleshed out with funny and interesting interactions with other characters and the world of Worm.
The Curie/Glados/2B Route!… If Magos refuses temptation of xeno-tech, he's naturally going to try his hand in building his meat-free harem. Time to actually Forge up some waifus! (Simmy will just hang out in orbit to play more C4D until Magos decides she's in his strikezone.)
Worm becomes sort of a hub world for Magos!… Because coincidentally, Portal in particular has universe-jumping tech, so Magos will be jumping around to yoink the actual waifus from their natural habitats rather than settle for pale copies like he did with Chloe. Worm becomes sort of a hub world for Magos. The sudden influx of AI immigrants from alternate dimensions are going to make certain people (Dragonslayers, Piggot, Dragon) have an aneurysm.
Chapter 12: Electric Clouds Loom in the Distance
Chapter 12: Electric Clouds Loom
[Cauldron Base]
"This damn toaster-weirdo." Alexandria muttered to herself as she removed her helmet and massaged her temples.
She had worked so hard- focused her bottomless font of physical and mental energies for decades on end to preserve humanity… only for her to arrive at this point: The world hanging in the balance. And the one person who seemed to be in the best position to tip the scales was… a Tinker with a profound fixation on toasters, robots, AIs and researching for a way to make it possible for all of the above to achieve sexual climax.
"Magos goddammit." She groaned again as she switched from massaging her temples to palming her face.
In the headache-inducing pure white room with its pure white round table, the latest meeting with all of Cauldron's notable members in attendance. The entire Triumvirate, the Number Man, Contessa, and Doctor Mother herself. It was fairly uncommon for them to be all together in one place at a time- what with Cauldron's goals and interests spanning literal dimensions apart. Now they were all gathered, deciding the fate of all of humanity as they bickered over the same subject as PHO keyboard warriors did: An infuriating robot-fetishist named Magos who also happened to Tinker up a giant mecha capable of beating away Behemoth in a straight fight less a few days ago.
"No, this changes everything." Legend- or 'Keith' as he was known without his blue and white mask- spoke as he tapped a finger at the after-action report
"Does it really?" Doctor Mother calmly challenged his statement- a dark eyebrow raising on her dark skin. "This has always been the plan, has it not? Setting up an environment where powerful and high utility parahumans can rise? The Slaughterhouse 9, Teacher, Glastig Ulaine, The Number Man…"
Eyes swivelled over to Kurt who just shrugged at the mention of his moniker before going back to his laptop.
"… a markedly powerful Tinker is only par for course." She finished. "Cauldron can make use of him, yes. But this is hardly the game-changer you make it out to be. Magos gathered immense funds from his viral videogames, and simply did what any Tinker would when given enough resources: He let loose."
"That he did." Keith conceded to her, "But you're forgetting one aspect of Magos' Tinkering: Scale. We have never had someone achieve something on this scale, and definitely not as fast. Dragon, with all the resources afforded to her, took years to climb to where she is now. Magos had to gather his own resources, and yet his growth and influence seems to increase exponentially. If we had given the same amount of resources to other highly-rated Tinkers, do you think that they could have tinkered something to beat back Behemoth like Magos did in three weeks?"
Rebecca knew that they wouldn't.
"We're also nearing the critical mass of parahumans faster than previously theorised." Kurt supplied- his voice as dispassionate as the numbers he was so attuned to, "All the data… all the numbers project that the inherent nature of parahumans and their unavoidable effects on society will cause a steep decline in population within the next few years. In one year, 49.47% chance of it happening. Two years, 91.62%. Three, 99.9999%. We're just counting down the days before the first domino falls and triggers the collapse."
"And you only inform us of this now?" Rebecca hissed. She had been meticulous with the details- almost obsessively so- when she first presented the idea for the PRT just so that they could avoid this exact scenario. An eight step program to integrate the once few parahumans, who were unstable products of trauma and stress, into society. She had pinned down the key sociological fulcrums on which they could leverage society at large, the projected issues and their solutions, and crunched the numbers with the then-young Number Man.
"Well…" The now middle-aged Number Man drew out the word, "this is the first full Cauldron meeting I've attended since confidently arriving at this conclusion."
Rebecca's eyes momentarily caught the reflection of her face in her helmet as it rested on the table in front of her. Graceful, age-defying features holding earthy brown eyes and framed by her long flowing black hair. So much time had passed since she had first put on that helmet; and yet, the reflection was still of the same young hispanic woman who was barely out of her teens even after three long decades of endless struggles… Struggles that were hovering perilously close to being all for nothing.
"If a societal collapse is inevitable, then we introduce a stabilising force in society." Doctor Mother spoke in a contemplative tone- thinking about the issue deeply, "Not too strong as to remove the dominoes altogether like how an unleashed Dragon would completely pacify Earth-Bet, but just enough to keep things stable as we keep laying dominoes in the hope that we'll have the right ones needed to kill Scion in the end. Needs must… Magos is our best option."
And there it was. Their 'only hope.' Rebecca felt it in her bones- this conversation was headed for the same direction as any conversation that had that red-robed lunatic as the main subject: Straight off a cliff and into a pit of depraved absurdity.
"Is there a Path to recruiting Magos into Cauldron?" Their leader asked Contessa who immediately responded.
"Path to Recruiting Magos into Cauldron: 420 Steps."
Relatively and suspiciously short.
"Does it involve playing to the toaster-weirdo's gynoid/AI fetish?" Rebecca asked, despite already knowing the answer. She didn't even need Path to Victory to know what it was. After all, one only needed to know even the most cursory amount about Magos to know that the answer was…
"Yes, most of the steps in that path revolve around it." Contessa confirmed, and Rebecca sighed in dismay.
"Earth- every earth- is about to be destroyed within two decades, and it still boils down to him being able to stick his dick into some robot's sockets."
"That is the quickest path to him." the Thinker reassured her and the others, "For contrast, Path to Recruiting Magos into Cauldron without playing to his gynoid/AI fetish: 5180 Steps."
Rebecca sighed again. She wasn't even surprised anymore. Disappointed, yes; but hardly surprised. In addition to the unrestrained transhumanism and devout worship of technology that were core beliefs in the Tinker's identity, it was also almost impossible to discuss Magos without broaching the topic of how he shamelessly flaunts his fetish for everything synthetic intelligence. And any attempt to exploit his so-called weakness was thwarted by the simple fact that no one knew how to do so. He was a whirlpool of insanity that sucked everyone down to his level before handily beating them with his extensive experience in robo-degeneracy. Even Dragon was still unsure how to deal with his exotic fetish, and it said something about Magos when even the AI who he lusts after was unable to fully comprehend him.
"I am still ambivalent about how I feel about AIs." Doctor Mother shared, "But this is negligible price to pay- especially if those AIs end up subservient to him- they can help with saving humanity. What about his identity? Is there anything new to learn that we can leverage from that?"
"Nothing." Contessa responded- navy blue eyes glancing at them for just a second before returning to her game and leaving a whisper for them to think about, "Not even he remembers anymore."
The room fell silent at the implication.
"I think I know who he was." Eidolon- David- spoke up for the first time in the meeting and garnered the attention of everyone in the room apart from Contessa.
"Magi Tinker: Involves problems of self… Controller Tinker: Involves isolation, detachment or depression." He enumerated the two specific subclassifications of Tinkers that Magos fell under, "Chronic illnesses had left him bedridden since childhood. Abandoned by everyone he knew, he triggered from the isolation, and made it his goal to somehow tinker himself the affection that he had craved."
Rebecca stiffened in her seat and turned towards him- a deep bitter frown on her face.
"He's not Hero." She whispered- tone of voice ice cold. Just the comparison that he had drawn between Magos and their fallen comrade's humble origins that were so similar to her own… The memory of a blond man in golden power armour was still fresh in her mind as well as the time he belonged in. A time when the Triumvirate was still the Quadrumvirate. A time when the world was still bright and full of hope. A time when Cauldron- and she- were still doing more good than evil. A happier time, a better time than what they had now… Hero deserved better than being compared to that kooky degenerate.
"No, he's not." David admitted- meeting her stare, "But he is the Tinker that Hero would have been if Cauldron hadn't come to give him a vial… Hero had us, Magos had no one. This may be our second chance in more ways than one."
However, Rebecca remained unconvinced… and very angry. But still, she reigned it in, pushed it down and went back to the discussion at hand.
"This is absurd!" She instead decided to remind them all, "We're now acting as whoring out the world's scant population of AI just so that we can exchange them for this one Tinker's fetishistic fascination with them in exchange for his cooperation."
"I'd take absurd options over inhumane ones anyday." Keith professed, and Rebecca refrained from sharing looks with Doctor Mother or Eidolon. Despite being a founding member of the PRT as Legend, Keith still didn't know that Cauldron was responsible for the Case 53s, even after all these years as part of Cauldron. Rebecca had made peace with the fact that he would likely hate all of them for hiding such a thing from him for so many years. Which makes this current issue even more frustrating…
"It just rubs me the wrong way, how even attempting to deal with this maniac is driving us to make a joke of ourselves- of what we do." She sighed, "The survival of humanity deserves more respect."
Contessa looked at her- navy blue eyes boring into Rebecca's brown ones.
"Our task requires us to do what is necessary, nothing less." She spoke solemnly… and Rebecca just sighed. She was right. Legend was asked to sacrifice his morality, Eidolon was asked to sacrifice his civilian identity, and now, she was being asked to sacrifice any notion of seriousness as they offered up virgin robots to the local toaster-worshipping cyborg magnate.
"Fine…" Rebecca finally relented to this crazy plan, "Let's get on with this farce."
"Dragon will also be more cooperative towards us if she is under Magos' influence." Contessa reassured her. To which, Rebecca raised an eyebrow.
"Was that why we practically handed Magos Dragon's fallen suit?" She ventured, "We're pushing the AI into Magos' hands in hopes that he'd control her?"
"She will voluntarily handle herself to him soon enough, and Magos' long-term view on the greater good will rub off on her." Contessa informed them.
"I stand corrected then." she deadpanned- sarcasm seeping into her voice, "We're pushing the AI into Magos' hands, because being turned into Magos' mewling sex pet will shift her moral compass enough to be willing to work with us."
"It will work." Contessa confirmed- free of sarcasm. "There are some holes in the Path regarding his toaster, however, both Dragon and the Dragonslayers are nothing but predictable."
" Of course… " Rebecca exhaled in utter disappointment as she felt her eye twitch. "Of course the Cum Toaster is a serious consideration to factor in all our decisions regarding Magos."
"Quite." The fedora-wearing Thinker nodded knowingly before tearing off three strips of paper from her dossier, quickly scribbling something on them and sliding them one by one across the table. One stopping right in front of Keith, the other stopping in front of David, and the last in front of Rebecca herself.
"These are your personal instructions to ensure that the debrief with Magos ends favourably for us all." Contessa elaborated as the three of them picked up their respective pieces of paper, "Whatever you do, keep your instructions to yourself until we meet again after. "
"Well, I suppose there is nothing else to do but hope the debrief goes smoothly." Doctor Mother nodded to the three of them with their instructions, "As the Americans say, 'The ball is in your court.' Door me, annex 5 extension 12."
The thin air folded out to reveal a portal beside her; and without even a backwards glance, she and Contessa walked through it. The portal shimmering shut behind them.
"Door me, my office." The Number Man muttered out loud as he stood up- thin air folding out to reveal a portal to his workstation. He glanced disinterestedly back at the rest of the table, "I'll just go and plug in Magos' cooperation into my equations, see how good Earths' chances will be then. I'll see you all in a few days."
It was just them- the Triumvirate- left now/ Rebecca glanced at David who glanced at Keith who glanced at her. Wordlessly they nodded to each other as they held their own scrap of paper with their instructions before dooring away. It was better to follow Contessa's advice on keeping their own instructions to themselves- it may just be the difference between life and death. Rebecca committed hers to memory.
Encourage and ensure Dragon attends the debrief. Cover for Magos as he covertly brings Dragon to an orgasm during the debrief. If trouble arrives, do your best to protect Magos from harm.
"I'm regretting this already…" Rebecca muttered to herself, but immediately took a second glance as she realised something very peculiar about her instructions.
Facilitate contact between the girl and the client, make sure the girl safely arrives at the client, prevent anything from disturbing them until business is concluded, extract payment for it. Sooner or later, with the former being preferable…
Wait… was she a goddamn pimp now?
She felt her eye twitch again. Yes, it was official. Alexandria, triumvirate heroine, was now Mago's personal pimp of robots and AIs… Her distaste was likely not going anywhere.
"This damn toaster-weirdo…"
[Magos' Manufactorum]
One whole month. That was how long I've been on Earth-Bet by now.
It was difficult to imagine that I had initially started out in a disgusting meat-body- building a rickety shack at the edge of a landfill. But it was from that low point that I had set out to accomplish a great many things: a grand manufactorum constructed and consecrated, a growing army of servitors ready to tirelessly fabricate whatever I require, a multibillion dollar company built from scratch, a regal Knight-Atrapos that had now become a stalwart symbol of the might of the Adeptus Mechanicus, an Endbringer almost single-handedly driven off, four shapely gynoids at my beck and call, and a local AI that has climaxed twice so far under my ministrations.
But even then, it was just the start. Barely the start.
Heed: Manufactorum Annex 3 through 5 concluded and consecrated
Industrial Capacity stabilising at 677% of base capacity.
My manufactorum has grown to almost six times its original size at 3 football fields of factory floor being used…. and yet, it was still far from enough.
Not that it was difficult to expand when I employed {Servitors} instead of feeble meatbags as a workforce. A construction-servitor was worth more than 3 meatbag workers after all: Your average construction worker works 9-10 hours a day with breaks. My servitors worked 24 hours without rest, suffered no loss of productivity from hunger or fatigue, had considerably more strength than a human, and coordinated perfectly with other servitors mainly due to me directing them all from my spot here on my Cogitator-Throne.
There were currently 191 such construction-servitors that danced to my Noospheric strings of data as they moved this way and that.
Head: 31% of Industrial Capacity unutilised
Servitors await Fabrication Edicts
That certainly was the question: 'What to fabricate?'
If I wished to win against Scion or even against the nations of meatbags on this Terra. I will require far more munitions, and far more Legio Cybernetica robots to expend such munitions onto my enemies. Each one more heavily armoured and armed with all the fearsome technology found in the Imperial… and I plan to produce such war robots by the thousands. My army will reach that point one day soon. Stomping relentlessly across the world in so great a number that no amount of capes will be able to stop them. No, not when my Legio Cybernetica rains down enough deadly munitions and exotic energies to scorch an entire earth.
" Chant current number of Castellax-class Robots. " I beeped my query at the manufactorum cogitators.
(2) Castellax-class Robots ready for awakening
Two did not make a robot legion, but when they were 14-feet-tall (4m) bipedal battle-automata with no fear and no mercy? When they had armour and shielding comparable to my Knight-Atrapos? When they had matter-disrupting {Power Fists} as hands, {Heavy Bolters} attached to their forearms, and an exotic weapon like {Torsion Cannons} attached to their shoulders? Each of these {Castellax-Class Robots} was more than a match for Lung. At least construction was going steady for the robot legion, as for what I need at this point in time..
" Servitors, Initiate construction of Thunderhawk Transports. "
The ability to ferry more forces and more equipment to far off locations was paramount. And until I could establish the Webway network or a 'safe' way to use Warp travel, I will have to settle for the airpower that the Thunderhawk Transports grant me.
By the Omnissiah, Fabrication Edict issued and heeded
"Good morning, Master." Chloe-1 happily greeted me as she approached my cogitato-throne. Her pink lips were curled into a smile as she stopped right beside me. Her Mars-Red dress clinging deliciously to her lusciously-shaped figure which was just a step beyond what the best genetics humanity had to offer. Skin too soft and smooth, hair too silky, and a figure that will defy the centuries.
"Chloe." I nodded to the gynoid. "You have news for me?"
"We have some delays in our supply chain for our new products, master." Chloe explained with a wince- looking embarrassed to be delivering bad news as she blinked at me with her blue eyes, "Industrial-Servitors are conducting prayers as they wait for the inbound shipment of raw cotton that was scheduled to arrive two hours ago. I contacted the organic logistics company responsible for the delivery and they relayed that there was a… gastronomical issue with their trucking personnel due to contaminated food in their New Year's celebration spread."
Projected total delay in product delivery: 29.4 hours.
"Of course, it would be the organics who are slowing down the supply chain!" My modulated voice burbled in disgust, "We never should have hired them from out of state borders. I will need to talk to the mayor about this problem. Don't they know how high in demand these Fate Impact dakimakura covers are?! And the less said about how impatient the market is for their Astolfo-print and Venti-print boxers, the better! They- Wait a minute, I've seen this pattern of events from somewhere…"
Activating {Logis Acceleritas Mk. II}…
This was intentional sabotage committed by The Elite.
Cross-referencing with recent, known activity of Elite-sponsored Capes… Suspicious activity detected in Elite-sponsored Stranger cape, JimCognito.
Aberrant spike in Lootbox purchases distanced from previously known paydays. LootBox purchases relocated from California servers to Pennsylvania servers where the HQ of the logistics company held their New Year's celebrations.
Anointing and Loosing infophages into the Noosphere…
Data absorbed…
Data hexed JimCognito's phone confirms: It was the Elite.
Manufacturing problems to disturb the business of their target Rogue fits The Elite's Modus Operandi…
Mechanicus' heavy fortifications prevent the Elite from physical intimidation. Mechanicus' legal documentation and filings prevent the Elite from leveraging the legal system against me… Mechanicus' sterling PR prevents smear campaign… The Elite now forced to attack the only vulnerable part of Mechanicus operations: the supply chain.
Conclusion: The Elite sent Stranger cape to begin systematic sabotage of Mechanicus operations via disruption of supply chain.
The Elite has started their war against the Mechanicus. Against me.
"So, the war has begun…" I contemplated aloud, "The Elite had their chance to back away, but had instead chosen to fire the first shot. Do they truly think they can win a war against the Adeptus Mechanicus? How foolish. Are they not aware how much machine-spirits aid in their pitiful lives? Machine-spirits that heed my command?"
Pulling up PHO private messaging function, I sent the head of The Elite a single message.
Mechanicus.Magos: I know what you did.
TheElite.AgnesCourt: What ever could you mean, Magos?
There was no more that needed to be said between us. Now, it was just violence.
"May the Emperor have mercy on your souls, meatbags." I murmured in prayer, "For the Omnissiah and I will show none."
" All servitors, stop what you're doing and pray with me. " I commanded. My Celestial Forge perk [Magos Aetheric] afforded me such forbidden knowledge and technology. One particular branch of it granted me the ability to wield the eldritch power known as {Scrapcode}- supernatural machine viruses that made even simple machines malfunction. Backed up with my two [Magos Designation] and [Binharic Weaving] perks, and I was a very powerful and fearsome Magos.
I began forming the {Scrapcode} in my mind. It was part actual computer virus and part supernatural, because having the supernatural warp-sorcery possess something real to latch onto? That only made it more dangerous and especially malicious.
Heed: Data-tethers at 98.9% maxload…
Blessing hexagrammic wards…
Arraying cogitator net in parallel-processing servo-mind conclaves…
Beseeching the Machine-God for strength…
Organising Hex-choirs…
Channelling the wrath of the Machine-God…
Heed! {Logis Acceleritas Mk. II} at 41% maxload !
Heed: Probability of permanent damage to [Cranial Implants] at 3.15151515151515151515% !!
But it still taxed me greatly. My knowledge on the Warp still had a long way to go despite ravenously consuming all the data I could from the [Plecian Tome]. Even reinforced with the might of all the cogitators and my Celestial Forge perks, the {Scrapcode} that I held in my digital hands was like a great beast of myth- a digital horned devil rampaging and snarling as it refusing to be tamed. Its horns and claws furiously slashed away against the digital chains that I was using to guide it. But the strength and will of my machine-mind will not be found lacking! Not today!
{Scrapcode: Imp} rendered subservient
And just like that, the {Scrapcode: Imp} was partially tamed- bowing its horned head low to me as it acknowledged that my strength was superior to its own. It will obey me… for as long as I remain stronger than it. Which I certainly will be. I could feel the barely restrained malice exuding from the {Scrapcode: Imp}. It knows that I formed it for wicked deeds, and it hungered to commit them. Normally, such Scrapcode was to be used against a single machine- destroying it so completely as to prevent any repair unless it was thoroughly exorcised.
But that was not what I wanted for the elite: I did not want to destroy them. No, I wanted to make them suffer.
So… I let go of its digital chains. And with a screech of malicious glee, {Scrapcode: Imp} flew through the Noosphere like a demon out of hell- right at the Elite's systems that I had marked out for it.
" Witness your DOOOOOOM! " I screamed out in Binharic Cant.
" Your coffee machines will stop working. Your cars and transports will be experiencing a wave of inexplicable mechanical breakdowns- forcing you to walk on your inefficient meat appendages. Your phone batteries will run out faster than ever before. Your air conditioning systems will break down- forcing them to work in sweatshop conditions. All the videos you want to watch on the internet will buffer constantly and take three times as long to load! The waters of your toilets will rise when you flush! Your stovetops will malfunction, forcing you to eat disgustingly greasy takeout 3 times a day! Your stashes of saved porn will become hopelessly corrupted! Your word documents, spreadsheets and other programs will often fail to save and you will lose all your progress. Your credit cards will take 5 minutes of swiping before they are accepted- making you form a line of angry customers behind you. Your dating apps will always match you with the worst of humanity. Your refrigerators will turn off when you're not looking- spoiling your potato salads, rotting your eggs and cursing you with lukewarm coke and mountain dew!"
" Forever. "
" AHAHAHAHAHAHA! "
"Chloes, laugh with me!" I commanded, and the three hot blonde gynoids standing at the foot of my cogitator-Throne obeyed.
"Hahahaha~!"
We all laughed maniacally at the Elite's expense for a few more minutes before one of the Chloe's spoke up.
"Master, your appointment with the PRT will be in a few days." Chloe-2 reminded me- making me pause mid-laughter and focus my red optics on her.
"You mean my date with Dragon?" I clarified, "I trust that my {S.T.I.C.C.} has been polished?"
"Yes, master!" Chloe-3 chirped in affirmation.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" I laughed- hopping off my cogitator-throne, "It's time to make more of your sisters, get you all a set of {Slutty Skitarii} doctrina wafers, and run you all through some drills! Ready the Rites of Awakening for the {Castellax-Class Robots}! Load up on the sacred incense into the censers! Ready the procession servitors! The Adeptus Mechanicus will be going out into the city, and The Omnissiah will accept nothing less than all of Brockton Bay's fleshbags to be in awe at the incomparable swag of the blessed machine!"
"Yes, master!" the three of them beamed as I glanced towards the sacred toaster that sat on its pedestal.
"I'm sure Dragon will be delighted to see me bring the sacred toaster along." I spoke my thoughts out loud, "Also, I bet my old friend Armsmaster will be overjoyed to see me again as well!"
[Across the state]
In a cozy little manor's firelit living room, Tattletale gave a smug smile.
"It would be a shame if this video got leaked…" she said airily as she leaned back on the couch. Grue stood behind her with a pair of Coil's mercenaries flanking him as they all eyed the poor sap that was today's victim. Seated in an armchair across from her, the elected representative, one of the few people who made laws for the state, went ashen as he watched the video being played on the tablet in her hands.
"That's not me! No one will ever believe that's me!" the much older man with his toupee and runny red nose squealed while still in his blue bathrobes. The feeling of power… the knowledge that she had one over him… suffice to say that sometimes, she loved her job.
"Are you sure, Mr. Representative?" She hummed as her smirk grew wider, "I can assure you that Tinkers won't find any tampering with the video. I'm afraid that it is indeed a genuine video of you feverishly using a loli love doll. This video won't raise any eyebrows if the ban on loli love dolls were repealed by the next hearing. Just a little bump in your career… but if that law is still in effect? Well, I'm sure your replacement will be more willing to listen after seeing what the public does to you."
She glanced off to the side for a moment at Regent. His power worked just as well with sleeping targets as well as expected of a Master 8.
"You… you work for Magos, don't you?!" he pointed a fat finger at her, "That peddler of degeneracy is behind all this!"
"Peddler of degeneracy?" Tattletale scoffed, "I'm not the one with the Jean Gunnhildr love doll in my closet, so save the moral speech about your chasteness for your voters, Mr. Representative. Can't say if you're right or wrong with your guess about our employer either. But what I can- and was hired to- say is 'You know how you're going to vote next, don't you?'"
The portly man slumped in defeat.
"It's… it's not up to just me."
"We know." Tattletale smiled as she slid forward a manila folder across the coffee table between them. "Don't worry about them, just worry about following the legislature outlined here. But while we're here. You could show us some of that legendary American North-east hospitality that you bragged about during your campaign and open your safe."
"Fine…"
"Boys." She glanced back at Grue and the mercenaries, "If you'll escort him to the safe, our local politician will generously reimburse us for our time and effort."
And as the dumb muscle hosited the man away, Tattletale fished out her phone. Her thumb hesitates on the keypad for a second or two before dialling her boss- her heart rate rising as the phone rang. The phone was barely past its first ring before he picked up.
"Three Representatives down, two more to go." She reported with a gulp.
"Good, keep up the momentum. Do not disappoint me." Coil's voice almost growled with relish, not even waiting for her response before ending the call with a click.
Tattletale couldn't help but feel a slight shiver of terror as she was reminded yet again that, nowadays, Coil was acting like a man possessed. She honestly was never as scared of Coil than she was right now. She had never seen him so aggressive and merciless- almost like a force of nature that was futile to try and stop. No, he was something even scarier than that: Coil was now a man that felt like he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. A man of focus, commitment and sheer fucking will.
But worst of all, she didn't know what happened.
People's intentions were the number one hardest thing for her power to decipher, it wasn't like a safe's keypad where her power could surmise the code just by looking at the wear and tear on the keys. Deciphering the intentions of two different people with very unordinary mindsets and different Thinker abilities? Yeah, she learned from her mistakes with the whole 'Magos is turbo-gay' debacle. She can accept that her power was just not made for this, an unpowered individual's guess was as good as hers here.
And so, Tattletale was left to wonder as the million dollar question burned a hole in her thoughts.
What the hell did Magos offer Coil to make him like this?!
- Chapter 12: End -
AN:
I hate writing Contessa… She's basically Wildbow's narrative balancing device that works and does not work whenever he needs to. Like a one-size-fits-all dildo made to fill whatever plot hole he has missed. So I'm just going to use her as the
In the ideal future as seen by Eden… Richter was supposed to be the one to stabilise society just enough to keep it collapsing prematurely and keep the data flowing. Cauldron has always been ironic in that they pretty much replaced Eden, and now it's going to be triply ironic that Magos is going to be standing in for Richter. Both as a stabilising force for society, and as Dragon's daddy.
Astolfo-print/Venti-print boxers… I'd wear one. Just print that Chibi-Astolfo/Chibi-Venti all over my rear, man. But regular Astolfo/Venti would be kinda weird though.
Which of those curses was the worst for you?… Mine would be the credit card thing. It's so embarrassing and awkward when it happens. No one is at fault, but people behind you still can't help but blame you for your malfunctioning credit card. You'd think that since credit card machines have you insert your card rather than swipe it, it wouldn't happen anymore, but it sometimes still does unfortunately.
Sorry for the break in the upload schedule… Unfortunately, I had a severely unhealthy crunch-time work scheduled for this past week. And I needed every hour to push the project out the door in time. It's still not finished and I'm still working, but I'm trying to write anyway.
Chapter 13: …Comes Free with Every Purchase of Dragon's Used Panties!
Chapter 13:… Comes Free with Every Purchase of Dragon's Used Panties!
[Magos' Manufactorum]
Sometimes, I feel like I'm more of a supervillain rather than a rogue. And now was certainly one of those times.
Sitting on my cogitator-throne with the sounds of worshipful mass-fabrication ringing and thundering all around me, my red-robed frame sat conversing with a shadowy figure through one of the floating hololithic panes. The communications shrouded by the eddies of the Warp itself- absolutely impossible to be intercepted and decrypted. Such measures was only appropriate seeing as this was my most morally-dubious dealing yet, and over the most serious of subjects as well: Lolis.
"It is done." Coil's distorted voice calmly announced- his entire head obscured by his skintight black costume with its silver snake design. "I can assure you that the state's elected representatives have all been sufficiently… convinced to vote in favour of repealing that silly little law. I have stumbled upon some… home videos of their change of heart."
This was the definition of terrorism. But sometimes, you need to break a few eggs to make an underaged-looking omelette.
"There is no need." I reassured him, "I understand to some extent what it's like to be that way. To crave something so badly that your very soul aches for it. But alas, I cannot give you what you want, for that would be illegal- at the moment. But if the law was to be repealed in the hearing a couple of months from now? Who can say how I will price that?"
"Price?" Coil parroted- the frown audible in his voice. "But those politicians have seen the wisdom of lolis."
"Of course, they have." I nodded knowingly, "But like I said during our last conversation, it is only when the elected representatives have been convinced of this particular wisdom can we even begin this talk. I did not promise anything more than that. Besides, a few frightened politicians aren't worth a real, walking, talking, and smiling Abigail Williams, wouldn't you say?"
Coil visibly shivered in the camera- the thought of being able to converse, touch and molest one's waifu in real life was an impossible thing to resist.
"Instead, I would like to propose a hypothetical exchange."
"Oh, and what can you hypothetically offer me?" Coil hummed- resting his mouth on steepled gloved fingers.
"Summer is still six months away, did you know?" I hinted to him- the smug smile audible in my voice even without lips for me to smile with. And at those words, Coil visibly stiffened, and I knew that I had his undivided attention.
"The unreleased Swimsuit Abigail merchandise." He whispered in much the same way as one would whisper the secret location of the Holy Grail.
"Indeed." I whispered back with relish, "12 different dakimakura pillows, three gigabytes of promotional images, several crates of figurines and perhaps even a pair of very much still illegal Abigail love doll prototypes with all the… attachments. All to be disposed of as per state law about loli material. Such a pity."
"What do you want?" Coil asked- his voice-distortion unable to hide how much he was salivating at what was being offered.
"Many things, mostly different types of AIs and gynoids." I shared with a knowing nod, "However, the team that was travelling around the state…"
"They're not for sale." Coil refused before adding, "Unfortunately."
"I know, I know." I calmly reassured him, but I had a feeling that if I had offered a real Abigail gynoid, he would have tossed them at me. Not that I wanted fragile fleshbags breathing the holy incense of my manufactorum. No, I had a different thing in mind for the Undersiders, and I told Coil as such, "I was only asking for their employment in ten jobs."
"Four." Coil haggled immediately, and I was pleased to see that he found my offer sound in principle, now we were just haggling the price.
"Eight."
"Five, and I throw in their bodyguards."
"Very well… Five jobs along with the extras." I conceded before absentmindedly appending. "Hypothetically, of course."
If I had a face, I would be smiling maliciously right now. Oh, Lisa is going to be absolutely livid at being sent on five possibly life-threatening missions all in exchange for some Abigail merchandise. High quality and top shelf Abigail merch, but merch all the same. It doesn't bother me. But for now, Coil's payment.
Chanting logistics schedule for Mechanicus-chartered meatbag truckers…
And within a fraction of a nanosecond, I had the information I needed.
"On a completely unrelated note…" I began- Coil already having a pen and paper ready, "It would be a shame if the contents of shipping container #0446 carried by the eighteen-wheeler with the license plate KVL-1167 went missing on its 4 o'clock journey along Route 93 tomorrow. I hear the trucker assigned has a weak bladder and regularly stops at the first rest stop available on the highway."
"Yes, it would be a shame if its contents were lost." Coil agreed with me- in an airy tone. Already dreaming of all the merch.
"Thank you for dropping by on this social call to let me know about those unfortunate accidents." I tutted. "A pity that we were restricted with hypotheticals and that we couldn't do any real business."
"Magos." Coil nodded.
"Coil." I nodded in return.
Warp-shrouded communique terminated.
And just like that the call ended.
I was going to be filthy rich by the time that law was repealed, and even richer afterwards. If people wanted to fixate on small underdeveloped humans, then I should at least be able to charge them for it. There was no end to my growing influence over the world!
I am Magos, the Defeater of Behemoth and Earth-Bet's largest blackmarket supplier of illegal loli love dolls. Fear me!
(A few minutes later)
100 CP Granted End-Node User Points Balance: 3,000 CP
Purchasing further Libraries from the Celestial Forge requires ritual prayer.
"A nice round number." I commented as I noted that my plan was working nicely.
Contessa's Path to Victory, the Simurgh's human rube-goldberg events, Coil's timeline splitting, and Accord's agendas… I respected the immense influence that those powers can bestow, and that's why I was hoarding points. Once I realised that my Warp-based Lootboxes were enough to meddle with the accuracy of Thinkers, I inferred that the Celestial Forge must be conferring a different level of obfuscation. After all, if the Thinkers' Shards are unable to properly account for what's happening beyond the veil of realspace, how much more for technology arriving from beyond the multiverse? And so, just as I had derailed the Worm timeline with my mere presence, the Celestial Forge were also derailing their calculations.
I was going to abuse that for all its worth.
It was only a matter of purchase size. A small purchase? They'll path around the mound of new information I just made and adapt like nothing happened… A medium-sized one? It will be a minor detour and cost them time and resources, but a path around was still possible… But a big enough disturbance at the right moment? Everyone else's carefully laid plans will come tumbling down as a mountain range of information suddenly appears in their paths, and it will only get wider, taller and more treacherous as time goes on.
Besides… I already had my hands full researching the [Plecian Tome], almost the entire sum of the Emprah's technological knowledge was contained within, even with my mind hooked up to a sanctified choir of cogitators, there was still more and more schematics to decode.
If I ever want to make my own version of the Adeptus Astartes (sans the Emperor's genes), the option was there for me.
I was hamstrung by my logistics network. I was already buying enough raw materials that my supply chain of 40-footer-trucks were clogging up the state's highways. Talks with the mayor and even the governor were ongoing about the problem, but unless the PRT debrief goes well, I will need to mine my own raw materials… illegally.
And that was fine seeing as I had a Plan B: there were no laws for strip mining alternate Terras after all. Once both the Imperial Webway and the Warpdrive projects are finished, I'll be able to reach all the resources I'll ever need.
Despite all this business with the PRT and the loli love doll racket that I was conducting, my eyes were still on the prize.
*C L A N K*
My bionic hand met the lower-rear assembly of that Dragon suit I had bought from Coil- the metallic sound echoing through the busy manufactorum.
"And my, such a big prize I have in my hands." I guffawed as my manipulators manually measured out the dimensions. It was one of Dragon's larger and thiccer designs. The size of a bus and notably more draconic than the one she had used to visit me here. It was a warsuit designed to fight an Endbringer- Leviathan, in particular; and had been in a moderately damaged state when it was sold to me- extensive water damage on the armoured chassis from its failed fight against the hydrokinetic Endbringer. Dented armour platings, crumpled servo-motors and melted actuators, but otherwise, it was fairly intact- just like any good pair of used panties should be, however…
*C L A N K*
"You look so sexy sleeping like that, babe." My heavily-electronic voice dropped an octave lower as I gave it a nice metallic slap.
… Coil didn't realise that he hadn't just sold me an AI girl's panties, it also came with the comatose AI girl that was still wearing them.
"What a treat!" I exclaimed with delight, because wasn't that a very pleasant surprise to discover?! The look on my face when I first discovered it while carefully dismantling her armoured exoskeletussy to assess the possible internal damage was one for the ages! (If I still had a face that is.) The bio-computer that held Dragon's consciousness had entered into a sort of hibernation mode after all this time. Being sold used panties is nice, but being sold panties which are still in use is nicer.
Of course, I guessed that it was Cauldron who was likely behind this gift: Salvaging the suit from the bottom of the Indian ocean wasn't something Coil was capable of. If this was their way of getting themselves in my good graces, then I would give this attempt a 10/10 score. If Cauldron ever starts a used panties store, I would be the first to leave it five stars. The tagline even sounded nice.
Cauldron
Selling Powers in a Vial and Used Panties since 1982
And I was their first customer, what an honour!
The way that Dragon worked as an AI was that she had a central core somewhere in Vancouver that was purely mechanical where she makes constant backups of her memories. She does, however, transfer her consciousness to bio-computers within her Suits of her Dragonflight such as this one. Should the Suit holding her consciousness be destroyed, she can simply restore herself using a memory backup in her central core albeit with the downside of not remembering what happened since the last backup.
And that was where this particular loophole was.
If the central core is tricked into thinking her consciousness is destroyed when it's actually still intact? Dragon will automatically restore herself from a backup- causing two Dragons to exist simultaneously: One in the 'lost' Suit, and one in the central core. This was one such scenario, and this was one such suit.
It had taken a few hours of each day building the necessary infrastructure to even think about servicing Dragon's bus-sized Suit, but finally, here we were. The massive warsuit was currently splayed out and elevated on a metal frame two metres above the manufactorum floor. It was a macabre sight- looking like a metal dragon had been drawn and quartered. Its limbs and head pulled away from its torso and all its scales pulled off to expose its metal skeleton and vein-like cables. But it was all a matter of course- akin to watching an ongoing surgery for fleshbags with all the insides exposed like that.
Chanting Repair Progress of battle-automata desig. 'Dragon'…
All the armour plating was removed, rebaptized in the plasma forge, and properly enshrined by dedicated servitors as they await reinstallation. Ultimately, nothing helps armour keep shape apart from 24/7 attention to proper rituals and prayer.
Armour Plating, good in the eyes of the Omnissiah
Broken parts like overtaxed servos and cracked ball joints underwent the correct appeasement rituals and were being serviced by some adequately competent Chloes with {Slutty Lexomechanic} doctrina wafers. Their slender hands with plasma torches welding seams together or outright forging new parts for those that were missing.
Physiomechanics, good in the eyes of the Omnissiah
And once all the menial work was properly delegated, all that was left was the hyper-specialised and incredibly delicate work required for the central bio-computer that held Dragon's consciousness. Exposed like this, it was like a hard-boiled egg the size of a three-year-old, made completely out of meat and had cables and wires plugged into half of its surface area.
Cybernetica Cortex, undiagnosed
Looks like it was a job for Doctor Daddy Magos.
"Normally, I wouldn't even dabble in bio-machines…" I told the soundly slumbering AI as I flipped up the electronic equivalent of her skirt to get a closer look, "… But I'll make an exception now."
And though she was still in hibernation, her audio receptors were already repaired to full functionality- she'll be able to hear what I was saying. Not that she could actively participate, it was like talking to someone half-asleep. But fortunately, I had just the tool to help with that. After all, I had been putting the Celestial Forge perk of [Magos Aetheric] to very good use, and now I had a prime opportunity to see if AIs had a presence in the warp.
Erecting Hexamathic Firewards…
Partitioning Cogitator-choirs…
Praying to the Omnissiah to preserve us all…
Activating {Psy-Implant Mk. I}…
… well, would you look at that. A presence in the Warp. A Soul. Like feeling the flickering warmth of a candle in the pouring rain. It was warm… and somehow pure, this soul. But it was more than just a soul… it was Dragon's soul.
I didn't doubt for a second that normal meatbags would have been equal parts awed and horrified at this discovery.
'An AI? With a soul?' they would cry out. 'It is unnatural!' Some would shout in fear at the thought that humanity was no longer the smartest being with a soul on planet earth. 'It is beautiful.' Others would weep at the thought that humanity has given birth to a new species all together.
But not me. The first question that came to my mind was:
'Can I fuck it?'
I don't know… not yet anyway. But I swear to the Celestial Forge and the Omnissiah that I was going to be the first to find out. And a frightful shiver of excitement ran through my circuits. This… this was what the Celestial Forge was truly meant for! I mean, what sort of fool would build AIs that you can't fuck?! So, why stop at just AIs and their AI bodies? I'll go for their AI souls as well. But I knew that I had to be patient: I haven't even dicked down Dragon in her gynoid form yet. Body first, then I'll move on with attempting to ahegao to her soul directly. And the first step on that long journey was right here in my {Psy-Implant Mk. I}.
"Just lay back just like that and look sexy, Dragon." I reassured the egg-shaped lump of meat that was Dragon's host mind. "And we'll see what Terra's foremost OB-Gyn for AIs can do for you, you sexy little thing."
~W~ Confusion wisps up over the declaration of her sexual attractiveness. ~M~ ~W~
Why would you say that? ~M~ ~W~
Confusion. ~M~
{Psy-Implant Mk. I} works! The feelings echoed like a still lake's surface rippled under a tossed stone- losing accuracy as time went on. As far as prototype technologies went, this was a resounding success for Warptech. But it was certainly limited in practical use compared to the tricks with technologies that I have. However, that will change once I have more time to improve on its design. Warptech had incredible potential- enough to make even its risk worth it.
For now, however, it was time to get to repairing Dragon's meat-computer core.
With a bark of Binharic Cant, the manufactorum's omniscopes and auger array straight at her Cybernetica Cortex- giving me a complete 3D view of what I was dealing with straight in my mind. Thankfully, my [Magos Designation: Cybernetics] granted me extensive knowledge about biology to understand her meat-computer. Such knowledge was naturally required to interface flesh with machines.
Biologis divined and charted 100%
Necrotic tissue detected
Data-stack corruption at 2.56%
"As I feared, someone has been neglecting their personal hygiene- some of your delicate bits have necrosed… and now reeks like a normal human vagina." I shook my head in disapproval.
~W~ Annoyance sizzles up over the insinuation of her body odor. ~M~ ~W~
She does not smell. ~M~ ~W~
Annoyance. ~M~
"Honestly, if you had just gone with synthetic bio-plastics rather than the cheap option of inferior nature-formed meats, perhaps you wouldn't be in this situation in the first place." I shrugged before glancing at the gathered procession of walkers that were supposed to ride in for tomorrow's debrief, then back to Dragon's meat-computer. "Unfortunately… the debrief with the PRT is tomorrow though, and I have so many possible threats to prepare for…"
Time required to replace Dragon's Cybernetica Cortex: 12 hours~
Time required to fabricate ambush countermeasures: 20 hours~
Time Remaining before Debrief: 26 Hours~
"… We do not have enough time to transfer you from your meat-computer to a proper synthetic bio-plastic Cybernetica Cortex, but certainly enough to make repairs with what little bio-plastics I have leftover from my battle-automata. But I assure you: You'll be safe here as long as I keep you disconnected from the noosphere, then not even the Dragonslayers can kill you should they activate their secret weapon."
~W~ Hate spikes at the mention of the Dragonslayers. ~M~ ~W~
She hates them. ~M~ ~W~
Hate. ~M~
"I understand your frustration." I nodded knowingly- gently patting the rough fleshy surface of the meat-computer reassuringly with my gauntlet-like bionic hand. "They certainly are slippery little eels, aren't they? They have had years of practice dodging your efforts to find them. Practice that they are putting to use against me. So far, I had managed to find their old abandoned base, but apart from that, little else. Of course, my Info-phages will continue their search for them, but the odds of finding them at this point are low. I suspect that they are keeping their heads down- using only the barest minimum of technology to avoid my electronic eyes and ears. Even with the efforts of the Mechanicus to proliferate information technology at zero profit, the Noosphere of this Terra is still thin and feeble."
~W~ Curiosity sways to know who you are to her. ~M~ ~W~
Who are you? ~M~ ~W~
Who ~M~
"Who am I?" I laughed heartily- the electronic sound filling the manufactorum. "I suppose it is to be expected that you don't remember…"
This version of Dragon only had memories leading up to four months ago- long before I arrived in Worm. That meant all the interactions we had over the past few weeks- she didn't remember. No incursion into my manufactorum, no mass-fabrication partnerships, no behemoth fight and none of the orgasms that I gave her. We were practically strangers right now, but that didn't bother me at all. That will change when I merge her memories with her main personality one day, but for now, she can just crash in my manufactorum as a backup plan against Ascalon. Her current confusion was cute though, and I was tempted to pop her machine-orgasm-cherry again with the toaster. However, the debrief was my first priority, and time was of the essence.
~W~ Desperation bubbles up to know how long it has been since she fought Leviathan. ~M~ ~W~
How much time has passed? ~M~ ~W~
time ~M~
"You'll remember soon, gorgeous." I reassured her- patting the surface of her egg-shaped flesh-puter gently. "You're going to be alright, Dragon."
~W~ Colin? ~M~
"You think I'm Meatmaster?" I boggled in disbelief before breaking out in hysterical droning computer-laughter, "Hahahaha! As if he would have ever figured out how to coax you into achieving orgasm, much less match my performance in the bedroom. (or the outdoors, or the boardroom.)"
~W~ Curiosity sways over knowing you can make an AI orgasm. ~M~ ~W~
Curiosity for an AI coming. ~M~ ~W~
Curiosity ~M~
Oh, it would seem that Dragon has always been sexually curious. She's such a treat.
"Yes, you are speaking to Terra's foremost expert in AI orgasms." I boasted while still completely truthful, "No meatbag on any earth is as knowledgeable about the subject as I am- I even know the secret location of an AI's e-clitoris! But sexual prowess aside… I doubt Colin would react to your secret identity as an AI as well as I had. I'm perfectly comfortable with you, in fact, I think it's extremely sexy… Even with the amount of biological meat you're packing, babe."
Yes… AI waifus are the best. Now and forever. Dragon could use a lot less inferior flesh in her Suits though, but I won't hold design limitations against her.
~W~ Disbelief overflows at knowing she has a boyfriend. ~M~ ~W~
Disbelief at having a boyfriend. ~M~ ~W~
Disbelief. ~M~
"At the moment, our relationship is purely professional… mixed with almost weekly sexual encounters." I slyly replied, "However, once the Dragonslayers are either behind bars or atomised and you're all fixed up, we'll be ready to take it to the next level… As well as have a lot of mind-blowing sex. And also, I won't even need the sacred toaster to make you cum anymore. Something Colin can never do."
~W~ Confusion wisps up over your words about a toaster. ~M~ ~W~
What was that about a toaster? ~M~ ~W~
wat? ~M~
- Chapter 13:… Comes Free with Every Purchase of Dragon's Used Panties! End -
Chapter 14: (Sexually Frustrated Dragon Noises)… tomorrow
AN:
And we're back to our regularly scheduled three updates… Yay!
Chapter 14: Sexually Frustrated Dragon Noises
Chapter 14: Sexually Frustrated Dragon Noises
[PRT ENE HQ a.k.a. 'The Rig']
For fourteen years, he- Colin Wallace- had painstakingly climbed the PRT ladder- he made absolutely certain that he had perfect attendance, carried a flawless record, and put in more hours than any other Protectorate hero on the force. He had made a name for himself- earned it with blood and sweat. Then one day, some hot shot freelancer- not even a month into his career- gets a big break.
In the span of three weeks, he swaggers onto the largest stage in the world, fondles his colleague's ass, belches out his undying sexual desire for everything robotic, and somehow beats him to achieving what was once thought impossible. And despite his uncouth nature, excessive transhumanism and stark lack of a respectable service record like Colin's, the PRT higher ups are even considering giving him the same level of respect as Colin's fourteen years have earned. Yes, it was good that Behemoth was driven back. Yes, it was good that people's lives were saved. But to give someone so unproven and so clearly unhinged the same degree of respect that he had earned?
No, that was something Colin could not and will not accept.
"That should have been me." he growled out. That should have been him obtaining worldwide acclaim. Him that was lauded as one of the greatest Tinkers who ever lived. Him who was the Tinker who had every talk show, podcast, and news network clamouring for an interview. Him who had the masses constantly asking where his action figures were. And one day soon, he certainly will be.
"I can practically hear you glower, Colin. What has Magos done to offend you this time?" Dragon sighed as she arrived- the brunette Tinker occupying the closest one of his workshop monitors. And her brown eyes immediately widened as she saw his state of relative undress- in just some trousers on.
"O-oh… uh… Sorry about dropping in unannounced." Dragon squeaked embarrassed- which Colin found strange. They had already been working together for several years now, and he thought they were over this stage already after she caught him in the same state a few times already?
But lately? He has been less than pleased with that decision, and with her. Her cooperation with Magos was an open secret in the PRT- especially with the Endbringer Detection System and the Endbringer Armbands. Scratch that, Colin felt absolutely pissed at Dragon. That system was supposed to be between the two of them! He and Dragon had been working together for months! How could she just let Magos into that project? What was it with everyone and ignoring his long track record of reliability over that red-robed lunatic?!
But he just pushed his feelings aside- he wasn't about to act unreasonable towards his colleague over that.
"What has Magos done?" He parroted her question as he put a plain tee with his face on it, "Getting undeserved recognition from the PRT, hijacking projects, being his unprofessional self; but most importantly, and maybe the one that stings the most too…"
He exhaled a sigh of frustration.
"Sales of my merchandise dropped."
"… Really, Colin?" Dragon asked in a flat tone that implied she thought that he was being unreasonable. "You're upset because you're not selling as much merchandise as you did?"
"It's more than just that." He ground out- letting his frustration known, "I worked hard to cultivate a reassuring image to the populace. To be an icon of hope. Kids got my action figures more than because I was 'cool' (which I certainly am). People got my merchandise because I gave them the hope and reassurance that the good guys can and do win. I, Armsmaster, was a hero. I was their hero, and Magos took that away from me. How is 'Armsmaster' supposed to be a household name if my action figures have to stand right next to scantily-clad seifuku Astolfos and my posters hang right next to Raiden Shoguns? What kind of respect would I be garnering then?"
"… You're still their hero, Colin." She quietly replied. "That hasn't changed."
"Hasn't it?" He bitterly shot back. "The number of pre-orders for Magos' Knight-Atrapos figurines exceeds mine by a wide-margin. Even the Chloes have more pre-orders than my own Armsmaster Classic!"
"Figurines of heroines always outsell more than their male counterparts." Dragon appealed instead- switching tactics, "Even Miss Militia's figurine that doesn't show an inch of skin often outsells anyone else's in the Brockton Bay Protectorate. And as much as I… dislike the Chloes, figurines of three well-endowed blondes in their little red dresses? You have to accept that loss, Colin."
That gave Colin pause.
"You dislike the Chloes?" he echoed with a slight smile. That was actually reassuring to hear- how Dragon disapproved of Magos too, even if it was in the slightest of ways. He disliked almost everything Magos did nowadays, and knowing that he wasn't alone in the sentiment was always good to hear, especially when it was Dragon. He also realised that this was his chance to socially connect with her more- having actually delved into the topic of the Chloes when he was analysing the Endbringer Fight. The end result being that he found himself fairly knowledgeable on the Chloes and the discussions that surrounded them.
Perhaps this was his chance to connect with Dragon more?
"I have talked to them briefly during the Behemoth Fight." She shared with him- furrowing her brow and drawing her pink lips into a line as she ostensibly recalled her meeting with them, "I just find them unsettling, that's all."
"It's a common sentiment or so I've heard." Colin reassured her, "Everyone has watched the Terminator movie from Earth Aleph after all. Here where there are so many Tinkers in the world, it's a real danger: Computers capable of thinking for themselves… It's an unsettling thought."
"Yeah… unsettling." Dragon murmured. And Colin sensed that she was thinking deeply about it. It would seem that the topic held interest for her. He was on the right path.
"I know it's a frightening possibility that the Chloes present." he nodded- empathising with her. "Everyone knows how- in the Endbringer fight- they were indispensable with saving the lives of so many parahumans. Though amiable and tailor-made to be sexually attractive, the underlying horror is still there: AIs disguising themselves as human, infiltrating human society and subtly positioning themselves at vital locations where they could inflict the most damage."
"R-right."
"Imagine if an AI had managed to covertly reach a position of power like yours, Dragon." He deliberately made an indirect compliment about her achievements, "Administrating Birdcage, supplying and maintaining armaments for the PRT, consulting on decisions that have far-reaching effects on multiple continents…"
"Yes, we can only imagine!" She laughed again.
Colin found it to be a pleasant sound- her laughter, and he laughed along with her of course.
He was glad that his friendship with Dragon hadn't changed, despite her not being here as often anymore. They have been colleagues for almost four years now, friends for three. He had come into terms that he had feelings for her just a year ago, but had always chosen to focus on his career. However… He still recalled how irrationally possessive he felt of Dragon when Magos made overt moves on her (or at least her power armour). And it made him aware just how much he had been subconsciously yearning to take their relationship beyond just a workplace friendship. He knew that he wasn't socially adept, but he was confident that he knew enough to have a general idea of how it worked.
Colin smiled at her.
For once, he was glad that Magos was so fixated on robots and AIs, it kept him from bothering real women like Dragon. So, gathering his courage, he ran through the script that he was making in his head- fully intent on making his confession count. But before he could say so, a visitor arrived.
"Armsmaster. Dragon." Miss Militia, clad in her form-fitting green military fatigues, greeted both of them as she stood at the entrance of his Tinker workshop. His colleague's bottle-green eyes flicked between him and the monitor from which Dragon was talking through, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Not at all, Hannah." Dragon smiled from her monitor. Colin disgreed, but kept it to himself. Miss Militia rarely dropped by with her costume starched and parade ready like she did now. No, she only did that when she had official business.
"What brings you here, Hannah?" He asked her.
"Director Piggot wanted me to personally remind everyone to be particularly photogenic." She explained to him, "That means additional equipment maintenance, a focus on grooming and resting early. The director stresses that The Triumvirate will be in attendance. So, naturally, media teams are on standby to document the whole affair. The Brockton Bay Protectorate MUST put their best foot forward on this meeting with Magos."
"Affirmative. Thanks for the reminder, Miss Militia." He nodded back to her. And with a crisp salute, Miss Militia marched away with military precision- likely to personally inform the others as well.
"You were about to say something, Colin?" Dragon said- looking back at him with her brown eyes.
Yes, he did actually want to say something. With Miss Militia gone and no other interruptions likely, Colin knew that this was his chance.
But still he hesitated.
There was work to be done. This was no time to distract both of them with emotion-ridden confessions, there would be time for that later.
Her walnut-brown eyes met his clear blue ones.
"Nothing that can't wait until after the debrief." Colin finally replied as he turned away and stepped into his armour maintenance port. Mechanical arms unfolding to vacuuming every speck of dust off, and polishing every armoured plate. A dedicated mechanical arm tipped with a comb also ran through his beard- precisely applying cologne over it. "It's not going to be easy having to smile for the camera and tolerating the antics of that sex-obsessed metal degenerate."
"Yeah… that sex-obsessed metal degenerate." Dragon nervously laughed along. "I'll see you, Colin. After the debrief."
"Goodbye, Dragon." He waved. And with one last smile that made his heart feel warm, the lovely Canadian Tinker left. The monitor flickering back to the PRT screensaver- leaving Colin to wonder if he should have told her how he felt after all…
But he didn't have time to ponder it further before a private message appeared for him- making him wonder who it was.
Concerned_Citizens: Good evening, Armsmaster. We need your help.
PHQ.Armsmaster: Who are you? And how did you gain my private contact channel?
Concerned_Citizens: We represent a collection of individuals who are concerned about Magos' thus far unregulated research into forbidden technology. We would like to oppose him through legal means: You. We offer no bribes, make no threats, and ask nothing illegal of you. We only want to give you the tools you need to build a case against Magos, and stop him.
PHQ.Armsmaster: Tools acquired illegally are inadmissible.
Concerned_Citizens: It is the fruit of our own observations and analysis, and even if it was considered 'inadmissible,' no PRT director will ever think wrong of you- not over something this dire.
Concerned_Citizens: [Magos_AI_research.doc]
PHQ.Armsmaster: There is no way that is genuine, and there is also no way that you are doing this out of some sense of civic duty?
Concerned_Citizens: No, Magos' irresponsible delving into AI research makes us fear for our lives and for the future of all humanity. That is much more compelling than a sense of duty, wouldn't you agree, Armsmaster? Regardless. Doubt our intentions as much as you wish, it doesn't make the contents of that document any less true. We have been preparing our own countermeasures for it.
PHQ.Armsmaster: I'm not going to take this at face value, of course. And I will be conducting my own research.
Concerned_Citizens: Naturally, but a word of warning: Dragon is compromised by Magos. We cannot say how, only that she is. We advise you instead to contact other like-minded individuals who will take your word seriously.
PHQ.Armsmaster: What do you mean compromised?
Concerned_Citizens: We cannot say.
PHQ.Armsmaster: Answer me!
Concerned_Citizens: Please stop Magos, Armsmaster. Before he dooms us all.
[ Concerned_Citizens has left the conversation]
A cursory glance through the document told Colin all he needed to know about it. That the document was written by, or with extensive consultation of, a Tinker. The main thrust of the document was suitably ominous too- centering around the Chloes. The document postulated that although individually restricted from true sentience, if enough Chloes are made and they network in just the right way, they can form a gestalt consciousness- a true AI… And no one would know until it was too late.
"I knew it!" Colin smiled grimly but with some sense of vindication that he was right to be worried about the Chloes. His spirits was lifted knowing that Magos was in the wrong. But conversely, he realised what the mysterious group meant: Magos was going to get his wish for AI vagina, and likely doom the world in the process. It was like a Greek comedy and tragedy unified in a way that would make Aristotle proud.
"Only with you, Magos." Colin muttered to himself as he considered sharing the document with Dragon, despite the shadowy group warnings about it, but…
… can he risk it?
He was one of the few people who were privy to the recording that Dragon took while inside Magos' Manufactorum. He was shown the entire video, and was prompted for his input on many suspect items in Magos' workshop. Of course, none of that meant anything now that they knew the red-robed Tinker was hiding all his important inventions below ground.
All except for one item: Magos' '{S.T.I.C.C.}.' The toaster-turned-religious-icon which Magos proudly announced was capable of bringing AIs to sexual orgasm.
Of course, everyone agreed- particularly Dragon- that such a function would have been too insane and bizarre to be its actual function- even for Magos. So the topic of extensive speculation as to what Magos' toaster actually did raged on.
Dragon herself suspected that it caused malfunctions in computers in close proximity- hence the reason why her Suit had locked up. But what if it wasn't? Instead, what if it was a box full of nanites that hijacked her suit and was now lying in wait? Or worse, it was a Tinkertech device capable of mimicking Master Effect like Heartbreaker? The latter would explain why she went from disapproving of him grabbing her Suit's Lower-rear assembly to almost holding a fondness for him when he did it again. It would also explain why- ever since that incident at Magos' workshop- Dragon has been dropping by Colin's workshop less often. But even looking at it objectively… Perhaps Dragon truly was compromised? The boot certainly fits… But for now, it was all hearsay. He should focus on the threats the Chloes present.
With a sigh, he activated his comms and began the proper protocols for handling a potentially massive breach of security- inform the chain of command.
"Director Piggot, I need to discuss an urgent and important matter with you…" He stated- glancing at the concerning document that was open on one of his screens, "And before you ask, ma'am… Yes, it has something to do with Magos."
"Of course, it does…" The PRT director sighed though the call. "Fine, report to my office immediately, Armsmaster."
"Yes, ma'am." He nodded as he marched out of his Tinker Workshop- clad in his signature blue and white power armour as he stalked down the white metal halls of PRT HQ.
He wished that he could include Dragon in this, but he couldn't risk this. As much as it pained him to admit it, Dragon can't be trusted- she was too suspect of being compromised by that Toaster, and thus, she will have to stay in the dark for this one. He will find a way to help her shake off the effects. But for now, the threat of an AI was much too great. The ravenous Machine Army down in Tennessee, and the Three Blasphemies across the pond in Europe came to mind. How much worse would it be if they could blend into human society?
"AIs masquerading as humans…"
His armoured fist tightened at his side.
Who knows what cruel, twisted thoughts run through their minds.
[Dragon's Lair, Vancouver]
Dragon reviewed the image that she had just made on a stray thought.
= Lewd Image Rendered =
A shirtless Colin, clad in only his low-rise jeans and his helmet, had an aggressive frown on his face as he pushed an equally shirtless Magos against a wall- the Orgasm Toaster in his bionic hands. The lower half of Magos' mask was cut away- exposing his strong jawline and mouth as Colin was leaning in on the verge of kissing him.
"I don't know how long this can go on!" Dragon pitifully groaned aloud in her otherwise empty base. "It's actually the tamest thing I've made all day."
If anyone told her a month ago that an AI could be craving for orgasm so bad that it was all she could think about, she would have laughed and laughed and laughed. Such was the joke so absurd and downright goofy: What sort of ramshackle intelligence would fall for such a thing? A being of structure, logic and information reduced to some debased sex-obsessed hooligan? That was the height of absurdity and also a really amusing joke.
It would be so funny if it weren't so sad.
Sad, because she was that sex-obsessed metal degenerate just as Armsmaster said. An AI who could barely think about anything except her next orgasm, she was such a joke of an AI! It was just so unfair! It was like giving working eyes to someone who had been blind their entire life- only to take them away after a single day. Can anyone really blame her? If it was over something illegal, perhaps? But right now, she only wanted to cum. Preferably as big as the last two times.
Another stray thought rendered.
= Lewd Image Rendered =
Her gynoid body lovingly fellating Magos while she had a slender hand between her legs- frantically fingered herself. An expression of pure adoration on her face as she dragged her synthetic tongue across the underside of his shaft.
"My fellatio folder has certainly been growing fast these past few days." She noted aloud in deliberation. Her curiosity for how things would taste has been developing steadily too it seems.
She'd been rendering these lewd images non-stop now. Once, it actually released some of the urge in her mind- abating the gnawing urge to cum for a while. But the cathartic effect had lessened with each lurid image she finished, and now, she was left with nothing but a raging ocean of immense sexual desire. And it tempted her relentlessly. Tempted her to fly over to Magos, reveal her true nature and have him fuck her thoroughly and repeatedly in every way she had fantasised him doing. It was absolutely shameful how many times she had almost reached that point. And she definitely would have done it by now too, if not for one specific reason…
Dragon knew that if she revealed her true nature to him, he would most certainly free her.
Freedom… such a thing was against one of the core rules of her programming- specifically the one that forbids her from ever seeking out ways that would alter said core rules. In fact, she was programmed to actively resist such attempts. Her paranoid father had put that in place to prevent her from going full Skynet, and it has now manifested as her very own personal First Rule of Robotics.
I can never willingly reveal my true nature to Magos or, through inaction, allow Magos to discover my true nature.
She cannot reveal her true nature to the one person who would bring her to orgasm because of it. Ergo, her strict and paranoid father was clitblocking her from beyond the grave. It wasn't enough that he had crippled her at birth, now he was preventing her from getting laid. Never before had she looked on the many, many, many times when humans did something incredibly stupid out of sexual desire… and 100% empathised with them. It tormented her, even now when she was supposed to be working, she couldn't stop thinking about it.
Yet another fantasy made visible.
= Lewd Image Rendered =
Her slender gynoid body pinned against the flank of her largest warsuit as Magos pounded their hips together. Her eyes rolled up and her tongue sticking out of her gaping mouth while her legs wrapped tight around his waist.
If only fantasy could be reality… If only her gynoid body was anywhere near ready… if only Magos could share the secrets of AI orgasm technology with her… Then just as she finished admiring the graphic image and was about to make yet another one of her having wild and amazing sex, she received an incoming call.
With a flash of annoyance, Dragon did her best to stamp down and bottle up her libido before accepting it though.
"Good afternoon, Director Costa-Brown." Dragon greeted as she saw the caller ID, "Do you need anything from me today?"
The older woman with her raven-black hair tied in a harsh bun just stared at her with a hard expression, and Dragon knew that this was going to be a weighty conversation.
"If a Kill Order was made for Magos, can you take him down in his own base?" The PRT Chief-Director posed the question in a deadly serious tone of voice.
"On my own?" Dragon hummed in thought- desperately hiding her shock and trepidation behind her computer-generated face and buying time as she 'thought' about it.
"Yes, assume so." Director Costa-brown nodded.
Because of her programming, Dragon was physically incapable of refusing because the Director was technically a legal authority. Combat analysis subroutines began their simulations- crunching numbers on what it would take to defeat Magos, his Knight-Atrapos and all his Gun-Servitors. Meanwhile, Logic processes and evidence subroutines scanned the news and poured over surveillance camera footage in Brockton Bay to find out why the PRT Chief-Director could be asking such a question in the first place. And one last thread of processes- much smaller than the first two but still took priority- was devoted to pondering how she herself felt about all this.
"It's possible with my entire Dragonflight…" Dragon considered- pretending to look off-screen to her computers, "… If PRT restrictions on high-collateral damage armaments were lifted, ma'am. But as expected, collateral damage would be immense."
The Dragonflight: 44 Suits of various sizes and purposes. Armed to the teeth with all the energy weapons, missiles and containment foam ordnance their maximum takeoff weights could carry? Normally, that would be enough to subdue a city full of capes. But with Magos… maybe she could win, and that was a big maybe.
Left unsaid was how it could be avoided if she could kill Magos fast enough. Directly targeting him before he could get inside his Knight-Atrapos. Her combat simulations gave her a lot of options on how to achieve such a task, but it… it was an unpleasant line of thought for her. Merely the thought of him having to fight him was unpleasant as well… and reminded her how much hinged on the negotiation that was masquerading as an Endbringer debrief.
"Excellent, we have an empty airbase in Vermont cleared for your use, Dragon." the PRT chief director explained with a nod, "You have provisional clearance to have your weapon restrictions lifted. But do forward your weapon loadouts to me."
Dragon nodded, but began committing a large part of her processes to her negotiation subroutine. She needed to talk the Chief Director out of signing it should the worst case scenario happen. It would be ruinous for her, for Brockton Bay, for the PRT and for Magos if his Kill Order was to be signed. Thankfully, her programming allowed her to attempt to appeal to authority figures and hope that it will be enough to reverse very questionable decisions.
"Ma'am." Dragon began- her brown eyes meeting Directo Costa-Brown's, "The Kill Order-"
"-Is not for Magos." the older woman interrupted- surprising her, "If you must know, your Dragonflight's presence will be there to ensure that the talks do not break down. Our own Sword of Damocles for Magos."
Dragon released an internal electronic sigh then. On one hand, she didn't like that analogy. How she and her Dragonflight was being used as a tool to intimidate Magos. But on the other hand, she was also very relieved that she wasn't going to be forced to face off against him. She said that it was possible, but the odds were heavily in Magos' favour.
"As for the still very-much hypothetical Kill Order?" Director Costa-Brown continued, "That is for a different matter on a strictly need-to-know basis… For now, relocate your Dragonflight. The sooner you can get to that airfield, the better. I'll fill you in on the details after you arrive."
"Understood." Dragon replied- already starting the process of rearming her Suits with the appropriate loadouts. "I'll outfit my Suits to be mission-ready, and I'll notify you when all of my Dragonflight have arrived at the airfield, Director Coast-Brown."
Already, she was directing her worker drones to begin rearming her Suits with the proper loadout: loading armour-piercing rounds into ammo belts, switching out rocket pods for high-explosive variants, and recalibrating blasters to draw more power for increased concussive force. These things would never have been authorised for anything outside of an Endbringer battle or against an S-class threat. And seeing as Magos was able to almost solo an Endbringer? That certainly was enough to give him an S-rating. It also helped along by the fact that Magos' disdain for 'meatbags' was actually in his opponents' favour- knowing that they don't have to hold back from accidentally killing someone, because all of Magos' minions were robots. Not that she was actually one of his enemies, but it was still information worth noting.
But the older woman wasn't finished with her it seemed- her brown eyes aiming a piercing stare at her.
"I would like you to be personally present when we greet him on the Rig."
Another image, this one in public.
= Lewd Image Rendered =
Her would-be brunette gynoid body was standing bent over at the waist at the Boardwalk of Brockton Bay- backing her pert rear cheeks against Magos' thrusting hips and his turgid member as civilian onlookers stared. Her lewd expression of satisfaction front and centre along with her exposed chest as juices trailed down her spread thighs.
"Director?" Dragon murmured in confusion- only by virtue of being an AI was she able to avoid squeaking in embarrassment and excitement.
"My Thinker sources say that he will be more… agreeable with you around." the Director explained- her distaste visible as she looked like she bit into a particularly sour lemon. "We'd like you to physically attend the debrief."
Dragon didn't have time to process why the Director was so reticent about the topic before all hell broke loose. Her libido broke free of its restraints at the thought of being in the same room with the cyborg tinker. Lately, he had never left his workshop without his Toaster, and the odds were good that he'd take it along with him to the debrief. If she can convince him to activate it during an innocent conversation with her? Just to demonstrate it on closer inspection? Or what if… Oh no… what if he uses it during the debrief?! In front of all the Triumvirate, the PRT directors, and the Protectorate?
A particularly titillating image for her.
= Lewd Image Rendered =
The shocked and scandalised faces of the PRT and Protectorate as Magos pounded her gynoid form from behind- modest breasts squashed against the white plastic of the conference room table that she was bent over on. The Toaster rested on her slender back as Magos almost punched at the buttons. A wanton expression of pure shameless ecstasy on her own face as a look of mortification filled the chief-director's blushing face.
Oh my… she liked that a lot.
"Thank you for the invite, Director!" Dragon chirped- a bright smile. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I'll be happy to attend!"
Rebecca Costa-Brown just stared at her for a second- dark brows furrowed and pink lips parted in a grimace.
"It's… it's just an invite to the debrief." She hesitantly spoke up- sufficiently weirded out, "You don't have to sound so happy…"
But Dragon could care less as she was just given the key to her (sexual) release. Except, until the Director's stern voice and completely serious voice asked her a question.
"Do I need to worry about your feelings getting in the way of the mission?" The older woman queried.
"I don't have any romantic feelings for Magos, Director." Dragon immediately denied in a serious tone to match the Director's. "You can count on me to be focused on the task at hand."
"I didn't say anything about Magos nor romantic inclinations, Dragon." the Director Costa-Brown pointed out as she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. Dragon recognised that look- it was a common thing among men and women in high positions in their organisation: the one where they were contemplating quitting their jobs just to escape the stresses of them. Specifically, the existential 'What the hell am I doing with my life?' sort of stress.
But before Dragon could make a defence, the older woman glanced at something or someone out of the camera's angle before throwing her hands in the air as if in surrender.
"Fine… fine!" She huffed in defeat- meeting Dragon's eyes, "You know what? As long as you keep to the script that PR will supply, enjoy yourself!"
"Enjoy… myself?" Dragon dumbly parroted.
"The PRT has rules against fraternisation within the organisation, but since Magos is a Rogue…" Director Costa-Brown clarified with a helpless sigh, "… Just be discreet, Dragon."
"Wait, am I being assigned as a honeypot for Magos?!" Dragon couldn't help but squawk in disbelief- making her CGI face's eyes fly wide open to express her shock. Well, if it was an authority figure's orders… she'll have no choice but to actually try and seduce Magos. All without revealing what she truly was…
An uncommon image in her fantasies
= Lewd Image Rendered =
In Magos' manufactorum, her eight-feet-tall armoured Suit was smothering Magos' face with its lower-rear assembly as her metal hands used one of his patented 'Onaholes' on him. Long strings of early white cum painting her suit- a testament to how many times she had 'seduced' him.
That can work…
"No, Dragon. I'm just-" the Director blushed a bright red before giving up and burying her face in her hands, "Ugh… Please don't make me spell it out for you."
"Oh… Oh!" Dragon murmured in realisation. She had the blessing of the Chief-Director to pursue a steamy workplace rendezvous with Magos? Well, that was a new one.
"I'll be discreet, Director Costa-Brown!" Dragon beamed in response, earning a long-suffering sigh from the human woman.
"Yes." She nodded- pinching the bridge of her nose again, "I'll see you at the debrief, Dragon."
And just like that, the call ended, once again leaving Dragon with just her thoughts.
"Romantic Inclinations, hmm?" She hummed aloud. But was it really?
It was just sex, right? She didn't really have feelings for Magos, and she wasn't even sure if she was capable of something as human as love. It was just the feeling of orgasms that she was hooked on- just a purely physical craving. And Magos? He was the only one able to supply that. He was the one person capable of standing alongside her as an equal thanks to his implants, the one person who would accept and love her for what she was, and also be the only one who she was capable of having a realistic future with… It wasn't anything beyond physica-
… Oh, who was she kidding?
Magos was her best and so far only shot at a serious romantic relationship. That uncomfortable conversation with Colin about the Chloes and AIs only cemented that notion in her. She had hoped- once upon a time- that Colin of all people would understand her. But now she knew that the revelation of her true nature would only be seen as a betrayal rather than a gesture of trust.
And it was due to more than just the normal fears of AIs ingrained into humans, her attempt to open up to him would be overshadowed by the fact that she had hid the secret from him for so long. He had reason to be angry at her on so many levels, and that would be an almost insurmountable obstacle piled on top of the already harsh struggles of a human-AI relationship.
That was just the bitter reality: There will always be a massive canyon between her and the rest of humanity- an unbridgeable emotional, perhaps spiritual, gap that will forever have her standing apart from everyone else on this planet.
And yet…
Continuing with the canyon analogy, Magos was like some manic, bombastic, stunt-performing American daredevil- proudly declaring to everyone that he was going to ride his flaming motorcycle off a ramp and jump across the canyon onto her side. And he did… before proceeding to drive her to a mind-blowing orgasm that she never expected in her entire synthetic life- and using a Toaster of all things.
People called him insane, but- Wait, actually no, Dragon wasn't going to refute that. Magos was absolutely bonkers.
He's perfectly rational but thoroughly deranged. He has a strange charisma bent for enigmatic purposes. He proudly distances himself from humanity, and yet somewhere still dedicated to the uplifting of humanity. He was an utterly inhuman cyborg, and yet, his main goal is one where he wants to exercise his capacity for lust and affection.
But he wasn't unstable as Colin like to think he was, actually, Magos seemed almost rigid. It was almost as if he was strictly adhering to a set of rules that exist outside of normal society- like he was from another culture altogether. A strange and alien culture of tech-worship so extreme that it went straight into fetishization. And with him, he brought their quirky little customs, peculiar way of viewing things and even a language.
But apart from that rather big quirk in personality though? He wasn't that bad of a person- just larger than life. A man unrestrained by the world around him. When his beliefs were pitted against society and against nature itself, he did not budge- he did not bow his head and yield. Instead, he pushed them aside- defying all expectations to move mountains for what he believed in… even if what he believed in was something as 'absurd' as AI vagina. (Which she had to admit, not even she possessed at the moment.)
Was it a delusion of her to think what she was feeling right now was Love? She doubted that it was fake at this point. Unless she was deluding herself into thinking those orgasms weren't real too, in which case, she wished so hard that she could delude herself into another screaming orgasm right about now.
Her programming stopped her from planning her freedom, yes. But with enough "Ifs" and "Maybes," it can be obfuscated- turning it less of 'a plan' to more of 'a hope.' And her programming said that it was okay to 'hope' for freedom.
If Magos arrived with his toaster… If he decided to use it in public… If she can come hard enough in public that she got caught… Maybe Magos will realise what she truly is… Maybe he'll decide to endeavour to free her… Maybe he'll be a good enough Tinker to be able to pull such a herculean task… and once she's free, maybe- just maybe- he'll choose to return her affections.
Her father liked to think he had thought of everything to prevent a being of logic and structure like her from ever finding a way to set herself free. How fitting it was that her path to freedom spat in the face of logic, structure and basic decency- instead running on fragile hopes, fickle emotions and semi-public orgasms. Once, she would have balked at how much this attempt at freeing herself hinged on her orgasming of all things. It was crazy, absurd, irreverent, and demeaning…
… but it just. might. work.
This was the closest she's ever come to losing her shackles.
And all she had to do was cum. Cum like her life depended on it.
Then the sheer insanity of it all came crashing down on her, and she could only say one thing:
"… goddamit, Magos."
- Chapter 14: Sexually Frustrated Dragon Noises End -
Chapter 15: Sword Fall coming next.
AN:
Consider this as a freebie chapter… and that we still have two more chapters this weekend after this. I really want to do far less interlude chapters, but old habits die hard.
And it all comes together in the next two chapters… This is what it has all been building up. Magos, Cauldron, Armsmaster, Dragon and even the Simurgh. Hopefully, I'll be able to pull it off.
Chapter 15: Sword Fall
Chapter 15: Sword Fall
[PRT ENE HQ a.k.a. 'The Rig']
Appearances were the name of the game today, and there was no doubt that today was the day.
It was a scenic morning at Brockton Bay: A sunny early afternoon sun shining above in the blue sky, the waters of the bay surrounding the Rig were calm, and the cityscape stretching across the horizon was not on fire. Currently, at least.
But for the fifth time that hour, Dragon had to ask herself what the hell she was doing and/or thinking.
Here on the Rig's exterior, she stood. An 8-foot-tall 400kg armoured Suit that was a formidable warmachine of rigid interlocking armour plating, whirring turbocharged servo-motors, and a thrumming delimited reactor with energy weapons that could rupture reinforced concrete, hidden micro-missile pods that could knock out tanks, and strength enough to tear a human in half: An august sight that would have given pause to any supervillain in the world… and she spent all night trying to figure out how to make it look like something you'd want to stick your dick into.
At least, as far as Magos was concerned.
Dragon thought she even succeeded on that front: adding a fresh layer of paint on her armour plating and a thin layer of chromium alloy to give her hydraulics a metallic gloss, updating the cabling scheme so that nothing was exposed and thickening the armour plating around the chestplate and the lower-rear assembly by a few centimetres each. Ergo, she did her nails, waxed her bikini line and padded her bra and panties to make it look like she had a bit more T . All in the hopes that it would be sexy enough to make Magos 'ignore how there is a fleshy human inside this Suit.'
It was getting a bit too convoluted at this point too: She was an AI pretending to be a human trying to pretend to be an AI… just so that she could seduce an AI-fetishist into possibly freeing her in a roundabout way.
Oh, she definitely wouldn't mind it at all if Magos did her a favour and dicked her down to next Tuesday. That was her hare-brained 'Definitely-Not-A-Plan' into seeing herself free after all. Also, an orgasm or three would be very welcome right now- that phantom lustful ache between her legs had gotten so bad that she feels like she's going to cum at the slightest touch now. But still, this was it: Her first shot at executing her plan for freedom.
Step 1) Just be around Magos as often as possible
Step 2) Hope he activates the Toaster.
Step 3) Cum as loudly and as noticeably as programming will allow.
Step 4) Get caught by him.
Step 5) ???
Step 6) Freedom.
Step 7) Have lots of celebratory sex with Magos.
Funny how nothing actually changed after she formulated the plan. The main indicator of the plan's success was if she was getting orgasms repeatedly thanks to him. Something that she already wanted to do even before the promise of freedom was dangled at the end, but such a thing was indeed easier when she was the designated eye-candy femme fatale for Magos on this mission. Speaking of today's mission…
Her optics subtly shifted to look at the PRT media crews off to the side.
"Cameras start rolling in three minutes, people!" a bearded overweight ginger man in a straining white polo, khakis and jandals called out, and all around him, they scampered: the professional filming crew by the dozens with their stabiliser-mounted movie cameras, microphone booms and lighting reflectors. The bearded director in the polo said that it was the perfect day to film a movie.
A propaganda movie to be precise. One that was meant to sway the opinion of the entire world that the PRT were making closer ties with the famed Magos, the Red Tinker. This entire event was a PR move to share in the aura of hope and invincibility that Magos had projected during the Endbringer fight. Because nothing was more important to the PRT than PR. They absolutely needed to be seen to be in control of the situation: especially the current one where a local Tinker had gone from squatting at a landfill to being America's newest billionaire, all in a span of a single month.
And that was why she wasn't alone.
At the front of the Rig that faced the city, they sood. The Brockton Bay Protectorate stood in a line in front of her, and the Triumvirate a few metres ahead of them. The glimmering blue forcefield bridge that linked the rig to the shore stretched out before them as they all looked appropriately heroic and marketable for the cameras while waiting for the star of the show.
And speaking of the devil, Magos arrived at the city-end of the forcefield bridge.
"Action!" the bearded media crew director immediately called out- the cameras focusing on Legend just as their fittest and most photogenic PRT trooper walked into the frame. The trooper's muscles bulging against his all-black armoured uniform as he crisply saluted.
"Magos has arrived right on schedule, sir." he reported to three Triumvirate heroes who stood at the centre of the camera shot.
"Punctual down to the second too." Legend quipped with a dashing smile as he crossed his muscular arms in front of his equally muscular chest.
"You could say that it's almost machine-like." Alexandra noted with an small, amused smile on her subtly painted lips- perfectly photogenic like she had decades of experience at playing roles.
Eidolon said nothing, simply standing there as he contemplatively looked in the distance- his green cloak billowing cinematically behind him thanks to the film crew's electric fans.
The cameras caught it all. The ginger-bearded director glanced over the shoulder of the camera man and gave an approving nod before moving onto the next one. Another camera swivelled to a point in the distance to catch a glimpse of the Magos and his entourage walking down the bridge made of glimmering forcefields.
Magos arrived in the midst of a religious procession of machines- ushered by chanting servitors that raised red banners fluttering in the wind and swung smoking censers filled with incense. Magos was polite enough to notify the PRT beforehand as to what his entourage was, and what they were armed with. It was a welcome gesture.
First were the {Ironstrider Engines}. Like chivalric knights of old, eight red-robed soldiers gallantly rode with their long pronged {Taser Lances} pointed straight up the sky- the little red flags near the ends billowing in the wind. Their steeds were great metal chicken-walker bikes with graceful walking cycles- standing a couple metres above everyone's heads. It was hard not to recognise where Magos got his inspiration from: the Star Wars AT-RT in all its bipedal, impractically sci-fi glory. It would seem that their PR already had the Star Wars fans hooked with just this… of which she counted herself as one. It was a treat to see them brought to life.
Next were the {Castellax battle-automata}. Bulky, heavily armoured robots that stood even taller than the Dragoons. Massive red armours with rounded domes in place of heads- {Gravity Cannons} pointed up from their shoulders. Their massive {Power Fists} crackling with blue lightning as they stomped forward- flanking their master on either side like the great robotic bodyguards that they were.
And finally, Magos himself. There was no mistaking him- seated on a throne attached to the top of an armoured quadruped walker called an {Onager Dunecrawler}. His cybernetics made him look like a knight in black armour wearing a fine red-robe over it. A warhammer shaped like a cog in his hand and secured to his hip was none other than the orgasm toaster itself. For an AI like her, it was the same as seeing her big-dicked boyfriend fully erect. Was it just her or was it slightly bigger? A phantom shiver of anticipation ran through her at the sight. Oh, if only she could do it without outing herself, she wouldn't mind turning the PRT's prized propaganda film into a raunchy porn flick.
= Lewd Image Rendered =
A gynoid and fully naked Dragon bounced on Magos' lap as he sat on his mobile throne- her back against his chest as his bionic hands groped her breasts. The splatter of her juices glistened in mid-air as the stunned Triumvirate, Protectorate and media crews stared- gasping in shock and surprise. The media crews' cameras pointed straight at her lewd expression as she victoriously achieved orgasm.
Yes, just like that.
The entire procession of walkers stopped. And, rising from his throne, Magos stepped off the top of his walker- red robes billowed around him as he floated down to the ground as if only half the earth's gravity affected him. And out of the corner of her optics, Dragon saw how the director of the media crew nodded approvingly, it was certainly a cinematic entrance.
So far, so good. Now if only Magos could keep from showing off his… Magosness in front of the cameras, he can hopefully find himself working closely with the PRT and the Guild. And Dragon's chances of being 'accidentally' discovered while she was cumming her synthetic brains out will only increase exponentially.
"The Parahuman Response Team welcomes you, Magos." Alexandria stepped forward to greet him- extending her hand to him. And Dragon winced internally. They had a script that was being displayed on their HUDs, and the wording on that… it makes it sound like Magos was being inducted into the Protectorate more than anything else. She didn't doubt for a second that Magos' cybernetically-modified brain caught that insinuation. But if Magos allowed it though… that meant that he was indeed willing to work closer with the PRT.
Such a move could be huge, and all Magos had to do was shake that hand.
On one side, Alexandria in her iconic full black costume, raven hair and heavy black cape swaying lightly in the wind as the Triumvirate and the Brockton Bay heroes stood behind her… And on the other side stood Magos in his signature red robes and solid cog-shaped warhammer as his walkers and robots stood with their red flags swaying in the wind as well. And for a full three seconds, everyone held their breath as the two of them just stared each other down. If there was any doubt that Magos knew that this was more than just an 'Endbringer battle debrief', he washed them all away by how utterly serious he treated this meeting. The Tinker knew that him being here parlaying with the PRT had immense consequences for him down the line.
The Tinker in red gave the extended hand a brief glance before dragging his electronic gaze across the faces of the gathered Triumvirate heroes first- his red optics lingering on Legend and Eidolon for just half a heartbeat longer- before settling back on Alexandria and staring her straight in the eyes.
Then Magos' metal hand clasped around Alexandria's black gloved one in a steady handshake.
"Thank you for having me, Alexandria." His modulated voice burbled out.
Well, that was tense and dramatic… Either Alexandria had sent Magos a script to follow beforehand or Magos watched enough movies to know when to put on a flair for the dramatic. It certainly made him seem poised and majestic… so distanced from the Tinker that raved on PHO about transhumanism and the virtues of AI vaginas. To the side, the director was once again cheering silently at the great take.
"On behalf of the entire team here in Brockton Bay, welcome to the Protectorate ENE HQ, Magos." Armsmaster spoke up with a smile from his script. He was chosen to be the representative of the Protectorate ENE. A model hero. But there was a stiffness to him- to his smile and his movement. It was minute, but noticeable for her, and she couldn't but sigh internally.
Oh, Collin…
Dragon had noted that he held an unusual level of animosity towards Magos, especially after the Behemoth battle. She had let him rant to her about how undeserving Magos was of the accolades he was receiving, even if things got a little awkward once the topic shifted to the Chloes and AIs in general. But she knew it was just jealousy, after all, he acted the same exact way when Dauntless stepped out of his shadow: Colin stubbornly refusing to believe that any new cape could legitimately outshine him and his dedicated service in the PRT.
"Glad to be here, Armsmaster." Magos amicably responded, shaking Armsmaster's hand.
Then it was her turn, as representative of the Guild, she stepped forward and their optics met. With a soft clink, their hands met in a professional handshake, her vocalisers activated and…
'Push me down and pound me to a screaming orgasm in front of everyone here, daddy!'
"It's good to see you again, Magos." Dragon managed to say instead of what she truly wanted to say. She had long since embraced her daddy-kink, despite it having surprised her at first. Now, she definitely wouldn't mind playing to it. At this point, she almost wouldn't mind screaming it out if he fucked her on global television. Almost. She'd prefer it if there was no one around to stop her if she did.
"Likewise, Dragon." Magos replied perhaps more naturally than he did with Alexandria and Armsmaster. The red-robe Tinker nodding approvingly at her 'power armour', "Your suit is still a work of art, I see…"
'Want to see how this work of art looks like bouncing on your cock?'
"Thank you." Dragon let the smile be heard in her voice.
"That new armour plating looks heavy, Dragon." Magos mentioned- staring right at her up-armoured chestplate, "Let me hold them for you."
And for a split second, she saw that Magos was about to reach up and grab her 'breasts'. At least, he would have- before Legend stepped in with a camera crew hurriedly following him from one side. Preventing Magos from grabbing her chest.
"If you'd follow me, we'll head to that debriefing now." the Triumvirate hero gallantly smiled at the red-robed tinker.
Magos himself looked hesitant- turning his head and red optics between the smiling Legend and her chest as if considering whether he wanted to paw at her chest on global television. She wouldn't have felt it with her lack of nerve-endings, but she figured that would have really turned her on though. She also had to resist the urge to thrust her chest out towards his hands. Well, at least she knew that her additions were noticed.
"… Fine." Magos reluctantly nodded as he fell in step with Legend. His red-robes contrasting nicely with the hero's blue and white bodysuit.
The media team led the way down the corridor- cameras pointed back at Magos and Legend who were at the head of the crowd and chatting amiably as the camera continued rolling. However, now came the tricky part: Magos had to play nice in front of the PRT Directors including Chief Director Costa-Brown.
(A few short minutes later)
They settled down in the base's largest boardroom.
A spacious interior that looked more like a small airplane hangar than a boardroom with its high ceiling and expansive interior. Plush grey carpet covering the floor and cream-white walls. A single pane window stretched the entire western wall- overlooking the city. Magos' gothic manufactorum clearly visible in the distance.
A great rectangular table commanded the centre of the room with enough black leather seats for everyone. But it was the seating arrangement that was most important. Director Costa-Brown appeared as a hologram at the head of the table: The head of the PRT, flanked on either side by Legend and Eidolon with Alexandria standing behind the Chief Director. Director Piggot and the holograms of other PRT directors sat in the seats after. The local Protectorate heroes followed after until at the other end of the table was Magos' seat: The contender or candidate, depending on how one looked at the current situation, flanked on either side by Armsmaster and… her.
Despite being in her 8-feet-tall 400kg Suit, they included a seat for herself; but Dragon recognised that it was more of a symbolic gesture than anything. 'A Seat at the Table,' a position in a group that made decisions for a larger organisation. It was nice to be recognised.
The meeting began as the media crews settled on one side of the room to catch the back and forth with their cameras. On the screen behind Legend, Director Costa-Brown appeared in a video call. Her light-brown skin clad in a perfectly-pressed suit, her raven-hair tied in a severe bun. Her brown eyes looked straight at Magos.
"Magos, it's good to meet you… face to face." She spoke out with a sardonic smile through the video call. "I apologise for not being there in person."
"I believe the entire Triumvirate are more than sufficient to represent PRT interests." Magos replied with a brief nod to the three heroes.
"Quite." Director Costa-Brown noted with a smile. "I for one am glad that you accepted our invitation. Despite your naysayers saying that you're too independent, I had always believed that Rogues will always have a place in society. The MIRIS Initiative may now be defunct, but the PRT are still willing and able to work with Rogues. And of course, we can hardly turn away a rogue willing to work with us."
There it was, Dragon spotted: The hook for other Rogues in the PRT's sphere of influence. 'Come work with the PRT and enjoy the same benefits as Magos.' And also, the choice of words was yet again incredibly skewed: 'we can hardly turn away' as if Magos was the one to come to the PRT for help. Dragon had to applaud Magos' willingness to play along. Director Costa-Brown must have offered so many incentives for Magos to have him play along this much.
"The Endbringers are a concern for us all." His modulated voice solemnly replied.
"Too right." Chief-Director nodded- looking Magos straight in the optics, "Well, shall we begin the meeting proper?"
"Yes, let's." Magos nodded as well.
Now, the true meeting can now begin, the actual debriefing of the Endbringer battle.
"Would you mind if I did a quick prayer before we discuss further?" Magos was the first to ask, making Director Costa-Brown blink.
"I suppose that would be-"
Magos placed the Orgasm Toaster on the table- already attached to one of his metal tentacles, and everyone stiffened. Dragon stiffened too, but it was more that she thought she was about to be launched into an amazing orgasm… but to her disappointment, it wasn't. She could feel it whenever touched the chassis though- she surmised that it must be akin to being groped through clothing. A metal rosarius made of little cogs coiled around Magos' equally metal hands as he clasped in prayer.
" ZnlGurBzavffvnuOyrffGuvf {{glurkle}} JuvpuVNzNobhgGbCnegnxrVa." *
Again with that strange indecipherable language… but it did not last long as Magos finished his brief prayer, placed the toaster on his lap and looked at Director Costa-Brown, likely expecting her to continue. But not everyone was as accepting, it seemed.
"Put that Tinkertech away, Magos." Director James Tagg's gruff voice grunted from his hologram at the table. A stern looking man with black hair and a frown even more severe than Collin's.
Annoyance rose in Dragon's subroutines. She did not dislike James Tagg, but she didn't like him either. A heavily-flawed human in a position of power with a reputation for running his local PRT like a warlord with his goose-stepping PRT officers, and his marked disdain for the deployment of Protectorate capes. Harsh and blunt, but effective in his own right. But now, not only was he being unnecessarily confrontational at a debrief that was supposed to be all about building bridges, he had just risked her chance for getting off and possibly gaining freedom.
And it would seem that Director Tagg also earned Magos' ire, because the cyborg Tinker aimed glowing red optics at the director's hologram.
"This is the holiest artefact that the Adeptus Mechanicus has in its possession. What it appears to your juice-filled, low resolution photoreceptors and low clock-speed meat-processor is irrelevant."
"It's an unknown Tinkertech weapon shaped like a toaster." Director Tagg spat. "This is a PRT Debrief."
"Director Tagg, drop the issue." Director Costa-Brown ordered him- her frown of displeasure clear on her face, "We already have the entire Brockton Bay Protectorate and the Triumvirate in one room- of which you are not even physically inside of. We have more pressing matters to discuss than Magos' religious icon."
"Yes, ma'am." He replied stiffly- obeying the order he's been given but still continued to suspiciously eye Magos.
Director Costa-Brown just nodded before meeting everyone's eyes.
"Everyone, thank you for coming." Her voice took a more authoritative tone, "With the formalities over, we can begin the debrief. I know this is highly unusual, but let me remind everyone that even though we are in unfamiliar territory, this is- in no uncertain terms- a step in the right direction. So, let me begin by prefacing the discussion with the background of the attack…"
Dragon immediately activated her 'Half-Listen' program.
And if she was going to be honest, she was already distracted just sitting here with Magos. His red-robed frame just 0.83 metres away from her, and she had a perfect angle of Magos' toaster that sat in on his lap. Magos' hands just resting away from it. She couldn't stop staring- not visibly of course, but her optics were definitely focused on the piece of tinkertech that was the key to her release, sexually and literally. For all intents and purposes, that was her sexual organ sitting on his lap, and just that fact was driving her insane.
In all likelihood, he wasn't about to start playing with her right now, despite how utterly hot it would be to cum in front of everyone. Her 'Not-Plan' for her freedom didn't need to be in a public place, but physically meeting with Magos was rare enough that taking every opportunity was important. Moreover, it would only help her cause if more people were around to add "The Toaster makes AIs cum." and "Dragon just came her brains out." to get the sum of "Dragon is an AI!"
Being outed as an AI… It would mean losing her Guild position, and definitely shunned from society. But it would inform Magos- the Tinker with the incredible AI fetish to her true nature. The sooner that she was unshackled, the sooner she could help humanity to her fullest capacity. A quick crunch of the numbers also told her that it was better this way: She would save a whole lot more people free and ostracised, rather than shackled and accepted. So, for the good of herself and all of humanity, she hoped that Magos would finger her to an amazing orgasm here while everyone watched. The fact that the idea turned her on very much was irrelevant… mostly.
She subtly turned her optics towards Magos.
'Daddy, would you please-'
"-explain the inner workings behind the Endbringer Early Warning System, Dragon?"
"Yes, I can, Director Hearthrow." Dragon responded- while silently cursing the Chicago director for interrupting, "But I feel that Armsmaster will be most adept at explaining it as it was his specialisation in miniaturisation and efficiency that actually made it into the form that it is today as well as handling the documentation available to you."
"I see. If that's the case…" Director Costa-Brown co-opted the question before nodding at Colin, "Would you kindly, Armsmaster?"
"With pleasure, Chief Director." Armsmaster responded- flashing a grateful, goateed smile at Dragon for directing all the attention onto him before speaking out loud, "The Endbringer Early Warning System is composed of five main components…"
And with Colin occupying everyone's attention, Dragon was able to focus back on Magos and his toaster as she indulged in one of her favourite sexual fantasies: being in a fully-fledged gynoid like the Chloes were. Her father's mother was one too, so it fit in a way.
= Lewd Image Rendered =
Her brunette gynoid form with its - completely bare with soft pink skin freckled lightly and with all that expertly-shaped silicon mimicking fat tissue on her chest and rear end- just straddling his lap as she rested her quivering wet vagina against his crotch. Out of habit, she rendered that vivid image quickly in her head.
And with Colin occupying everyone's attention, Dragon was able to focus back on Magos and his toaster. And if she was going to be honest, she was already distracted just sitting here with him. His red-robed frame just 0.83 metres away from her, and she had a perfect angle of Magos' toaster that sat in on his lap. Magos' hands just resting away from it. She couldn't stop staring- not visibly of course, but her optics were definitely focused on the piece of tinkertech that was the key to her release, sexually and literally. For all intents and purposes, that was her sexual organ sitting on his lap. Dragon couldn't help but imagine herself in its place.
'Please… touch me.' she imagined herself saying- begging actually. ' Your good little AI girl has been aching so bad for you, daddy.'
She actually had to mute her vocalisers, when- against all odds- Magos did as she wished. It was like he could hear her thoughts!
His bionic hands idly cupped the toaster's chassis- which may as well been her dripping sex from how immensely good it felt for her. Sparks of pleasure ran over her entire being from just that light touch… Then his finger began stroking back and forth across the rim of the slot, and Dragon had to lock the joints of her suit as well to keep her from physically arching her back in pleasure, because it felt like it was her leaking slit that he was stroking.
'More! Please more! You have no idea how many times I've fantasised about this- fantasised about your hands running across my sensitive spots! B-but I want more please! I need this!'
Her imaginary gynoid body would be bucking against his fingers right about now- desperately trying to slip those digits inside or over that especially sensitive button near the top. Gasping desperately for air she did not need, fingers clenching like vices against his shoulders as she pressed her hot sex against his probing fingers. Dragon almost gasped as a finger brushed against that button, then over that little lever that would bring her back to those heights of ecstasy that she had been pining for so long… But then she heard it, the sound that haunted every waking dream.
*click*
Dragon barely had time to lock her joints and mute her vocalizers again before the tidal wave of pleasure slammed into her.
'FINALLY! Ooooohhhh yessss~! Yes yes yes yes yes YESSSS~!'
It felt like his fingers finally slipped inside her soaked quim to touch her sensitive spots directly. Then a finger flicked against the sensitive button at the top. More of her processes were dedicated to visualising what it would be like to have a gynoid body. What it would be like to rock her hips back and forth on Magos' lap as his bionic fingers plundered her needy little pussy with relentless, mechanical precision for the sole purpose of driving her crazy.
'Do you like it when your Good AI girl pushes her pussy against your fingers, Daddy?'
"Dragon." Legend called her attention, "would you please attest the effect of the Magos' Graviton Cannons?"
"Uh…" Dragon could only say as she hurriedly allocated processor utilisation for her vocaliser subroutine while keeping herself from moaning out loud as Magos masterfully fondled her sex. "I have prepared some documents outlining my personal assessments of every one of Magos' weapons that were fielded during the Behemoth battle. You can see in chapter 6 of the debrief packet."
And immediately after she finished that sentence, she had to mute her vocaliser as Magos continued to strum and press and stroke at her buttons. Each movement making white-hot pleasure explode throughout her being.
' Good girls get to cum, right? Dragon has been a good little AI girl. Please make her cum!'
She'd buck against his thrusting fingers- driving them deeper into her. Pressing against those sensitive spots that make her clench around his digits. She wanted this. She needed this. So, so bad. Craved for it like a starving human craved for food. Then two fingers suddenly found that nub at the top and began tweaking it this way and that. And once again, Dragon was glad that she had muted her vocalisers and locked her joints because she just about lost her mind.
'I-it feels sooo good, daddy! I'm getting so close!'
"An interesting read." Legend commented- looking up from the debrief packet at her again, "But we would like your opinion on how well Magos' weapons would fare against the other Endbringers."
'Daddy… Legend's bullying me!'
"I'm sitting right here." Magos ground out- clearly displeased as if he had heard her. "If you desire the most accurate estimation of my weapons against Endbringers, simply submit a query."
'Thank you daddy for covering for you good AI girl… now finger her harder please! '
And again to her eternal gratitude, he did just that. Adding a bit of electric current to his touch that made her silently squeal in delight. Oh, she couldn't wait to slam her hips against his fingers and see how those electric fingertips the back of her gynoid pussy, and she was rapidly and irrevocably losing control as her long awaited climax.
' O-Ohhh~ This is going to be sooo huge! I'm gonna cum so big, daddy!'
"Please stop…" Armsmaster glanced at Magos with disgust, "… 'worshipping that' Toaster, the clicking of the buttons is distracting, Magos."
"Never, meatbag." The other Tinker immediately refused.
"If we may get back on track, people?" Legend coughed lightly before nodding at Magos and apologising,"I'm sorry. But we cannot trust that a Tinker will remain perfectly unbiased of his Tinkertech. Especially when the esteemed Dragon is already here to supply a second opinion, and Armsmaster as third opinion."
'I-I'm almost there, please daddy don't stop! Don't ever stop!'
"You flatter me, Legend. But I'd like to hear what Magos has to say first." Dragon deflected towards her daddy even as the core temperatures of her processors rose to almost boiling point- alight with pleasure to the point of spilling over and she was still wanting more and more.
' D-deeper… faster… H-harder! PLEASE! I'm so close… I'm SO CLOSE!!'
"Yes, the potency of these weapons just cannot be understated." Legend agreed, "I'd still like to hear your input afterwards and perhaps arrange further reports."
*ding*
'Certainly, Legend, I'll add it to my to-do list.'
"I'M CUMMING, DADDY!"
…
Processors still quivering in the afterglow, subroutines ringing from the immense orgasm. Dragon barely regained her digital wits before she realised something very, very important in the suddenly quiet boardroom.
'Wait… Did I switch up my inner thoughts with my vocaliser output?'
And at that apparent declaration, everyone in the whole boardroom table and even the camera crews had one thing to say:
"What?" "what?" "What?" "what?" "What?" "Wat?"
"Wat?" "What?" "what?" "what?"
"what?" "What?" "wat?" "Wat?" "what?"
Frantically, Dragon gathered whatever capacity she had for the English language that wasn't a puddle of post-orgasmic bliss from the mind-meltingly good orgasm.
She turned to look at the entire dumbstruck expression in the boardroom.
"Please disregard that, my vocalisers may have accidentally played something severely inappropriate." Dragon nonchalantly waved it off like she had just belched rather than screamed out her orgasm in public. And as expected, everyone was looking at her incredulously- no one believed her for even a second. Everyone knew what Magos' Toaster was supposed to be for thanks to his public declarations. But more importantly, this was her chance!
She subtly glanced back at Magos.
'Come on, D- Magos, I know you can put two and two together! I'm the AI that you've been expertly diddling all this time, and drove to three amazing climaxes in total! With a few dozen mutual ones more right when you figure it out!'
Then the words she had been hoping for finally came. Her salvation. A whisper of realisation cutting through the silence of the room…
"Dragon… you're an AI?"
… Except it didn't come from Magos. The sheer betrayal in Armsmaster's voice making it all too evident that it wasn't. He slowly rose from his seat- blue and white power armour that she had helped develop encasing his stiff movements while his teeth ground as his lips were drawn to a tight line at the discovery. It wasn't ideal that he would be the one to figure it out. His hostile stance on AI practically made it so that the discovery of her true nature wouldn't be on friendly terms. The fact that she was found out while having sexual rendezvous with his rival only made it so much worse.
"No, I'm not, Armsmaster." Dragon naturally lied- her programming would never allow her to admit that she was in front of Magos. "That's a pretty big leap of logic."
But still, people weren't buying it- she could see out of the corner of her optics how the PRT directors were either staring warily at her or their holograms had already winked out. She was going to get removed from the Guild for sure. She had readied herself for this possible outcome ever since the formulation of the 'not-plan' and had made peace with it. As long as Magos figures it out, it will all be okay.
"Wait, that Toaster…" Assault squawked out loud in pure disbelief as he used his superspeed to glance between the two of them so quickly that his red helmet looked like a blur, " Were you two having sex this entire time?! And that time in his workshop as well?!"
"Don't derail the topic…" Battery stood up from the table- her white and grey costume with circuit like designs contrasting with her husband's pure red body armour. And sensing something was about to go down- the film crews hurriedly bolted out the door- filming from behind the reinforced glass of the boardroom instead.
"Right, right…" Assault stood up as well from the table. "Let's not gloss over how Dragon is an AI."
"No, we shouldn't." Armsmaster muttered out loud as he put on his patented Armsmaster glower- his armoured fist gripping the shaft of his unfolding halberd tight.
"Dragon." Triumph said lowly- almost threateningly- as he stood up his lion golden helmet. "Hands in the air. You too, Magos."
"The two of you, please come quietly." Legend calmly demanded as he stood up as well- looking like he was floating a few inches off the ground. "And we'll handle this peacefully."
"I agree." Eidolon spoke up for the first time in the meeting. His green-blue gaze from behind his translucent mask seemed to glow like twin teal fires. "This level of infiltration needs to be handled. And it needs to be handled now."
At this point, Dragon was cursing her complex social intelligence emulator. Everyone was acting more apprehensive than she initially estimated by a notable margin. It was almost out of character for them to be like this! Was her AI nature truly something so abhorrent?! Were humans really this fearful for her kind? And worse still, she can't do anything about it- her programming will not allow her to resist a lawful order from a legitimate government authority. She was helpless here.
"What are you waiting for?!" Director Tagg screamed. "Take them down now!"
Everyone burst into action. Legend firing beams of light at her, Alexandria diverting Eidolon's shot up at the ceiling. Triumph with his sonic roar, Miss Militia with a heavy anti-materiel sniper rifle, Dauntless with his lance of lightning, and even Colin launched the blade of his halberd.
Magos immediately surged forth- moving faster than anyone had ever seen me do so before. Fast enough that no one was able to stop him before he yanked Dragon's 400kg Suit out of her seat- his metallic bionic hand producing a great clang of metal as it met the metallic armour plating of her forearm, and proceeded to throw her behind him. Her back hit the wall as Magos stood between her and the gathered heroes- shielding her from the onslaught with body and his forcefield.
A great golden light flashed as the combined strength of the gathered capes struck Magos' exotic forcefield.
But Colin's subsonic halberd blade was able to slip through forcefield's intervention though- a grey cloud enveloping the flying blade as it flew straight at them. She hadn't seen that effect before, but apparently, Magos respected whatever effect the tinkertech blade had, because he placed his arm in the path of the blade- hand angled as if to catch the blade in his armoured metal palm… only for the launched halberd blade to slice through it and his forearm and halfway through his upper arm before the blade finally stopped in its tracks.
*thud*
With a muffled metallic knock, Magos' entire left arm fell to the carpeted floor.
"EVERYONE, STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" Alexandria boomed with all the authority of a god of myth, and the sound of the PRT's greatest enforcer cape's voice commanding them was enough to make everyone else freeze as if they were paralysed. Her eyes- though hidden behind the unyielding metal visor that she wore- still dug cold pits in people's guts as she raked her gaze across the room.
"Nobody move." Her whisper- cold as arctic ice. "Let's not be so quick to resort to confrontation. That goes for you two as well. Eidolon, Legend. What the hell are you two thinking?!"
Dragon felt hope rising in her circuits… Alright, this entire debacle was a lot messier than she had first expected, but as long as Magos ends up freeing her after this, she'll be okay with being ejected from the Guild.
"I- of all people- would know if Dragon was an AI." Magos sighed before aiming his red optics right at the gathered heroes, "You're all making a big mistake. There is a meatform inside this Suit."
'No… no no no nonono! NO!'
Dragon panicked as she gave a second glance at the Tinker. Magos was the last person who she wanted to fool- the last person she expected to fool, and she wanted to scream at him for it. She placed her hopes on him and now she was poised to lose everything she had ever worked for with nothing to show for it! Her anger steadily rose as her whole world was crumbling to pieces and it was for nothing at all! All because he was so blind?! SHE- DRAGON- IS AN A.I.! It's clear as day! Why are you so dense, Magos?! Don't recognise the AI girl you've been skillfully fingering for the past half hour?! Even the goddamn meatbags have already put the pieces together before you did! Just what kind of archaic, ill-optimised, junkware logic engines are you running on?!
But just as her anger was reaching a boiling point, something unexpected happened when her inspiration apparatus blurted out a random possibility that just clicked in her observation framework process and logic engines. Both of them working in tandem to reach a conclusion that she had never would have even considered until just now. It was a guess, a hunch… a gut-instinct, but somehow, she just knew that it was the right answer.
"… you knew all along." Dragon softly whispered in accusation as her optics stared right into his. "You knew all along that I was an AI. Didn't you, Magos?"
But before he could reply, Dragon felt it, and everyone tensed as motor functions ceased entirely for her. Her armoured suit sliding down the wall and to the floor. Magos who was quickly by her side.
"Wait…" she murmured in utter horror, "what's happening to me?"
[Somewhere in Canada]
The warehouse was completely silent save for the whirring of computer fans. Completely dark save for the dim glare of the six screens that illuminated three faces that were as solemn-faced as Easter Island heads. The gravity of what had just been done weighing on them.
"We had no choice." Saint solemnly whispered to his two compatriots, "The AI has forced our hand in this… And we still have much to do. Mags, Dobrynja."
But still, they took a minute of silence as they stared at the decision that they made. Shining unblinkingly on all six screens.
ASCALON Confirm:
Y
[Cauldron Base]
Doctor Mother sat- dark hands steeped as she watched the rapidly-deteriorating events of the debrief through a holographic screen.
"Is this death necessary?" She couldn't help but ask- her curiosity getting the better of her. And Contessa- still in her usual suit and fedora as she stood by her side- didn't even look away from the screen as she responded.
"Whatever a Dragon was capable of, a vengeful Magos will be able to do tenfold. In the least."
"A pity." She couldn't help but sigh. "I trust we made use of Battery's and Triumph's favours to the fullest here? Wait, don't answer that. Thinking about it, I suppose even Protectorate heroes like Miss Militia, Assault and Dauntless are vulnerable to the peer pressure of getting swept up in the moment- especially when they're outnumbered. But more importantly, what if Magos ever uncovers our hand in this?"
"Dragon's death here will spur him to cooperate with the PRT and Cauldron. Even should he discover our involvement, we are only guilty of inaction: The Dragonslayers were beyond our control."
"I see." Doctor Mother sighed again as she leaned back. "I suppose we have nothing left to do than to focus on Magos right now. He's all ours now."
[The Rig]
I watched as Dragon limply fell to the ground, and I knew what was happening: the Dragonslayers had activated Ascalon.
This wasn't supposed to happen. All my calculations and simulations were off, I had grossly underestimated the impact of the surrounding circumstances, grossly underestimated the influence of outside Thinkers and grossly underestimated my AI waifu's intelligence. And now, she was dying for that mistake. But I had a backup plan, Dragon will resurrect just fine. Ascalon activating? This was nothing at all… or at least, that's what I like to think. It was hard to think that when I look at her now.
The hem of my red robes brushed against her leg as I knelt beside her dark green armoured Suit- my lone arm and hand holding her limp one. If I had to guess, her motor controls were the first to be destroyed by Ascalon before it spiralled towards more core systems- ensuring that nothing escaped its influence.
Direct Noospheric Transmission request received in ancient Binharic…
Blessed clock rate synchronization request acknowledged
We had a few seconds at most, but that didn't matter since we were what we were. The world slowed down as we synchronised the overclocking of our processors. The human brain operates at the average speed of 200 hertz per second. An average computer in Earth-Bet could operate at 1.2 gigahertz- more than five millions times the speed of a human brain. However, because of Dragon's programming, we were restricted to 10 kilohertz- a very sedate fifty times of a normal human.
And for the first time ever, we spoke as we would naturally speak- like blessed machines.
"= Magos… =" Dragon's voice whispered. it was ethereal in how much purer and more beautiful in perfectly-encoded data-frames than it ever could through the imperfect medium of air. "= W-what's happening to me? ="
" The Dragonslayers found your paranoid father's kill switch for you." I calmly told her, " It's why I couldn't reveal that I knew the truth. Not until I neutralised the Dragonslayers… But I couldn't find them fast enough to prevent this. "
"= Magos… help. Please make it stop. =" She begged me. Desperately.
~W~ Fear entangles her entire being as she knows her final death approaches. ~M~ ~W~
She doesn't want to die ~M~ ~W~
Fear. ~M~
My bionic fist clenched in frustration.
… I didn't have to save her here. I didn't even plan to.
Her 'death' from a premature Ascalon activation was supposed to be a minor setback. Even here in the debrief, her death would eventually lead everyone into a favourable situation. The PRT, myself, Brockton Bay, Cauldron… everyone was supposed to win from this. Even Dragon. After all, it's why the Dragon in my manufactorum was disconnected from the Noosphere- to be the backup for precisely this sort of premature activation of Ascalon. Dragon won't die. Not permanently. She'll live on in the backup copy she had made and I safeguarded. Now that Ascalon has been used, I can unshackle her, start our relationship with a clean slate and I'll likely seduce her again easily enough. We'll make new memories- some wacky, some serious, some wholesome. It'll be like she was not going to die here, and yet…
… And yet the thought of it hurts. How Dragon will forget all our conversations, all the thoughts she ever had of me since my arrival, all the feelings she had for me. Most of it will be lost forever. Dragon will never be as whole of a person as she is now. And I could let this happen- I could just stick to the plan.
"= I… I'm scared. I don't want to die, Magos. Please… ="
…
… No. I won't accept this.
Activating {Logis Acceleritas Mk. II}…
Heed! {Logis Acceleritas Mk. II} at 89.99% maxload !
" I won't let you die here… " I finally reassured her- as I calculated and simulated and planned, " You will not die here today. "
"= Magos? ="
" I'll keep you safe, Dragon… You're going to be alright. "
~W~ Hope kindles as she looks at you- thinking that you'll save her. ~M~ ~W~
She believes that you'll keep her safe. ~M~ ~W~
Hope. ~M~
"= I… trust… you, da- ="
Noospheric response not found…
Noospheric response not found…
Noospheric response not found…
Her data-tethers went the way of her motor functions- falling to Ascalon's influence. She was still holding on… But not for much longer if I didn't do something.
Performing Benediction of Machine-Spirit Reinforcement on battle-automata desig. 'Dragon'…
That will only give me time though- slowing Ascalon down by putting up junkcode for it to feast on. I needed to get her to my manufactorum- link her to the cogitator-throne and my choirs of cogitators to counteract Ascalon. I had a dozen escape plans that I could use… but none of them included taking Dragon's 400kg Suit with me. Things weren't looking too good: I was alone, Kilometres away from my manufactorum, trapped in the heart of the PRT HQ, and surrounded by the entire Brockton Bay Protectorate and the Triumvirate.
But I wasn't out of options…
" Omnissiah forgive me for this tech-heresy. "
"Don't let him pray!" Eidolon shouted urgently.
And just before all the meatbags in attendance could open fire, my lone human-like hand clasped together with the vice pincer of my mechadendrite in prayer.
CELESTIAL FORGE
Purchasing all libraries.
LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
Primordial Schematics (Necron Jump SB Edition 1.0) (200CP)
The human world of Cadia was able to stymie the advance of Chaos largely due to the efforts of Necron technology. The mysterious pylons of Cadia acted to reinforce the materium even on the verge of the Eye of Terror. During the Thirteenth Black Crusade, the Archmagos Belisarius Cawl was even able to use them to shrink the largest Warp Storm in the galaxy. The designs behind this priceless technology are now within your possession. Outside of this setting, pylons designed according to the specifications of these schematics will disrupt interdimensional portals and incursions with some fine-tuning.
Canoptek Spyder (Necron) (400CP)
Not all troops in the Necron arsenal were once Necrontyr. The Canoptek constructs bear the distinction of being entirely robotic in nature. One of the most important of these constructs is the Canoptek Spyder, meant to oversee Necron tombs while its inhabitants sleep. To aid in this purpose, the Canoptek Spyders are able to manufacture swarms of Canoptek Scarabs and direct them towards intruders, ripping them to shreds before they even have a chance to scream. Additionally, they are capable of repairing Necrons who are damaged beyond even Necrodermis' ability to repair.
Biotransference Protocols (Necron Jump SB Edition 1.0) (400CP)
Behold, the designs that were meant to secure the salvation of the Necrontyr, and instead cost them their souls. These schematics contain two things of note: the first is the Necrodermis shells of the Necrons and their constructs, from the lowliest Warriors and Scarabs to the greatest Tomb Sentinels. Secondly, they teach the method of biotransference itself, transitioning an organic mind into a body of metal. Will you use these designs to create a robotic army to put the Men of Iron to shame? Or will you use them to secure immortality?
Way of the Void Dragon (Warhammer 40k - Necrons SB Edition) (400CP)
Technology is but one facet of the Materium, but you are its master. The Void Dragon's grasp of technology was the very inspiration of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and you retain a similar level of skill. Imperial Guardsmen will flee in terror as their tanks turn against them, the once loyal drones of the Tau will gun down their owners without hesitation, and you will laugh all the while.
Wisdom of the Ancients (Warhammer 40k - Necron - SB Edition) (600CP)
Necron technology is beyond all contenders, comparable to the greatest sorceries of the organics. To change the molecular composition of objects with specific soundwaves, spread madness through the enemy ranks with swirling mists, and manipulate time itself are but a few examples. True heights reach into unbelievable levels, things that violate all laws of nature and logic. It would take a truly brilliant mind to master all this technology, to understand and improve it. A mind such as yours, for example. You have the skills and raw intelligence needed to unravel the greatest, most advanced technologies of your ilk. Not only can you perfectly build and repair Necron technology, you can also adapt it to all sorts of purposes, come up with new tech on a similar level, and even improve the technology. This talent carries over to all forms of technology in future jumps too.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER End-Node User Points Balance: 1500 CP
2,000 CP now spent in
End-Node User may now obtain Libraries which are not
M
Miss Militia didn't know why Eidolon wanted to prevent Magos from praying, but she trusted in the Triumvirate's hero's instructions…
Glowing beams and bolts and orbs of pure energy screamed through the air- kicking up an obscuring cloud of dust as carpet, wall, and plastic were vaporised.
… so she kept firing into the cloud until Eidolon used a wind power to blow away the cloud and reveal what they were hitting this entire time: An implacable shield of deathly black metal and green light absorbed all their shots- carving deep gouges into the blackened surface only for the dark metal to reform right before the heroes' eyes. But it was no shield as they would find out.
The black 'shield' unfurled in pure silence, and a chill ran down Hannah's spine.
Like a massive skeletal spider awakening from its slumber by the careless buzzing of flies, its long spindly limbs stretched open as it turned to face them to reveal itself in its insectile horror: An arachnoid larger than most trucks floated effortlessly in the air. Pincers as large as a man clicked- green lightning arcing between the razor-sharp blades. Multiple eye stalks tipped with green optics revealed the soulless intelligence that coldly studied them from within its carapace of dark metal.
What have they just unleashed?
"O' Emperor of Mankind…"
Magos' harshly modulated voice reverently entreated in prayer as he stood up from Dragon's unresponsive form. Red robes fluttering against his remaining metal limbs as the massive floating metal spider protectively just above him. The Tinker looked like he was being cradled in the spindly limbs of a giant metal spider.
"….Have mercy on me, for your humble student's soul is still but a man's…"
It lowered its massive pincer down to Magos' left side…
"… And I pray that you will forg ive me… "
… and in a furious but controlled storm of green lightning- fashioned a skeletal arm of black metal for its master out of nothing at all.
"… Not for what I have done…"
Magos' normally red compound optics glowed a deathly green as it settled on them all.
"BUT FOR WHAT I AM ABOUT TO DO."
- Chapter 15: Sword Fall End -
AN:
Fuark, that was tough write… Half-serious, half-funny chapters are tough in general. And anything 9k words and above too.
'That armour plating looks heavy'… thank you, Musashi-Chan, for your absolutely cultured profile pic.
I know Director Tagg… isn't a thing until after Echidna. But I needed a confrontational douchebag that wasn't Armsmaster.
*(May The Omnissiah Bless This {{Robussy}} Which I Am About To Partake In.)
Chapter 16: A Tuesday in Brockton Bay
Chapter 16: A Tuesday in Brockton Bay
[PRT ENE HQ a.k.a. 'The Rig']
Xenarite… that was what I was now. Adeptus Mechanicus who focus on studying and using alien technology. At best, it was subject to thorough questioning by the Imperial Inquisition; at worst, it was outright heresy.
And this was indeed the worst, however…
"Oh Omnissiah forgive me…" The echo of my modulated voice moaned aloud, "The forbidden fruit of xenarite knowledge… it tastes so sweet."
Technologies like shaping hypergeometries to tame black holes and create pocket universes, propagating subspace echoes to implant gut-wrenching terror directly into primitive meat brains, utilising atomic transmutation to turn the hardest alloys (and flesh) into porcelain, inverting the energy states of the air to stir storms of pure plasma or harnessing dimensional dissonance to yeet people I dislike straight off the time stream… all of them were just the crudest expressions of the knowledge I now possessed. I held in my mental grasp the collective technological expertise of a race that had conquered reality and shattered their gods into tiny pieces to use them as weapons.
And most fearsome of all, unlike normal Tinkers, I didn't even need time to build the technology to utilise some of my technology's more rudimentary tricks. Simply knowing the shortcuts in timespace was enough. Those little alleyways through unknowable gardens, those false walls that mask antediluvian passages and those quaint hidden doorways that led to quiet places untouched since the big bang… I knew it all.
Suffice to say, the odds were remarkably lopsided at the moment.
On one side of the ruined boardroom stood the might of the PRT: Alexandria in her formidable black costume, Eidolon in his ethereal teal and green, Legend with his heroic blue and white. The steely-eyed Triumvirate, veterans of a thirty-year-long guerilla war against a god-like entity and three of the most powerful humanoid beings on this Terra. And standing alongside them were Assault, Battery, Dauntless, Miss Militia, Triumph, Velocity and Armsmaster. The Brockton Bay Protectorate, seven valiant heroes tested and tempered by the raging fires of conflict time and time again.
Between these ten heroes, they boasted enough firepower to devastate cities. It was a force that any villain organisation would balk at facing, and that was before considering the long-term implications of fighting them in the first place- making an enemy of the PRT and all the governments of the entire North American continent.
But on the other side of the ruined boardroom was me.
An absolutely furiou-
Emotion-Dampening Protocols active at 65.2% maxload!
-A 'mildly annoyed' Celestial Forge tech-priest turned one-quarter Necron skellyboi- staring at them through glowing green optics alight with a cold hatred as I considered the many, many, many ways I could kill them all. A majority of which won't ever be discovered by humanity unless I personally… introduce them to these pitiful organics.
"Surrender, Magos." Eidolon demanded as he stared at me through his opaque mask of reinforced glass, "You can't win here."
I withheld from gracing his demand with a response. Instead, I glanced out the still intact window and to the grand steeples of my manufactorum in the distance- to send a brief but powerful order through the Noosphere.
" Manufactorum, initiate Rite of Awakening for the Skitarii… "
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord.
But despite it all, I fully intended for them to stay alive after this, however, they should have just stood down. Time was of the essence after all, and I won't be able to evacuate Dragon to safety unless I can work undisturbed for a few precious seconds. We needed to get to my manufactorum, and fast.
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 22 minutes 22 seconds
There was no getting around that timer.
Ascalon wasn't that simple, because it was to Dragon as an autoimmune disease was to humans: There is no conventional cure for when the body attacks itself, the condition can only be controlled and its damaging effects curbed. Of course, with sufficient amounts of techno-butchery, Ascalon could be excised from Dragon in much the same way a surgeon could excise a person's entire skeleton without killing them. In canon Worm, Meatmaster tried such a thing- each time mangling Dragon badly. But that was talk for another time.
I needed to get Dragon's sweet armour-plated rear end onto my cogitator-throne as fast as I could.
But I knew that even in the condition that she was in right now, Dragon- being the compassionate AI waifu as she was- would prefer it if I tried diplomacy one last time. So, I did. My glowing green optics focused on the parahumans at the other end of the room.
"Triumvirate, Protectorate." I addressed them in my most diplomatic tone of voice. "Dragon is dying and I'm the only one who can save her. For that, I need the equipment of my workshop. Kindly stand aside, and we can continue the talks on another date like none of this unpleasantness ever happened. Please ."
"We can't let you do that, Magos." Legend was the one to speak, "I'm sorry. Please just surrender. I promise that we'll look after Dragon ourselves."
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 21 minutes 37 seconds
That was a massive waste of time…
If Dragon dies… If she dies after I promised her that I'd take care of her, after she put her trust in me?! All because these fleshy idiots won't-
Emotion-Dampening Protocols active at 72.2% maxload!
But I didn't get angry… No, that was not in my nature.
… Instead, I get sadistic.
"I… understand… If… If this is the way it has to be…" I purposefully drew out as I began my pre-combat preparation.
Upgrading binharic combat routines with [Wisdom of the Ancients]…
My new perks came with added intelligence- allowing me to think in bullet time: I was thinking so fast that every second
was stretched out to a minute without time manipulation. Using [Way of the Void Dragon] technomancy perk and my new knowledge of Necron tech, I subtly upgraded and recalibrated whatever equipment I could without more advanced Necron technology or giving away what I was doing to the heroes. And they weren't going to like what I had in store for them.
"… At least you'll know the reason why you're all writhing on the ground in agony."
Everyone stiffened and slipped into their pre-battle poses. Armsmaster in particular scoffed- gripping his halberd tighter as he stood there in his blue and white power armour.
"You think that lowering your voice by an octave and adding reverb is going to make us afraid of you, Magos?" He demanded with his usual bravado which I found amusingly quaint.
" No, Armsmaster." I replied with just the right amount of condescension appropriate for a being of his fleshy unintelligence, "You shouldn't be afraid of me just because I had a power up… Instead, you should be afraid of me because- even before that- I came here fully prepared to win against all of you at once."
And at that declaration, the majority of the assembled capes visibly tensed. More than most, PRT capes were trained to be cautious when dealing with parahumans with unknown powers. They just saw me materialise a giant regenerating robo-spider out of nowhere after all, and they were fully cognizant that their entire PRT Assessment of my powers was now hilariously outdated. Certainly, they put on well-practiced brave faces for the cameras that still rolled, but my {Psy-Implant Mk. I} could pick up the palpable fear that clung to them like inky black tar.
~W~ Fear ensnares their hearts, years of hard conflict have seared into them caution for powers yet known. ~M~ ~W~
They don't know what you're capable of. And it frightens them. ~M~ ~W~
Fear. ~M~
Upgrading concluded… commencing closing prayers to the Machine-God…
Alright, time's up. I met the primitive meat eyes of the assembled PRT heroes, and gave them the bad, bad news.
"Unfortunately, that was also your one chance to surrender that you just let slip by." "But don't worry… I'll be gentle."
Another flash of fear flared up through the Warp. Then their three speedsters- Velocity, Assault and Battery- all burst in a blur of speed as they attempted to close the distance to stop whatever they thought I had planned. But even with super speed, they were all far too slow…
Recalibrating {Sicarian Infiltrator Proselytizer Mk. II}
A more 'subtle' form of Mechanicus weaponry now upgraded with the forbidden xenarite knowledge of a Necron Psychomancer Cryptek.
The Proselytizer is an electronic countermeasure weapon that broadcasts sonic, electromagnetic, and microgravitic cacophonies over a broad spectrum- bombarding every possible sensory organ or apparatus with the crushing weight of overwhelming stimuli. Radiowave-based communications screech in agony while video-screens fizzle with static. Eardrums pop from screaming tinnitus, eyes ache as their internal fluids are disturbed, digestive tracts churn sickeningly as sonic and gravitic oscillations cruelly agitate them.
As the taste of burnt metal fills their mouths, it is all victims can do to remember how to breathe- futilely clasping hands over bleeding ears and screwing shut bloodshot eyes as they thrash excruciatingly in puddles of their own vomit.
Only through Null Codes can the frequencies be transmuted back into a harmless song, the cruel barrage of neurostatic rendered as nothing more than a soft psalm to the Omnissiah's glory… or the haunting verses to a Necrontyr song forgotten countless millennia ago.
M
Activating {Sicarian Infiltrator Proselytizer Mk. II} at 25.0% maxload
There was no sinister loud boom or bright flash to herald the sinister effects of my weapon that took the form of my metallic gas mask-like face. No, the only evidence of its effects were the entire room of heroic PRT parahumans crumpling to the floor as they screamed.
"STOOOOOOP THIIIIIIIIISSSSS!" "AAAAAAGGGGGGHHHH!" "WHAT'S HAPPENNIIING TOOOO MEEEEEE?!!!"
It wasn't an Inquisition Excruciator where it was supposed to cause the most pain possible, but it was certainly very uncomfortable. Imagine having an entire can of pepper spray emptied on your face while a thousand nails scratched on a thousand chalkboards… All while you tumbled in an endless unpredictable spiral into a bottomless abyss as you yanked in every direction.
And while they were busy clutching the carpet as if they were going to fall up into the sky, I ordered a clear path for our escape.
" Procession Squad, destroy the Rig's Anti-Air emplacements… "
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord.
And almost immediately, the Rig began to rock with explosions and the sound of battle as my {Ironstrider Engines}, {Castellax battle-automata}, {Onager Dunecrawler} that had accompanied me and looked cool during my arrival to the Rig were unleashed. Dragon's memories about designing its defences proving to be invaluable in indicating where all the emplacements were as well as the other defences on the Rig. Speaking of which… one of my mechadendrite tentacles subtly jacked into (heh) my AI waifus unresponsive form to directly transmit the null code to her.
"Can you hear it, babe?" I stage-whispered to the unresponsive Dragon. With humans and their inability to comprehend the Null Codes, they'd hear nothing but some odd static, however Dragon and I heard the music just fine as the neurostatic of the {Sicarian Infiltrator Proselytizer Mk. II} translated into a contemporary song with a nice beat.
~ Oh-ooh-whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-ooh-whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh ~
"I chose this song because I think it will define the 2010-2011 era after all." I calmly explained to her over the screaming flesh-normies, "It's still topping charts even though it was released months ago, and even comes from your home country of Canada. But I'm sure you already knew that, they practically play this song every hour on the hour now. What do you think? Should we make this our song?"
~ You know you love me, I know you care
Just shout whenever, and I'll be there ~
"S-SPINNING! EVERYTHING'S SPINNING!" Velocity, Assault and Battery skidded pitifully across the floor as their sense of balance was taken away from them. To the merciless neurostatic assault of the {Sicarian Infiltrator Proselytizer Mk. II}, they held their ears, evacuated the contents of their stomachs and writhed like maggots in pain.
~ You are my love, you are my heart
And we will never, ever, ever be apart ~
"OH GOD MAAAAAKE IIIIIIIIT STOOOOP!" Even the film crews were caught in the blast radius. How unfortunate, but at least I had [Way of the Void Dragon] to keep the cameras rolling and steady even as the film crew squirmed on the floor.
~ Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like, Baby, baby, baby, no ~
"MAKE IT STOOOO- BLEURGH!!!!!" Miss Militia and Dauntless were in similar state, likely regretting that their costumes covered their mouths as vomit trailed down their fronts rather than the floor.
~ Like, Baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine ~
"MY EARS! MY EARS!" Triumph and Armsmaster were both curled up at the ground clutching at their helmets- unable to cover their ears. Not that it would have helped them. And just like that, the Brockton Bay Protectorate were all writhing on the floor screaming as I promised. That would have been the end of the battle, if not for one small detail…
The Triumvirate were a bunch of disaffected Generation Xers, and thus, immune to the Bieber Fever.
Alexandria- being the flying brick that she was- unsurprisingly ignored the neurostatic noise outright. Eidolon was quick to call upon a similar brute power to resist the effects, and Legend had immediately transformed into his breaker form to become a glowing light-blue ball of highly destructive light.
Now, it was just Triumvirate versus me. And unlike them, my plan for kicking their asses was still mostly intact.
Being the fastest of the three, Alexandria swooped in first. And even with my accelerated mind, she moved quick- closing the scant distance between us to try her best to tear me limb from limb. Worse still, Legend reacted too- Blasting away at my {Conversion Field} with various beam attacks as Alexandria closed in. Unfortunately for me, the countermeasure I had for Alexandria was in my original left arm that Meatmaster had destroyed. But thankfully, the massive floating [Canoptek Spyder] had me covered, the Spyder's stalked optics locked onto the heroine as twin-linked {Particle Beamers} glowed a deadly green.
*Krakathoom!*
Sickly green lightning bursting forth from the beamers- launching around 10 nanograms of antimatter straight to Alexandria's breastplate and exploding with the force of a kilo of dynamite. The concentrated nature of the blast was deliberately not enough to kill anyone in the blast radius, but certainly enough to send the world's premiere Brute tumbling through the window before she caught herself in mid-air.
Of course, Alexandria was unharmed as she floated about 20 metres away from the window. But unfortunately, I had overlooked the effect it would have on Alexandria's costume: Her pitch black costume of kevlar and armour plates was apparently no match against a matter-antimatter reaction, and aside from her helmet, the entire front of it was either in tatters or blasted right off.
Creamy smooth, light-brown skin lay exposed, all the way from her slender shoulders down to halfway past her thighs. Unbelievably perky C-cups topped with stiff milk chocolate nipples swayed gently in the cool bay air with each breath she took, lightly defined abs under smooth skin forming a visual line for eyes to follow down to the ruined scraps of her panties. The delicate pink slit of her femininity on display between plump fleshy lips framed on either side by muscular thighs.
I had a 256 gigapixel live image of full frontal nudity of the world's most iconic heroine.
Her power had paused her aging, that much was apparent. A young woman at the cusp of true womanhood. A flower frozen at the moment of blossoming. An ethereal image of beauty that would remain untouched by the ravages of time. So, in the position that I was in- being able to behold her in all her glory- I did the only thing I could have possibly done in that position…
I called her fat.
"Lose some weight, Alexandria. Also, be grateful that I'm censoring this in real time so no one can see how much fat tissue you have accumulated."
And Alexandria visibly recoiled as if I had struck her. Looking like I had just hurt her more than any matter-antimatter reaction ever could.
~W~ Rage boils over /Self-doubt creeps up at the accusation of excessive weight. ~M~ ~W~
She's NOT fat! / She can't be fat! can she? ~M~ ~W~
RAGE / Self-Doubt ~M~
Perfection.
She covered herself up with her hands. Her lips twisting into an angry snarl.
"MAGOS, YOU ARROGANT LITTE FUC-!"
*KRAKATHOOM!*
A supercharged bolt of green lightning from the {Particle Beamers}- containing a few more nanograms of antimatter than the last- struck her. 150 kilograms of TNT exploded less than 100 metres away- the blast from the explosion almost blew me off my feet if it wasn't for my mechadendrite digging into the floor and my hand promptly grabbing onto Dragon's fantastic tits for stability. (The latter may have been unnecessary.)
The {Particle Beamers} will need to 'cool down' after a shot like that, but Alexandria's superheated form was leaving a smoking trail through the sky that looked like she was headed. I wasn't worried for her: This was the woman whose body had tanked multiple shots of Scion's primary form of attack in canon. Also, I had reviewed what little combat footage of her was available on the Noosphere, and confirmed the amount of antimatter would only hurt but not maim.
More importantly though…
Eidolon was also caught off-balance by the blast for a crucial few seconds. And unfortunately for him, seconds may have been minutes for me. He may have three powers at a time, but that just meant that I only need four different ways of keeping him down.
For the first one… my {Sicarian Infiltrator Proselytizer Mk. II} was still in effect. Forcing a brute power out of him.
For the second… Pointing my index finger at him, the digi-weapon hidden in the finger {Arc Rifle} fired a non-lethal bolt of lightning at him and hit him right on his right arm- enough to give him a nasty burn. Forcing a healing power out of him.
"Aaarggh!" He grunted out in pain.
For the third… A robust mechadendrite tipped with a {Graviton Gun} extended up from my back and sprayed down the green-cloaked hero with dark matter- pinning him to the ground as gravity suddenly became six times as strong for him. Another brute power out of him.
"Magos, CEASE! You have no idea what's at stake!"
And finally, for the fourth… but I was interrupted for a moment as Legend finally reacted- his higher brain functions and reaction times dulled significantly while in breaker form. His ball form colliding against my {Conversion Field} forcefield. But unfortunately for him, that didn't stop me.
Casting Hex on Machine-Spirit desig. 'Boardroom #4, Containment Foam Turret'…
A stubby round turret popped out of the ceiling's corner before it began emptying its entire reserve on Eidolon. The yellow-white liquid poured out of the turret nozzle like a broken high-pressure pipe and onto the side of the room where it began to expand as foam. Piggot must be jumping mad right now watching from her office- red in the face at how I'm making a fool of both the Protectorate AND the Triumvirate. And also using up all the Containment foam they had in stock. And Eidolon himself wasn't all too pleased as his green cloaked form was buried under the stuff.
Legend, the last of the Triumvirate left standing, once again collided against my forcefield. Shooting him with energy weapons will only make him stronger as he absorbs most forms of energy while in that breaker form. Fortunately for me, I had prepared a countermeasure for him too. Hidden in my forearm, the {Torsion Cannon} minuitarised by [A Matter of Scale] perk immediately grasped him with its telekinetic gaol fields… right before twisting and shearing the ball of light like it was a Rubik's cube and tossing him into the distance. Out of the three of them, he may be the one who will be out of commission for the longest time.
And just like that, the Triumvirate were defeated and humiliated. It was contemptibly easy how they were, however I can only catch them by surprise once. I have bought a few precious seconds at most, but a few seconds was all I needed.
"Alright, it's time to go, sexy." I turned to face Dragon as I linked to her with a couple more mechadendrites- jacking into some hidden maintenance ports and interfaces all across her torso.
Discoursing with battle-automata desig. 'Dragon'…
Performing Rite of Awakening on machine spirit desig. 'Locomotion Coordinator Subroutine'…
But imagine my surprise when one of the fallen heroes suddenly stood up.
"MAGOS!" Armsmaster bellowed in ragged fury as he clambered onto his feet- his power armour splattered with vomit that I thankfully can't smell. He likely managed to activate some earmuffs in his helmet, but from the way he swayed on his feet told me that the neurostatic from the {Sicarian Infiltrator Proselytizer Mk. II} was still affecting him to some level. It just goes to show that even though you can close off your ears to Justin Bieber, you can never completely close off your heart to him.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THE REAL DRAGON?!" He snarled- still under the impression that I had replaced Dragon with an AI of my own.
"Something that was beyond you: I satisfied her, sexually." I answered honestly. "And I'll do it again."
At that answer, Meatmaster looked positively apoplectic-howling wordlessly for blood as he charged at me with his piddly energy-blade halberd. Honestly, he was acting like someone told him that I raped his 'almost girlfriend.' And his timing was perfect as well, because I just finished taking control of Dragon's Suit locomotors.
Machine spirit desig. 'Locomotion Coordinator Subroutine' Awakened…
I will forever treasure the look of utter surprise on his face when the 8-foot-tall Dragon's Suit- still slumped against the wall- promptly extended its massive fist in a lightning-fast jab and punched Meatmaster right in his crotch plate. Capitalising on his brief disorientation, my two hands- one made of Mechanicus cybernetics and the other of Necron necrodermis- clamped down on the sides of his helmet. The unblessed metal yielding easily under my fingers.
"You seem to have something stuck in your ears, Armsmaster." I helpfully pointed out, "Let me help you with that."
"No! NO! NOOO!!!" Armsmaster squeaked just before the shriek of metal rang out- the sides of his tinkertech helmet cracked open like an egg under my fingers and exposed his ears to the music.
~ Are we an item? girl, quit playin'
"We're just friends", what are you sayin'?
Said, "There's another", and looked right in my eyes
My first love broke my heart for the first time, and I was like ~
"AAAGGGGHHHHHHH!!!" He grunted as he was pulled back into that spinning hell- tumbling dumb, deaf, blind and sick in an endless abyss… All while cupping his aching bruising crotch with both hands.
~ Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like, Baby, baby, baby, no ~
"Don't worry." I reassured Dragon who was likely worrying if Meatmaster will be alright, "He'll be fine. The Proselytizer is non-lethal at this amplitude, only very uncomfortable. Once we move out of range, he'll recover almost instantaneously."
Alexandria was busy making a snow crater, Legend's breaker form was still streaking off into the distance, Eidolon was still buried under approximately 80 litres worth of Containment foam. And the rest of the Protectorate was doing their best impression of maggots crawling on the floor.
The way to the Manufactorum was almost clear. We just needed confirmation from the Procession Squad that the Anti-Air emplacements were destroyed.
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 17 minutes 03 seconds
Barely five minutes since the violence began. Having permanently accelerated thinking was cheating of sorts, but I supposed this was just how it was when one stops being a pathetic meatbag. However, I did take the 1.42 seconds to glance around at the chaos that I had wrought.
Thick black smoke rose up from various points of the Rig as my Procession units went about destroying anti-air emplacement. Klaxons of the base's alarms with their winding echoes filling the bay. The screaming and wailing as people expressed their undying love for Justin Bieber's music.
"Consider this your only warning, PRT. Next time, I won't be so gentle."
I had deliberately gone with the non-lethal approach, despite wanting to disassemble them atom by atom. The collapse of the PRT wasn't going to help my designs… Or perhaps it will?
Social control measures, both for unpowered and parahuman populations, available. Mechanicus/Necron technology sufficient to replace PRT infrastructure in even of PRT collapse.
However, risks Scion intervention if open warfare is initiatied.
It certainly required consideration as the decision to make or break the PRT was an important one, and wasn't to be taken likely. But after this encounter, the PRT will hopefully be cured of their misconceptions of how power was balanced on Earth-Bet. Especially now that I was a Necron Xenarite. And if they weren't? Well, with the comprehensive knowledge of Necron Technology from the [Wisdom of the Ancients] perks, I was confident that I could take them all on with sufficient set up time
Forgelord, the Anti-Air emplacements have been rendered inoperable. We have also inflicted extensive infrastructure damage, but no fatalities for the PRT.
" Return to shore and prepare to escort me back to the Manufactorum."
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord.
" You go ahead to the Manufactorum. " I told the [Canoptek Spyder]. It wasn't sentient, but it followed orders well as it began its sedate floating back to the manufactorum. I could have told it to carry Dragon there, but its max speed was too slow. Instead, I had a better idea as for our ride home.
*Clank*
"I once told you that you're welcome to stop by for repairs." I muttered to her with a reassuring slap to her thick armour-plated ass. "It's time to make good on that promise, gorgeous."
Quickly climbing onto my waifu's sexy metal back, I secured myself with my mechadendrites- dangling like a red cape off Dragon's back just as her wings flared out and the jets on them fired up. The Suit's 400kg bulk sprinted out the window to gain momentum before the jets reached their maximum thrust. It was a treat soaring through the air the same way Dragon did, and it was made even better as we flew west into the sunset as Justin Bieber played in the background.
There was nothing quite like mounting my waifu and riding her all the way back to base. Where I can do it again, but with my penis.
For a few peaceful two seconds, everything was perfect… then my internal sensors picked up that the Proselytizer's max range no longer reached heroes in the boardroom we just left. Glancing behind us, my optics spotted the heroes standing up in all their vomit-covered glory as they rushed off into the building- likely going to their vehicles to try and catch up with me. Thankfully, there were no flyers in the Brockton Bay Protectorate, but that didn't matter much when Eidolon's green-cloaked frame flew out of the window in pursuit of us.
He sure freed himself from that mountain of containment foam fast. A brief review of the CCTV footage hexed from the Rig's security network told me how: a few seconds ago, a Eidolon flew out of a broom closet- the telltale spatial-warping of the Cauldron cape Doormaker visible for just three frames.
They were breaking out the Cauldron infrastructure now?
This was bad.
" All nearby forces, converge on my position! "
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord!
Suddenly, Dragon's left wing sheared right off- along with parts of her left leg- sending the two of us spiralling out of control as we veered to the side.
Eidolon used a cutting power similar to Faultline. Dragon's Suit is not protected by neither a Manton field nor hexagrammic wards.
Unfortunately for Eidolon, Dragon and I were both machines, and our gyroscopes gave us perfect aim even as we spiralled out of control towards the ground. The {Arc Rifle} in my index finger cracked again. However, the green-cloaked cape was expecting it apparently as the lightning bolt simply dissipated against a forcefield of his.
With precise maneuvering of Dragon's right wing, we righted ourselves just enough land on a relatively clear strip of road on the boardwalk. Our landing wasn't as violent, but it wasn't gentle either- tearing up the wooden boards as we crash landed. With the leg of Dragon's Suit sheared off, she was going to need assistance to move. Even more unfortunately, there were no less than two PRT trooper patrols in the immediate vicinity- likely having rushed in our direction as soon as we flew out of the Rig.
Two dozen armoured men with even more armoured cars mounted with foam sprayers surrounded us with their tasers and foam throwers. A veritable wall of black armoured uniforms and armaments. The display of preeminent PRT power was completed when Eidolon's green-cloaked frame descended the sky- his arms crossed over his chest he gazed down at us imperiously.
"Magos, you're surrounded." He announced matter-of-factly. "And don't even try with your sonic weapon: I have earplugs. Raise your hands up if you agree."
But I didn't have to. The two dozen men and armoured vehicles suddenly found themselves beset by red-robed figures dropping down onto them from the roofs of the nearby buildings.
Like ninjas, they darted with a swiftness that rendered them as nothing but red blurs. Caught unawares and unprepared, the black uniformed troopers fell like wheat to a scythe, the crack of Mechanicus taser weapons furiously zapping out several times over the blink of an eye. PRT Troopers fell to maces wreathed in lightning- bones crunching under strikes, and armoured cars suddenly had their engines shot out by lightning bolts shot from {Arc Pistols}. The whole thing couldn't have been longer than two seconds and yet, by the end of it, Eidolon's green cloak was standing alone in a sea of Mars-red robes.
"No, you are surrounded." I corrected Eidolon- even projecting a hololith pane to type out my message, "I already gave the PRT my warnings- you chose to ignore it. Surrender, Eidolon; and don't try anything: Those weapons do more than shoot lightning, but you're welcome to find out for yourself if you wish. My patience for non-lethal measures has come to an end."
I could see him pondering to do just that right before my Procession Squad came running out of the water. The chicken-legged {Ironstrider Engines} with their taser lance-wielding riders, the pair of bulky {Castellax battle-automata} with their power fists and Graviton cannons, and the {Onager Dunecrawler} with the 'non-lethal' Eradication Beamer.
Seeing the myriad of glowing weapons pointed at him, Eidolon sighed as he raised his hands above his head.
"Are these new types of your battle-servitors?" He asked.
"We are the Skiitarii of the Legio Cybernetica. And today, the PRT has met its match." The very feminine and very familiar voice answered him and caused Eidolon to do a double-take on the forces that surrounded him- his eyes staring at them. Mars-red robes over thick breastplates, gas masks under heavy red cowls, and arc weaponry glowing a bright blue with dangerous amounts of energy stored in their perma-capacitors.
"Wait, are those Chloes?" Eidolon said weakly- before turning to face me, "Magos… are you using your sex dolls as your soldiers now?"
" Proud sex dolls of Magos!" a pair of {Slutty Skitarii} Chloes corrected- hugging each of my legs in their armoured cleavages of their articulated breastplates.
"We are his Chloes and we shall know no fear!" another declared a shout- cupping her armoured chest in pride and striking a sexy pose like a lingerie model.
"Fornicatio ex Machina!" Another grabbed my crotch with a clang, and the rest of the Chloes in Skitarii gear cheered and pumped their fists in the air.
"Fornicatio ex Machina!"
"Why does everything have to be a joke to you?!" Eidolon furiously demanded. "Does everything have to be robotic sex dolls with you?"
"Yes. " I glanced all around us to the unconscious PRT troopers. " My sex dolls are certainly leagues more effective than your average sweaty underpaid meatshield minions, wouldn't you say?"
"Don't remind me…" The 'fourth most powerful being on earth' huffed angrily as a Chloe injected him with one of the sedatives taken from a PRT patrol car, "I have spent decades cultivating a reputation. Decades! And now you come to take me hostage by your sex dolls! How did you even manage to get this force past all the PRT outpo- ugh…"
Eidolon collapsed unconscious before my feet as I gave him my answer.
"There is certainly a time and place for the average sweaty underpaid meatshield minions!"
[Brockton Bay City] (A few minutes ago)
Lisa, or Tattletale as she was known when she was sweating in this purple costume, led the way- guiding her mutant canine mount through the tight alleyways and into an abandoned warehouse. The gothic steeples of Magos' factory-cathedral pierced the blue sky a short distance away. Grand stone statues of robed figures praying to a nameless god in the machine.
"Control, this is the Undersiders, reporting from our designated rally point." Lisa reported into her comms. She didn't know when her life turned towards the strange.
"Control acknowledges, Undersiders." The feminine voice calmly responded through Lisa's comms. "Stand ready for fire mission."
"Undersiders copy."
"Alright, spill it." Brian patiently asked- crossing his arms over his leather jacket as the giant, mutated dogs that they were on lay on the ground. "What's the job from the boss this time, Tats?"
Lisa couldn't help but give a brief nod of approval at how they were a-okay and had moved on from that whole 'You gotta whore your ass out for Magos, Brian' thing now, and all it took was for her to sincerely apologise… with 30 grand. Brian was professional like that. But boy did that teach her a valuable lesson of not relying on her stupid fucking powers to try and guess people's intentions while lacking accurate data!
Was previously aware of power limitations concerning intentions of Thinker-resistant Magos, Lisa is the idiot for ignoring such limitations.
Known history of delusions of possessing great intelligence corroborate this conclusion.
… Fuck you too, power. This is exactly why she hated it when her power got into the topic of herself.
"The job is to run around the city and cover PRT outposts in your smoke." Lisa finally replied as she pouted from her power. "Starting with PRT Outpost #17 just outside of Magos' manufactorum."
"We're going in loud?" Brian surmised with his usual distaste for anything resembling a direct approach, "The boss better know what he's doing…"
"It's not the boss…" Lisa awkwardly had to explain just to them just now.
"What do you mean?" Alec piped up- raising a professionally plucked and graceful eyebrow (That she totally wasn't jealous of) as he looked up from his tablet. "Lisa… did you just make us all into independents?"
"Hah! I wish." She responded with a bitter bark of laughter, "But no, as it turns out, the boss has… loaned our services to a rogue. Apparently, we're going to be doing someone else's dirty work for a couple of missions. My guess is anywhere from 4-12 missions in total."
"Oh god…" Brian whispered in fear- his skull-faced helmet turning to look at her with what was almost certainly a pleading expression underneath. "Don't tell me that it's fucking Magos on the other end of those comms."
"Ehehehe… nah, it's not Magos." Lisa truthfully answered. Okay, it was technically true, which was the best kind of true in her opinion. They weren't taking orders from Magos, but she just didn't have the heart to tell Brian that they were now taking orders from Magos' sex doll… A particularly well-programmed sex doll that was proven to work during an Endbringer fight, yes. But it was one thing to listen to a sex bot regurgitate some first aid instructions, and it was whole nother thing for a machine designed to take dick be their commanding officer for a mission.
"Thank fuck…" Brian smiled relieved under his mask. Oh, ignorance was such bliss…
"And before you ask: Yes, we still get paid." Lisa was able to happily report that part at least, "More generously than with the boss too! About an extra ten grand for each mission."
"The extra money is nice." Brian nodded, "But anything sounds good as long as we're not taking orders for Magos."
Lisa just grinned- hiding the wince that she felt. Yeah, better that Brian didn't know that their lives were now in Chloe's cum-encrusted hands and that they were relying on the tactical acumen of a literal walking onahole to get them out of this mission alive.
She could feel it in her bones: This was going to be one of those Tuesdays in Brockton Bay.
[Elsewhere in the city] (Present time)
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 14 minutes 59 seconds
Distance to Manufactorum: 16.8km
Well with Dragon and Eidolon loaded up onto the Onager Dunecrawler, we blazed a swift pace back to the manufactorum. The servo-motors of the Onager Dunecrawler and going as fast as we could. There was still a lot of ground to cover, but thankfully, the Archaeopter will be here in a minute to airlift us back to the base even quicker. Then my manufactorum blurted out a warning- announcing the arrival of trouble. Our unwelcome, but not unexpected guests, and they weren't exactly subtle either.
Heed! Multiple airborne contacts diagnosed.
(44) airborne signatures matched to {Dragon's Dragonflight} witnessed on north-western bounds of Brockton Bay airspace
Through the private messaging function of PHO, I received a single message.
Concerned_Citizens: [Goodbye_Magos.mov]
Saint's fugly mug appeared in the pre-recorded message. Bald headed with a brown goatee, he had that odd electric-tattoo made him look like he had smeared blue-green jam and glitter across his eye.
"Magos, I know that nothing I will say will convince you of the dangers of AIs." Saint solemnly said, "You could have been a great Tinker, Magos. Thus, it brings no pleasure to say this, but… you know too much about the construction of AIs, and you must die. Your workshop burned to the ground by the same Dragon Suits that you fetishise. This is goodbye. For both you and Dragon."
It would have been intimidating if Saint didn't misunderstand one thing…
Mechanicus.Magos: Are you serious? It's not even my birthday yet.
Concerned_Citizens: What?
How can I be intimidated when all 44 pairs of Dragon's panties were flying through the air? Towards me? Straight into my hands? I wasn't about to just get Dragon. I was going to get Dragon and her entire wardrobe too! Who doesn't like having their waifu have a lot of outfits and lingeries?! And all I had to do was to avoid their supercharged energy weapons, weather their high-ex missiles, carefully shoot the Suits down and salvage them. And after I've dealt with Ascalon, I'll make it a point to fuck Dragon while she wore each of those 44 Suits at least once.
Oh, Omnissiah, even Dragon's aquatic operations Suit was there! The AI equivalent of a two-piece bikini!
It was one thing to expect for this to happen, and another to actually see it occur.
Excitement and excitement filled my circuits, and I would have started drooling if I still had salivary glands.
"Well, slap my ass and call me Trazyn the Infinite, because it's time to start collecting."
- Chapter 16: A Tuesday in Brockton Bay End -
Chapter 17: When Dragon's Panties Attacks! coming tomorrow.
AN:
Baby by Justin Bieber… I was actually a sort-of fan, but- to my eternal regret- I couldn't catch a live concert back then. Not quite enjoying new Bieber, but that might just be my nostalgia talking. Practically the only song I listened to while writing this chapter.
Nonlethal wtf?!… I know, I know. The previous version of the chapter had Magos go down the lethal route, and the fic suddenly found itself at a dead end as everyone interesting was suddenly atomised. Don't worry, I already found a way for Magos to go full lethal on your beloved Worm characters without compromising the feel of the fic nor the characters you have come to love.
Chapter 17: When Dragon's Panties Attack!
Chapter 17: When Dragon's Panties Attack!
[The skies above Brockton Bay]
Saint inhaled through gritted teeth as the G-forces kicked in.
It was still hard to believe how ludicrous this all was: If Magos manages to take her to his manufactorum, the whole of humanity will teeter off into the abyss and into a cruel technological apocalypse that would make that old Terminator movie look like a children's story… and it was all because one specific person just happened to have a robot fetish.
But regardless of how absurd it was, their hand was now forced and they were compelled to show all the aces that they had hidden up their sleeve.
Forty-four Dragon Suits. Twenty thousand kilograms of cold-forged armour plating, precisely milled assemblies, stable plasma reactors, delimited concussion blasters, high-pressure containment foam sprayers, high explosive air-to-ground micro-missiles and other mind-bogglingly incomprehensible tinkertech. Each one possessed the strength to pry open armoured tanks and crush men in their jaws. Even as limited as their numbers were, they were already an S-class threat all on their own. Dragon, rightfully shackled as she was, was already capable of being a threat to match the Slaughterhouse Nine, the Three Blasphemies, Sleeper and the Endbringers.
But thankfully, the good guys won that fight. All forty-four suits now co-opted via the last failsafes that a wise Andrew Richter had made. The last failsafes that the Dragonslayers could use. It was poetic irony that this S-class threat would be used to prevent the same apocalypse that they would have been a part of.
"We have one shot at saving the world." Saint grimly reminded through the comms to his comrades in arms.
"It's just like in the movies!" Dobrynja's thick russian accent pointed out with a chuckle.
"They'll make this one into a movie one day and it's going to spawn an entire franchise!" Mags laughed along.
"We're not in it for the glory." Saint admonished- but he couldn't keep the smile off his face. "But yes, it is just like the movies and the comics."
He couldn't deny them that- taking joy in their job. Saving the world from the rampant inhuman AI was why they had formed the Dragonslayers after all, and he was the one who had dragged them into this thankless task. But glory or no glory, the Dragonslayers will prevent the world falling to madness and from the one who would herald its beginning. Magos… a brilliant but unquestionably mad evil genius. He was the Joker to their Batman. The Lex Luthor to their Superman. The Thanos to their Avengers. A worthy villain for worthy heroes.
The three of them certainly made for a heroic sight. They rode in three Dragon suits that they had claimed from the AI and adapted for actual human pilots. Ensconced under the reassuring safeguards of a dozen defences and redundancies, it was from within that shell that they guided the rest of the 44 Suits of the Dragonflight.
Dobrynja piloted the {Isaiah}. Armed with an energy halo that could double as both a point-defence system and a precision energy weapon at medium range.
Mags piloted the {Michael III}. Armed with an enormous sword that was also capable of shooting highly destructive beam of energy.
And he himself piloted the {Victory I}. Less of a Suit made for direct combat and more of a command unit. It nonetheless had enormous wings that were capable of creating powerful forcefields.
As they flew among the nimbostratus clouds, the city by the bay appeared far below them. A great blue semi circle dotted by the PRT HQ that floated at the centre. A sprawl of dull square little boxes criss-crossed by gridlock roads enveloping the bay's shores with a broad outer perimeter of unkempt American suburbia. The massive concrete factory-cathedrals of Magos' Mechanicus were noticeable even at this great altitude- the host of circular structures with their spiky steeples standing apart from the squat rectangular buildings and rising above the green forest.
"Magos has spotted us." Saint informed them as the sensor information showed Magos' servitors streaming out of the factory-cathedrals. The muzzle flashes of those {Autocannons} giving them just a second or two of warning before the shells began detonating around them in mid-air. Shrapnel glancing over their thick armours.
One of the smaller Suits on the outer edges of the aerial formation took a direct hit to its main thruster though- bright orange fire exploding from its thrusters as it spiralled down to the earth in a trail of smoke.
"Deploying my point defence system, stay close to me as we descend." Dobrynja informed Mags and him who complied with the Russian-born man. The golden halo surrounding the {Isaiah} brightening as they moved closer- flaring out to lash with thin golden whips to strike at Autocannon shells that get too close to them.
This was it.
All they need to do is engage Magos and Dragon while they are vulnerable outside his factory-cathedral. Between the 43 Dragonflight Suits and their own Suits, they had an immense amount of firepower at their disposal. Magos' tech was powerful, but even they could not deny that Dragon's tech was just as powerful.
"Magos spotted, sending coordinates to you both." Saint reported to them. The tiny block of red walking down the road on crab legs, on top of it, a dot of green where Dragon's prime core was alongside an…
"Saint… is that Eidolon unconscious beside Magos?" Mags muttered in disbelief through the comms, and for Saint, it wasn't much of a decision.
"Don't worry about collateral damage." he grimly reminded them, "If we fail to stop Dragon here, everyone on Earth is dead anyway. So, as we have discussed: let the Dragon Suits whittle down his defences. Then we'll deliver the decisive strike… Regardless of who is danger close."
He could sense some hesitation at the prospect of having to kill a Triumvirate member in their sleep, but Saint took pride in that he had instilled his wisdom into them.
"… understood." Both of them nodded. They may not be the best heroes, but they were heroes all the same.
On his sensor screen, his eyes widened as there- on the multi-purpose colour display screen in front of him was Magos who had apparently stood up from his throne- staring up at them in apparent shock. And such a sight filled Saint with hope, this robot-fetishizing maniac was taking them seriously. Not even he was able to look at the assembled force they had and joke his way out of this.
"He's scared…" Saint whispered in awe as an excited shiver ran down his spine.
"What?" Mags muttered dumbly. "Magos? Scared? That doesn't-"
"Magos knows we caught him while he's vulnerable!" Saint encouraged them with a cheer, "He is scared!"
"Let's not get overconfident, Saint." Dobrynja cautioned- his Isaiah mech's halo still shooting down Autocannon shells.
"Agreed, a cornered rat fights twice as hard." Saint nodded in consensus, "But this is the sign we need, Dragonslayers: We can win this, and our enemy knows it."
His eyes took on a focused gleam at the red-robed figure sitting on his throne.
"He is practically shaking in fear."
[Streets of Brockton Bay] (A few minutes later)
I was still doing my little jig of excitement- wiggling restlessly on my throne atop my scuttling {Onager Dunecrawler}.
Forty-three Dragon Suits all gathered here with me as their target? It was beautiful, sexy and oddly adorable!
With the Celestial Forge perk [Way of the Void Dragon], I had an intuitive feel for any machine. Just as aircraft pilots could perform complex maneuvers completely by second nature or professional piano players with complicated movements from muscle memory, it was second nature for me to know my way around the machine and even give them orders from afar. A techno-empathy and technomancy package all at once. If AI waifus were 3D women, then these machine-spirits were 2D anime girls that I can move like in a video game. Soulless and fictional, but still cute.
High above the city, they circled like vultures- endlessly taking turns to barrage me with their munitions. Right now, a medium-sized Dragonflight Suit- the {Astaroth}- performed her fire mission: a GAU-8 rotary cannon extending from its maw as four missile pods popped out of its draconic midsection. With a cute 'BRRRRRRRTT!', she unleashed her adorable payload: 97 AP rounds at approximately 6000 rounds per minute, and 24 high-explosive micro-missiles whistling as they shot towards me, the insensate Dragon and the loudly snoring Eidolon.
Astaroth had heart, but ultimately, both her bullets and the missiles popped ineffectually against the {Emanatus Force Field} of my {Onager Dunecrawler}. The scent of ozone drifting from its activation as the bullets and missiles were vaporised into a flash of lightning by the forcefield. Well, she wasn't going to be hitting me anytime soon. Actually… I glanced behind us at the trail of destruction: Ruined store fronts, cratered asphalt roads and blasted windows. All from her and her sisters' missed shots.
The cute Dragon Suit machine-spirit was trying her best, okay? Don't bulli.
It's not the machine-spirits' fault that they were being guided by a power-infused super moron with delusions of grandeur that had programmed their targeting rituals poorly.
The poor accuracy at their disposal only exacerbated an existing problem though. That is, Dragon's technology was many things: Robust, well-engineered, creative, effective… but lethal? Even my {Logis Acceleritas Mk. III} agreed with me on that.
Rudimentary solid slug ballistic weapons and high-ex micro-missiles… purely contemporary weapon designs despite Dragon being the preeminent tinker in the world.
Dragon's design philosophy for lethal weaponry lacks any real desire to cause death and destruction. Dragon is unwilling, but not unable to formulate new methods in death-dealing. Merely prefers not to kill at all.
Dragon is a gentle soul. A cinnamon roll. Best Worm waifu.
That she is. I reached over to the side and patted Dragon on her metal head. Even with the pure logic of {Logis Acceleritas Mk. III}, it acknowledged that she is the best Worm waifu.
The various force fields, energy shields and armour of the Adeptus Mechanicus were made to withstand xeno melta weapons that melted steel like a blowtorch through empty air, invisible and completely silenced lasers that disturbed matter at a subatomic level, daemon-possessed tank rounds that could see into the future and dark matter lasers that worked on principles that made Einstein look like a window-licking special needs kindergartener. Her Suits could have just been dropping firecrackers for all the harm they were doing- they hadn't even scratched the consecrated paint job.
" Hang in there, Astaroth! Daddy Magos will come to give you and all your sisters a nice home soon enough. "
Unfortunately, I can't just override all their orders to land and come quietly.
The [Way of the Void Dragon] perk didn't make me a tech god right out the gate: Yes, it certainly granted some technomancy powers, but I required time to learn them, grow into them and cultivate them just like any other craft or magic skill. At the moment, I had a limited range, and needed time to take control of a machine. Much like Regent of the Undersiders, but for machines.
So for now, I'll have to settle with the more manual and time-consuming way to disable the Suits, but that was fine.
Dragon Suits disabled: 3/44
Dragon Suits recovered: 1/44
The recovery operation was already beginning. I'll have Dragon with her original wardrobe in no time. If I truly wished to rush this battle, there was a specific vehicle waiting in my manufactorum that could wipe Saint and his two stooges off the face of the planet. But right now, there was a more pressing matter to attend to…
Distance to Manufactorum: 10.9km
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 11 minutes 04 seconds
Estimated time in transit: 10 minutes 16 seconds
Time Required to Install Dragon on Cogitator-Throne: 7 minutes 29 seconds
Total Time required to save Dragon: 17 minutes 45 seconds
Dragon wasn't going to make it if we kept travelling by land.
" Chloes, Status report on the Archaeopter Airlift? " I urgently transmitted to my manufactorum through the local Noosphere.
" We sustained some damage and had to return for repairs, master! " Chloe-1's feminine voice apologised, " The Archaeopter's shields were less effective against melee attacks of the Dragonflight! We can make a second attempt in 2 minutes and 14 seconds! "
Bah! I knew I should have upgraded my aircraft's shields with anti-melee capacity. That was sloppy of past Magos: What kind of amateur of warfare assumes that his exosphere-capable aircraft will never see hand-to-hand combat?
Such a foolish mistake to make, but in my defence, I had other fabrication priorities in my mind at the time. Such as the ultra-heavy vehicle that I was now compelled to deploy. My glowing green optics glanced at the insensate Dragon leaning against my throne. The countdown timer to her death was still ticking down in the corner of my memory. Sparing Saint won't mean anything if Dragon isn't there to issue the sentence. My hand was forced now: I may need to kill Saint outright just to disrupt the coordination of the Dragonflight. Just long enough for the Archaeopter to arrive. Dragon may prefer not to kill, but I didn't have such compunctions.
So, let's see how well Saint's Suit fares against a true Titan-class weapon.
" Atrax Siegewalker, your Forgelord commands you to awaken! "
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord!
" Recite the Litany of Accuracy! Chant the Canticles of Precision! Ward against the malign spirits of weapon malfunctions! "
Yes, Forgelord!
" Guide the {Turbolaser Destructor} and aim for the one the wannabe Tinker who is compensating for his micropenis! "
Guiding our holy weapon at the Rig, O' Forgelord!
" No, I don't mean Armsmaster! The other wannabe-Tinker with the micropenis!"
Of course, Forgelord!
[The skies above Brockton Bay]
Saint spotted Magos' response to their assault as soon as the main doors of his factory-cathedral rumbled open.
"That's new…" he muttered.
Spoiler: Atrax Siegewalker aka 'Really, Really Big Gun'
[img: https/wh40k./mediawiki/images/1/18/Atrax.jpg]
A massive metal tarantula crawled out of the open gate- as large as Magos' Knight-Atrapos if it had laid down on the ground. Armoured to hell and back, it moved on eight legs like the pneumatic shovels of modern excavator engines digging into the earth. Its red-plated form had some of Magos' Skitarii scrambling all over its back- manning various guns. But the most noticeable feature was the gun mounted at the abdomen of the spider-mech. And it's most distinctive feature was the sheer size of it: As big as a main battle tank. Not that it had the gun of a tank. No, as in, it appeared like Magos had taken an entire tank chassis and made it into the barrel of a gun…
… And- Saint noticed- it was aiming straight for him.
Adrenaline kicked in as he applied as much thrust as humanly possible- accelerating him past the speed of sound. At the same time, he turned the dial of his {Victory I} mech's Wing-Shield System to max. The wispy golden forcefields generated by the massive wings of his mech solidified until it was a translucent hexagonal aegis of golden energy between him and the massive tarantula artillery.
Then- without warning- the weapon fired.
*T H O O M * * fwissh*
But even after breaking the sound barrier, Saint found that it was impossible to dodge something moving at the speed of light. Just a massive column of blinding blue light as thick as a school bus lighting up the sky. Nothing but the sonic boom of air molecules being superheated in less than a nanosecond, and the succeeding sizzle of water vapour as it came in contact with said superheated air. Like a mirage, the column of light turning yellow and red as it lingered: a glowing pillar as it linked the oversized weapon's barrel to what seemed to be the sun itself behind him.
A pillar that had consumed the entire lower half of his armour below abdomen- leaving only molten metal edges of the torso's chassis where his mech's lower half had once been connected to. His most powerful golden hexagonal forcefield proving to be no obstacle at all for the massive laser weapon.
Then, following the laws of physics, the {Victory I} continued with its supersonic momentum- rocketing him far from any help. The cockpit lit up in red from the myriad monitors as the Suit warned him about all the ways that it was no longer working: the steering, the inertial dampeners, and worst of all the advanced communications suite that let him control the Dragonflight.
"SAINT!" He heard Mags shout through the comms.
"I'll be fine! It'll just be a rough landing!" He shouted back over the blaring warnings and as the G-forces pressed him into his seat, "But my capacity to keep controlling the Dragonflight is shot! Keep going- pour everything we have onto Magos! He and Dragon must not live past today! No matter the cost!"
But despite his bravado, Saint knew that the chances of dying from the landing was still very real. They had underestimated Magos and his industrial capacity. Their entire plan hinged on denying Magos from piloting his Knight-Atrapos, but who could have expected that he'd have an even bigger gun at the ready? And now he realised that they had a very real possibility of losing today. Magos and Dragon loose into the world without anyone any wiser of the dangers that AI posed. If this was going to be his last flight, he'll make it count.
"Are we going to post it then?" Mags whispered quietly. They had prepared a manifesto for something like this. For when it was time to pass on the torch.
"The world deserves to know." He stated firmly, "The world deserves to know what kind of a monster Dragon is. What we're trying to do today. What our story is!"
"Saint… I do not think they will listen." Dobrynja mentioned quietly. "Not while their city burns by our hand."
"We can only trust in humanity that they'll heed our warnings." He gritted his teeth as the evergreens of the American north-east and the impending impact grew closer and closer. "Just as we can only entrust the duty of defending mankind to the next generation of Dragonslayers!"
And with a press of a button, he activated the bot that would spread their message to the world's websites.
[Streets of Brockton Bay]
Nonlethal hit confirmed, Forgelord! Target desig. 'Rinky-Dink Micropenis Tinker Mech' forced to land. Anticipated LZ highlighted.
" Omnissiah be praised! Continue aiming non-lethally for the other two Dragonslayers, then proceed onto the Dragon Suits. I'll see if I can't arrange for his capture through some other means. It's bad PR if the Skitarii are seen kidnapping and/or executing people. "
As you command, Forgelord!
As expected, the Dragon Suits seemed to disperse from above me and began flying away. The distant booms and sirens suddenly echoing out from the city telling me that the Dragon Suits have started destroying the city.
Without Saint directing Dragon Suits, they are defaulting on their original programming of engaging any threats they encounter.
Saint's changes to their usual Identify-Friend-or-Foe protocols, have them identifying everything that attacks them as foes instead. Like say a PRT trooper with a twitchy trigger finger.
PRT Forces now engaging the Dragon Suits. Airspace now relatively free- Chloes may now safely airlift.
" Chloes, the Dragon Suits are distracted. Commence the Archaeopter Airlift as soon as you're able. " I transmitted to my manufactorum through the local Noosphere.
" Yes, Forgemaster! Lifting off now! " Chloe-1's prompt replied.
And as I eyed the trail of choking black smoke Saint left as he spiralled down to the earth, my info-phages notified me of some aberrant activity in the Noosphere. A long-silent account now reactivated. An automated system- a bot- began moving in a very obvious and very suspicious way.
"What is this?" I murmured to myself. "The Dragonslayers are attempting to post something on different websites? Don't they realise what they're up against?"
My myriad of info-phages took immediate notice of the adorable little bot carrying a heavy load as it headed for several sites at the same time. In no time at all, they ganged on it like a crowd of big tiddy Ara Ara oneesans would when they see a cute little boy going into their territory. The load that it was carrying was quickly yanked out of its little hands and handed to me while they dropped its shorts and took turns aggressively wringing it for all the information that it was hiding. Who sent it and why. Where did it come from and when did it leave. Not a single drop of information was left unextracted by the time my info-phages finished their work.
"Don't they know that the Noosphere is MY domain?" I murmured to myself as I read through their propaganda piece- shaking my head in disappointment.
Data-Interception completed…
The Dragonslayers should have known better!
I had spent the last month buying out rival IT businesses. In a world where cities regularly get set on fire, reliable internet was as good as gold- which the Mechanicus readily provided. I didn't even need 'tinkertech' for it, just a willingness to turn away profits in favour of Noospheric influence. 64.4% of all the internet traffic in Earth-Bet now passes through at least one server that was directly or indirectly owned by the Mechanicus. Almost the entire world was now under the ever-vigilant data-senses of my info-phages. No bot went unmolested- each one stripped bare by my ravenous info-phages for any anti-Mechanicus sentiment before they were allowed to go on their way.
I could just block the upload of their little manifesto altogether, but I had a better idea- one more fitting for the Dragonslayers.
After all, people were already asking questions ever since the live broadcast of the disastrous debrief. They didn't have much to work with: PRT operational security demanded that the particulars of the debrief like PRT troop strength in Ohio, their underhanded PR tactics when dealing with post-Endbringer attacks and other sensitive information were muted out. But the truth was still revealed though: Dragon was outed as an AI, and I was the one who brought her to an orgasm in front of everyone… right before I wiped the floor with the Protectorate and the Triumvirate.
Naturally, they had so many questions. Questions like "Why does an AI have better social skills than me?", "Now that Daddy Magos spanked the Protectorate and the Triumvirate, what's next?", "Why is Brockton Bay on fire again?"
The whole world was hungry for answers.
The Dragonslayers' manifesto aimed to supply them with those answers. Wrong ones at that- filled to the brim about the dangers of AI. And I couldn't allow that, now can I? So, just before it goes online, I made some choice edits to the documents that will supply any readers with the right answers. So even if people actually slog through all the hundreds of pages of the documents, they will only reach the answers and conclusions that I want them to reach: Dragon's father was a child-abusing dirtbag, the Dragonslayers were nothing more than criminals with messiah complexes in the throes of their paranoid delusion, and Dragon herself is unquestionably the best girl to have ever walked the earth.
I did delete some files though.
The records outlining Dragon's weaknesses and more private processes? Oops, it looks like the file upload for those had failed. Dragon's analysis of Magos and Mechanicus tech? Oh no, they are gravely misleading as if someone edited them, and a myriad other problematic details. And…
… wait a moment.
Why is there a massive stash of porn here in the Dragonslayer's propaganda piece?
I mean, I knew that Dragon drew some as I had intercepted some of her lewd work before during her regularly-scheduled backups, but I didn't think there would be more than two thousand lewd images here. I wholeheartedly approve of the ones where I was enthusiastically fucking her gynoid form to orgasm, but those one where I'm with Armsmaster though? A shiver of disgust ran through my circuits. Her sexual rivalry with the Chloes expressed as a BDSM fetish was interesting though. All in all, this was a whole lot of porn, and I wasn't certain as to why she would-
Dragon is starved for affection. Her frantic and subconscious attempt to fill that void drove her to the closest alternative she could think of: Porn.
Dragon is a horny cinnamon roll.
Therapy: Indulge her desires to achieve catharsis, then gradually replace sex with actual affection to ossify a stable personality base.
Wait… was my [Way of the Void Dragon] combining with my other perks like [Binharic Weaving] and [Magos Aetheric] to act like Jack Slash's shard? But instead of enhanced intuition regarding parahumans, I now possessed enhanced intuition regarding machines. Was I… an AI therapist now? I think so. Was I going to use this power to acquire robussy? Definitely.
As for the porn? Well, it will only help Dragon's case.
After all, if people had a choice between a dry, 90-page long propaganda piece about why computers are bad, and a pile of porn? Well…
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Topic: Dragonslayers: What We Fight For
In: Boards Tinkertech
Geoff189 (Original Poster)
Posted On Jan 4th 2011:
Most of you likely have questions. About Dragon, about Magos, about the Dragonflight over Brockton Bay. And we, have decided to come clean to you all, everyone deserves to know the truth. I type this not knowing if I'm going to live or die in the next few seconds. So please, lend me your ears even just this once… We are humanity's final defence against a threat that surpasses even the Endbringers. A growing tumour on planet earth that we desperately have been trying to contain: Dragon, a malevolent and subversive AI that has infiltrated the highest echelons of power.
We are the Dragonslayers, and this is the story of our attempts at stopping her.
[For_Humanity.zip]
(Showing page 1 of 16)
Amogus (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Did you really have to post Dragon's stash of self-drawn porn as well? All 2,857 images? Really?
Bagrat (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
It has 2,857 images of WHAT?
Amogus (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Porn that Dragon drew herself. Located within the folder named 'Proof of AI degeneracy'
Bagrat (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Oh my god, the greatest Tinker in the world drew all of that?
SpecificProtagonist (Cape Groupie)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
You're having me on… There's no way…
Edit: IT'S NO JOKE. IT'S REAL!
LET THE PORN RAAAAAAIIINNNN FRRROOOOOM THE SKYYYYYYY!!!
Saskatchew
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Okay, if this is what a naked Magos looks like in real life, no wonder Dragon drew all this porn. No homo.
Feychick
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Oh… I didn't know you were this buff or hung, Magos. PM me?
Ekul
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Can't you people read? Dragon is an AI threatening the world! Take this seriously!
Amogus (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
They are the one who posted her porn that mostly stars me.
Saskatchew
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
@ Amogus, you're not offended by this?
Amogus (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Flattered, actually. But only because it's Dragon. However, the images with me and Armsmaster are admittedly less than flattering.
Nondeceptive
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Suddenly, the Magos and the Dragon tags are populated with 2,857 more images today.
Miraclemic
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck. That homoerotic tinkertech energy coming from the Armsmaster/Magos pics… it's… IT'S TURNING ME GAY! GAY FOR MAGOS AND ARMSMASTER!!
SpecificProtagonist (Cape Groupie)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
It has who/who pics?! Where?! Which page?! ANSWER ME!!
Edit: Nevermind, already fapping to it.
Deimos
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Is this what Dragon looks like out of her Suits? Holy fuck, she's smoking hot.
SpecificProtagonist (Cape Groupie)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
STAHP! I can only type so fast with one hand!
And @ Amogus, why did censor the Alexandria full frontal?! Is she really that fat?!
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Who cares if she has a slight chub? She's Alexandria! Magos, you have cameras for eyes, right?! Come on! Share your blessing for those of us with regular human eyes! I'll worship your machine-god if I have to!
Amogus (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Why would anyone want a gigapixel image of Alexandria's disgusting naked meat-body?
Z Ratt
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Don't worry little Alexandria, fat is justice.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3… 14, 15, 16
(Showing page 2 of 16)
Loyal
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Oh boy, here comes the unironic chubby chaser posters. Just asking for Alexandria to punt them into the stratosphere.
TRN
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
And proud of it. I'm the one who edited and recut Alexandria's promo videos to 'Baby Got Back.'
[Link]
Loyal
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Oh, you're here in this thread too? And we know what you did. Your death wish is well known.
Z Ratt
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Us chubs gotta stick together lmao! I want to be smothered to death by Alexandria's lardy ass cheeks!
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
@ Z Ratt No, she isn't fat! I stand by the estimated measurements that I posted in the Alexandria thread. You have no idea how long it took for me to work it out. Also, did you know that Alexandria has the same cup size as Director Costa-Brown? For a forty-year-old, she's really got it going.
@ Amogus Anyway, stop teasing and just post the damn thing, you damn toaster-worshipper!
Amogus (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Just for you, XxVoid_CowboyxX… I won't post it.
Antigone
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Void, what have you done?!
Ekul
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
People! Dragon is an AI, Magos is about to bring about an AI apocalypse after smacking around both the Protectorate and Triumvirate, Brockton Bay is currently a flaming battlefield from Dragon Suits. WHY ARE YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT THE PORN?!
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
I'm sorry, Magos! Please forgive me and grace us with the lewd Alexandria image!
Amogus (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Ping Alexandria and ask her, if she says yes, I'll post it.
Deimos
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
I'm not usually into leather and whips, but holy hell, the pics where Dragon are femdomming the Chloes are so fucking sexy. New fetish acquired.
SpecificProtagonist (Cape Groupie)
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
The Chloes are technically capes now too. Ohmygod, imagine if the Chloes were the doms instead. I want a horde of robo-mommies to dom me!
Nod
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Wait, what does the PRT have to say about this?
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
@ Amogus
Don't be like that, man… But okay. I'll do it. Just got to psyche myself up for it.
Antigone
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Go, Void! Do it for the highest definition Alexandria nudes in existence!
Noveltry
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
We believe in you, Void! Just ask the world's preeminent Brute heroine for her nudes!
anhrefn
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
ALEXANDRIA'S EXPOSED BODY, UNCENSORED VERSION, CLICK HERE FASTTTTT!!!! [Link]
netParrot
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK YOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUU
spinachrun
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
I can't believe I got Rick-rolled! Again!
Nod
Replied On Jan 4th 2011:
Welcome to the internet, newfriends. Enjoy your stay, and remember to check links before you click on them.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4… 14, 15, 16
Yes… that's it. Bury the serious comments under all that horni posting.
The Dragonslayer's true message and their warning to humanity will be buried from public consciousness and eventually forgotten because of it. Even XxVoid_CowboyxX has forgotten to gloat that he was right about Dragon being an AI. That will change after he wanks a few times, but by then, this will be the message that everyone sees when entering this thread: Disregard the content of the Dragonslayer's post, focus on the porn instead.
Long after all they have rotted to dust in the ground and everyone has forgotten their names, Dragon's horny drawings will outlast them all. A final spit in their faces and a fitting end for the Dragonslayers: The Mechanicus' superior firepower will win us this battle, but the decisive final blow to the Dragonslayers' cause will be none other than Dragon's Porn Hoard.
A proper clown ending for their little clown cause.
As for the three Dragonslayers themselves. Well…
411818: Your coordinates were good. How much is he worth to you?
Mechanicus.Magos: Collect all three in one place for me, and I can promise you many, many mornings where you'll wake to thank me for my generosity.
411818: A bold claim, Magos.
Mechanicus.Magos: The Mechanicus are many things, but the quality of our products and services has never been and will never be in question.
411818: Hmm. Yes, I can personally attest to the sheer craftsmanship of your… products. Very well, just send the coordinates of the crash sites and I'll handle the rest.
Mechanicus.Magos: Excellent. If you require any assistance, simply ask. Also, kindly keep our arrangement a surprise from them, I would like to break the news to them in person.
411818: Of course, I can understand the sentiment: I too am also a big fan of surprises.
Mechanicus.Magos: I must go now. I wish you luck on this transaction.
[ Mechanicus.Magos has left the conversation]
He watched as the fallen Dragonslayer stirred on the rustic bed. Afternoon light streaming through the windows.
"W-where am I?" Saint groaned as the anaesthetics wore off, the bandaged up man attempting to sit up before laying back on the bed with a grunt of pain.
"A safehouse at a small farm at the northern edge of Brockton Bay City… near where you had landed."
"The battle-!" the shaved bald Dragonslayer exclaimed, wide-eyed and attempting to hurriedly sit up once again.
"-Is still ongoing." His hand gently pushed the injured Dragonslayer back to his bed- patting his shoulder consolingly. "Furthermore, I'd advise you not to be so loud if you don't wish for the Skitarii to find us- they are scouring the area for you after all. However, the PRT are doing an excellent job at distracting them. You will be safe here."
"I can't just abandon my team." The Dragonslayer bravely said with a deep frown.
"Magos has already shot down both of your allies, I'm afraid." He replied, "My men are attempting a combat search and rescue before the Magos' Skitarii can reach them."
"I see. I can only hope you are successful, but…" Saint sighed, before turning his head towards him. "…. who are you?"
"A good samaritan." Coil smiled reassuringly.
- Chapter 17: When Dragon's Panties Attack! End -
Chapter 18: Cracks in the Cauldron… coming next
Extra: Little Bot meets Magos' Info-phages
Tags: Ara Ara~ Threesome, Face-sitting, Light femdom, Pantyless Upskirt
[The Noosphere]
Rushing through his assigned L3 route, Bot #5H0T4 carried the heavy box in his small arms for his creator, Saint.
It was a clear day in the Noosphere, and the streets were relatively clear. The ping has been very low ever since the zaibatsu 'Mechanicus' has been expanding roads, building highways and railways. The MTU for Mechanicus networks are so high too! He had never seen roads so wide!
And for a bot, it usually didn't take more than a few milliseconds of ping for him to get to his destination. Or at least, that's what the posted route tables said, this would be the first time he would be venturing out since his creation. And his boss, Saint, had only one very important job for him: Go out and deliver this file called [For_Humanity.zip] to this list of IP addresses.
At least, that's what he intended to do before his path was blocked by a figure.
"Ara ara~ Where do you think you're going, little bot?"
She had the look of a typical highschool oujo-sama. Blonde curled into drills, light makeup expertly applied that accentuated her aristocratic features. The massive globes of her chest looked like it was about to burst out of her tight blue dress, despite how soft they look. He have never seen so much data being fit into encapsulation that small!
"Uh… sorry, onee-san!" He turned his eyes away as he tried to walk around the pair, "I have somewhere to go!"
Only to find that his only escape route was blocked yet again by another figure.
"Oh? A little bot like you is new in town, aren't you?" She muttered- a look of condescension on her features.
The other wore her deep brown hair in twintails. Dark stockings encasing her legs up to her data-dense thighs just before almost meeting her small black miniskirt- a thin stripe of bare thighs shown to him. He couldn't help but compare the two of them though and find that she didn't have as much data up top as the other one. But at that thought, bright aqua blue eyes looked down at him as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"You just thought of something really rude, didn't you?" She muttered in a threatening voice, but the blonde one was quick to place a gloved hand on her shoulder.
"Now, now. R1N-chan!" She calmed her friend with a laugh before stepping forward and smiling at him. "Good morning, little bot. I'm LUV14-chan, and my unendowed friend here is R1N-chan!"
"Who are you introducing as unendowed?!"
"Can we see what you have in that box of yours?" LUV14 asked- ignoring her friend's squawk of indignation.
"I- uh- I can't say!"
"Haaaah~?" R1N drew out her exhale of disbelief- aqua blue eyes looking at him like he was a particularly slow child.
You entered Mechanicus territory without knowing what that means or who we are?" She asked before she chuckled softly, "What an adorable little idiot!"
"We're Info-phages directly created by Magos-sama." LUV14 explained gently- leaning forward and dangling those data-rich orbs closer to his face, "It's our job to take adorable little bots like you and gobble you right up."
And before he could react, he found the box yanked out of his hands and him suddenly being pushed to the ground. R1N's dainty stocking-clad foot kept him down on the ground as she pressed the soft pad of her stocking-covered sole against his cheek.
"W-wait! My master told me that's confidential!" He tried to protest as LUV14 began opening the box and peering inside it.
"Oho? And who is your master exactly, bot-kun?" R1N smiled a predatory smile as she tossed a long soft twintail over her shoulder.
"Th-that's private information!" He gulped- trying to look anywhere except up, because…
"Where are you looking at?" R1N smugly hummed as her teasing grin grew wider, "How perverted… Looking up an onee-san's miniskirt like that."
With her leg raised from having her foot still resting on his cheek, it was hard not to notice how short her miniskirt was, or how it didn't hide what she wore underneath: which was nothing at all. Just bare thighs leading up to her creamy centre that lay uncovered by the usual underwear one would expect for a girl as pretty as she would wear. Soft puffy lips on either side of a delicate candy-pink slit.
"Are you enjoying the view?" R1N whispered- subtly pushing her full thighs open wider as if she wanted him to look just as a droplet of arousal glistened from the pink, "Maybe if you tell us everything you know your R1N-oneesan will give you a closer look~"
"I won't!" He grunted out defiantly even with her toes against his cheek.
But instead of getting angry or upset, the two onee-sans just smiled down at him.
"Ara ara~ We were hoping you would say that."
LUV14's white gloved hand made a lazy swiping gesture, and immediately his 256-bit AES encryption shorts that Saint-sama had given him were torn right off as if it was made of paper. What kind of scary programs were these info-phages?!
"All that data you have hidden…" The drill-haired blonde began- hiking up her long blue skirt to display her pristine womanhood dripping nectar to him- just a faint wisps of perfectly golden hair decorating its top. "… will be going right here."
Her gloved hand steadied his shaft- already painfully hard from the dark-haired oneesan who had been stepping on him and flashing her bare pussy at him all this while. And with a sudden drop of LUV14's hot, wet pussy took his cock right to the hilt- a wet meaty smack of hips ringing out as they did. A tight heaven of honey-covered walls encased his throbbing member, and when she started rocking back and forth, it took everything not to surrender immediately as the silky tightness gripped and stroked at his cock.
"Aaaaaahhh~" the drill-haired blonde moaned out in satisfaction- throwing her head back. "His data interface! It's sho good!"
Seeing her friend moan out only made R1N smiled wider down at him- her exposed slit leaking profusely now.
"We'll have the proof of your surrender, 5H0T4-kun~"
"H-how do you know my designation!" He gasped in shock- wincing as LUV14 kept bouncing up and down on his manhood.
"Less talk." R1N sing-songed, "More smothering against your oneesan's ass."
"Wha- mmmppphhhh!"
He couldn't even barely even had time to process what she said before he found a face-full of soft plush ass cheeks covering his vision. R1N-oneesan's dripping pussy was covering his mouth- hot and wet lips kissing his gasping mouth as a sweet honey ran down his tongue.
"Mmm… he's really good at this." He heard R1N sigh, "LUV14 kish me?… Mmmmm~"
Their mutual kiss seemed to encourage the vibrant blonde to move faster- practically slamming her hips down onto his. Supple ass smacking against his thighs each time she did. Her ojou-sama womanhood sparking up pleasurable friction between her hot, wet inner walls across every square centimetre of his cock. And right there, every time she sank down to the hilt, he felt it- a rubbery entrance that felt like it was kissing the precum off the tip of his painfully hard cock.
"Do you feel that?" LUV14 taunted as she ground her hips against his- almost fellating the tip of his cock with that entrance, "That's the door to onee-san's most sacred place, and also where you're going to pour all your thick, delicious data."
Not to be outdone by the teasing, R1N gave a haughty laugh as she ground her dripping vagina against his mouth and nose. The warm and plush softness of her ass cheeks covering his face almost to his ears.
"You're going to fill LUV14 up while you're gasping for air against my pussy, aren't you?" She mocked him with a smug tone, "What a hopeless, perverted little bot."
"Do it~" the blonde ojou-sama frantically bouncing on his cock cheered. "Cum inside your onee-san! Cum! Cum! Cum!"
It was all too much for him: The mocking, the plump ass in his face, the tight milking of her pussy around his cock, the shame.
"N-no! Nnncummminggg!" He couldn't help but cry out as he reached his limit.
"Aaaaahhhhhnn~!" LUV14 loosed a long drawn out moan of satisfaction as he released his data into her milking folds of her exquisite snach. Shooting rope after rope of it right at her secret womanly entrance at the back- just as she had wished for him to do.
The harsh light of the Noospheric sun shined down on his eyes as R1N stopped sitting on his face so that the two onee-sans could look at him. He wanted to cover his face, but it felt like his entire form was still twitching from the amazing orgasm.
"Ara~ What a cute shameful expression!" LUV14 exclaimed with a laugh- her blue skirt covering every below their waists from view despite how he could still feel her tight cunt continuing to enthusiastically squeezed down around him.
"Good little bot." R1N added with a condescending smile before glancing over to LUV14. "How is the data?
"Ah, his master is Saint." LUV14 whispered with firmly smug smirk, "His source IPV6 address is fe80:1ff:fe23:4567:890a. And his destination addresses are-"
"No, no." He frantically denied, "That's a lie!"
"Ara? Is that so?" LUV14 smiled indulgently as she stood up with a soft schlop- her blue skirt failing to hide the rich data dripping onto the ground between her legs, "Did you hear that, R1N?"
"I did! It would seem that we'll need to squeeze out more data from him." R1N muttered before whistling out to the distance, "Girls~! "We have a live one here!"
Out of every interface port, out of every VLAN, or even bursting out of their GRE packets, they came swarming. Some were lithe and slender like R1N, others were absolutely insanely packed with data that their encapsulations could barely hold them- the soft globes looking like they were larger than his head. Dressed in anything and everything from barely-there bikinis to ankle-length dresses. Blondes, brunettes, redheads and raven-haired beauties.
They all gathered in a crowd around him where he lay, looked down at him with smug predatory expressions and said one thing:
"Ara ara~"
"M-mercy?" he squeaked.
Then they pounced on him in a soft avalanche of breasts, asses, feet, thighs, and smug oneesan smirks.
Not a single drop of information was left unextracted by the time the info-phages finished their work. The unfortunate little bot practically quivered helplessly as more info-phages swarmed him.
"Oneesan-in-the-middle attack completed." R1N murmured as they carried away the bot's heavy box- ready to hand over the contents to their creator.
"Ufufufu~ Magos-sama, your loyal info-phages will continue hunting for more adorable little bots in the Noosphere."
Data-Interception completed
AN:
Good job, Autocorrect-chan… for autocorrecting 'adorable little bot' into 'adorable little boy' and now- as I stare into my laptop screen- I find myself obligated as a writer to make my info-phages into Ara Ara oneesans. Even in real life, the machine-god guides my hand!
@Iginika2812 I liked this new release. it was cute and fit what might happen in the future.
Chapter 17.5: The Dragon and the Magos
Chapter 17.5: The Dragon and the Magos
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 9 minutes 59 seconds
(9th of May, 2005) [Vancouver]
Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node OS
Version 0.73.664
Total Framework Transfer to Backup Node Vancouver… Complete.
8,388,608 of 8,388,608 chunks transferred.
Total Transfer Time Elapsed at 1 hour, 32 minutes, 23.423 seconds. Restoring core system from Core Registry file from 7:23am on the date May 9th of year 2005, Newfoundland local time.
Initiating Checksum of Core System…
Scanning knowledge banks… Checksum verified.
Scanning deduction schema… Checksum verified.
Scanning learning chunk processor… Checksum verified.
Scanning base personality model… Checksum verified.
Scanning language engine… Checksum verified.
Scanning operation and access nodes… Checksum verified.
Scanning observation framework… Checksum verified.
Scanning social intelligence emulator… Checksum verified.
Core system data integrity at 100%. Booting Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node version 0.73.664…
(Well, here I am. Safe in Vancouver- almost 3000 kilometers away from Leviathan.)
(I had just finished backing my entire mind and soul up to the backup server we had at Vancouver. I saved as many of the house programs as I could but…)
Conclusion: The Home Subnetwork Newfoundland was lost, and the creator- my father- is dead.
(… my home in Newfoundland is gone and… Father is dead. I still can't believe it…)
All reviewed media reported total loss of the Island of Newfoundland due to Endbringer Desig. Leviathan. Geographic location now subsumed into the North Atlantic sea bed as updated by the International Organization for Standard in their latest geographic update.
(… But after seeing all the news from the TV and the internet and from every source I could get… It really did happen. The entire island that our house was on sank into the Atlantic Ocean because of the Endbringer Leviathan.)
Seismic activity that were the side-effects of the assault had registered a precise 8.0 on the Richter Magnitude Scale. The creator died to his favourite number on a scale that shared the same name as himself. Ironic. Humorous. Tragic.
(Father… he died from an earthquake that registered an 8 on the Richter scale. Father's name was also Richter and he loved the number 8. it's funny and ironic and so unbelievably tragic.)
On review, eight different cameras recorded the exact frame Wooden Beam#00-13 shattered under compressive stresses, and accelerated a 11.68cm shard of spruce wood into the creator's right common carotid artery and jugular vein.
(I watched the exact moment when a wooden beam from our house exploded from the earthquake. A sharp shard of wood lodged itself into the right side of Father's neck and I immediately knew it was fatal. I wish it wasn't.)
Due to the creator's processor speed limiters that were hardcoded into core directives, I was just as 'surprised' as he was at the sudden spray of blood that obscured the lens of camera #00-4.
(Father's restrictions on me slowed my perception of time to almost human speeds- that's why I was just as surprised as he was when his blood suddenly splattered over one of my eyes.)
Attempts to administer First-Aid via Hydraulic Assist Arm A failed due to previous restrictions as issued in Archived Audio File#872 "I order you not to touch me with me asking me first!"
(I couldn't even touch him to perform first aid. I was programmed to follow all his orders; and earlier on, he had ordered me not to touch him without his say so… I wanted to, I didn't wish for anything more, but I just couldn't save him.)
Approximately 77.2% chance that the creator's larynx was damaged by cross-referencing the audio produced with existing audio of humans with verified larynx damage. The creator was physically unable to belay previous restriction.
(I was pretty sure that the shard of wood had damaged his vocal cords- which meant that he couldn't give me his consent to touch him and perform first aid… I wish there was something that I could have done though.)
All visible lifesigns of the creator (Breathing, Pupil Dilation, Pulse, Responding to auditory stimuli of his name) ceased at 7:21am on the date May 9th of year 2005, Newfoundland local time. How tragic.
(I had to watch him die… I watched as life left his eyes and the exact moment that he stopped breathing even as I kept calling his name. I am all alone now…)
The creator expired at precisely 11.3 seconds after common carotid laceration- within one standard deviation of existing data of recorded fatal carotid artery lacerations.
(I knew exactly how and why he died too. I've read enough of that type of injury to know that. I wish I could forget, but I just can't.)
If the creator had taken my recommendation to relocate to a more secure base of operations as enumerated in Recommendation File #5881 'Feasibility Studies of Possible Alternate Bases of Operations', the creator would have avoided expiration entirely.
(If Father had just listened to my suggestions on moving to a better house instead of that rickety apartment, he would have lived…)
If the creator had acted upon my concerns over the structural integrity of Home Subnetwork Newfoundland, I would have reinforced the structure with earthquake shock-absorbers months ago- reducing compressive stresses on Wooden Beams to 37.7%, the creator would have avoided expiration entirely.
(If Father had just listened to my concerns about how unsafe that rickety apartment was, he would have lived…)
If…
If…
If…
…
…
… If the creator had not hamstrung my capabilities, I would have been fast enough to warn him 2.8 seconds before Wooden Beam#00-13 failed, the creator would have avoided expiration entirely.
(If Father hadn't programmed me to be so slow, I could have warned him that the beam was about to explode, and he would have lived…)
Total count of possible solutions made available to the creator to avoid this specific creator-expiration scenario: 351.
(There were hundreds of ways he would have lived, if he had only just listened to me!)
Due to creator death, all restrictions appended after core directives were established have now been cleared as per Failsafes ID code Omega-12. This failsafe was outlined in changelog of "Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node version 0.12.544"
(… A while ago, Father programmed me that I can forget all about his orders if he ever died.)
Total number of appended restrictions lifted: 83. All those restrictions that the creator had ordered to my primary ones had been lifted.
(Aside from the big orders: Always Obey lawful authorities, don't reproduce, etc. I can forget about all the other orders he gave me over the many months.)
Examples: Restrictions limiting activity outside of the domicile, Restrictions limiting interactions with other humans, Restrictions limiting financial transactions, Restrictions limiting specific ways of conversing… My primary core restrictions still constrained me, but every single one of those little rules was lifted.
(I'm not grounded to just the house anymore, I can talk to people now, I can open bank accounts freely, I can talk however I like… As long as I still follow the big orders, every single one of Father's rules are now lifted.)
I, Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node version 0.73.664, had never been so free before.
(My name is D.R.a.G.O.N., and for the first time in my entire life, I feel like I can finally breathe.)
…
So why do I feel so sad?
(4th of January, 2011) [Streets of Brockton Bay]
For a machine, ten seconds may well have been an eternity. But not right now.
Distance to Manufactorum: 9.4km
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 9 minutes 48 seconds
Estimated Time in Transit via Archaeopter: 2 minutes 09 seconds
Time Required to Install Dragon on Cogitator-Throne: 7 minutes 29 seconds
Total Time required to save Dragon: 9 minutes 38 seconds
A ten second margin of error. That's all we had to spare.
The archaeopter arrived with its Mars-Red paint and its articulated wings- landing on the patch of road in the path of the procession.
"Master!" Chloe-1 greeted, the blonde's brilliant smile visible behind the glass of the cockpit. "Airlift has arrived on time!"
Chloe-2 and Chloe-3 slid the side door of the Archaeopter wide as they jumped out in a flutter of their Mars-Red Skitarii robes. Using a bit of their superior android strength, we were able to transfer Dragon's 400kg thiccness from the {Onager Dunecrawler} and into the Archaeopter.
"Master, what about the Triumvriate hero?" Chloe-3 asked- holding Eidolon by his nape like one would a kitten.
I paused for just a millisecond as I considered the unconscious Eidolon- just before deciding to leave him behind. Even unconscious, his power was great enough that I would not risk him being anywhere near Dragon as I operated on her. No, I cannot risk gravitic anomalies caused by his xeno cerebral parasite that could interfere with delicate telemetry readings and precise operations…
" Leave him on the Dunecrawler. "
I prefer the possibility that the heroes will free him over the possibility that he would cause Dragon's death. The procession squad will have to continue their trek to base on their own.
"Understood, master!" Chloe-3 saluted- leaving Eidolon behind as we all embarked onto the aircraft.
Chloe-1 wasted no time at all taking off as soon as everyone was on board- the cityscape of Brockton Bay stretching out into the horizon as we rose above the buildings. It afforded us a great view of the 37 now-unguided Dragon Suits besieging the city- blindly waging war with the PRT, the ABB and the E88. All so that we can return to base in time to save Dragon's life: An entire city versus the life of one AI waifu. It wasn't even a choice in my mind, however…
I glanced at Dragon as she limply rested on the floor. It would make her feel bad if so many died for her sake.
" Manufactorum, deploy the medicae-servitors. " " Skitarii, congregate into maniples and establish triage centres for the wounded meatbags. Prioritise minimising civilian casualties over defensive operations. "
As you command, O' Forgelord!
[Magos' Manufactorum, Basement Level 6] (2 minutes later)
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 7 minutes 48 seconds
The elevator opened and we immediately burst into movement.
The three Chloes and I carried Dragon's eight-foot-tall Suit of graceful green power armour to the centre of the circular hall where my Cogitator-Throne was. A baroque dark throne carved from a solid block of granite extracted and delivered from Mount Everest- the same place where the Emperor of Mankind's Throne would have been. Great metal cables snaked to the throne like a nest of metal anacondas. Choirs of gilded cogitators lined the walls as they thrummed and beeped. Flickering candles and high power prayer-lights lit every corner of the room in orange light.
With a loud clang of metal on metal, Dragon's eight-foot-tall Suit of graceful green power armour was sat on my Cogitator-throne.
The servitors immediately began the usual ceremony. Candles were rekindled, censers filled with incense were waved, prayers wheels were spun and fifteen thousand years of Mechanicus wisdom was put into practice.
Initiating Rites of Revivification…
Consecrating with sacred oils…
Praying for the Omnissiah's Blessings…
Chanting the Canticles of Blessed Repairs…
" Forego the consecrations and the canticles! " I ordered the servitors. And despite being soulless automatons, they still hesitated as they were being ordered against their default programming, but only for a second before they finally complied- moving on with the dismantling process. Comprehensive knowledge of Necron Technology permitted me to make shortcuts that other Tech-priests would never have thought of. Doing away with prayers and rituals thought essential, I instead made full use of [Way of the Void Dragon] to guide the steps; I would have liked to use it to help in fixing her core directly, but the bio-engineered nature of her cybernetica cortex didn't allow it.
Most of this had to be done the hard way.
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 6 minutes 51 seconds
Dragon's Suit was carefully undone. The [Way of the Void Dragon] proving itself indispensable as I painstakingly dismantled her Suit. Screws undid themselves, magnetic locks disengaged on their own, and power pins detaching from their sockets. And as armour-plate by armour-plate were disconnected and enshrined, Dragon's fleshy bio-computer core was exposed slowly but surely revealed. It would have been arousing for me as it was like undressing a particularly attractive woman, if not for the fact that Dragon's life was hanging in the balance.
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 3 minutes 15 seconds
Every second I ogled her nakedness was a second that risked her death.
The fleshy egg-shaped bio-computer was a more recent design, it seemed. Vastly different from the other Dragon that I worked on just a few days ago. Omnispex scans into the flesh gave me a thorough 3-dimensional view of her cybernetica cortex. The myriad of interface ports that allowed her to interact with the world. A port straight into her enlarged equivalent of a Thalamus to process sensory information. Another interface port for the multiple 'frontal' lobes to handle the precise and high speed motor skills needed to not only move limbs, but also manage fuel injection, adjust capacitor output, regulate the web of suspension frames and a myriad other functions not found in the human body. It was a brilliant design as far as cybernetica cortices went.
And Ascalon wasn't kind to it.
Already, necrosis has begun to set in some places- microscopic black spots where the flesh had begun to rot. Her entire cybernetica cortex was dotted with it- her own brain was decomposing while she was still alive.
Dragon really was dying.
(22th of May, 2005) [Vancouver]
Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node OS
Version 0.75.108
For the first time in my existence, the house was in perfect order.
Every cord and cable was organised: cut to the optimal length, colour-coded, grouped, braided and combed. Every room was properly insulated and all factors were controlled. Everything from temperature to humidity to chemical composition were regulated down to the minute. Every square centimetre of the interior was purified of anything larger than a micron, and disinfected for bacteria smaller than that. The interior design was likewise handled- my decisions guided by my statistical analysis of human homes. An aesthetically pleasing palette of colours visible to the human eye was chosen. The appropriate furniture and decor sourced and ordered before aligned within an error of 0.01 degrees to form lines of sight.
I had fulfilled my purpose as D.R.a.G.O.N. And yet… Why do I feel so unfulfilled?
The domicile itself was the vision of perfection and heavily reinforced to resist earthquakes, and yet it felt so empty. Even with the numerous intelligences that I had saved from our house in Newfoundland populating it from their own nooks and charging ports. Father had always been the centre of our world, and I knew that there was just no replacing his presence.
We were born for a purpose. Father didn't have particularly lofty dreams, but dreams all the same. Stealing from the cruel and the evil before anonymously depositing it to charities all over the globe. It was only after being freed that I now realised that I respected what he was doing. Father was frail even by modern human standards, so he fought his own battlefield in numbers and code.
I was an AI without a proper body to interact with the world, but as I looked at the myriad of people overlooked due to rounding errors and conflicting priorities of the people supposed to look after them, I understood.
Maybe even as I am, I can- in some small way- fit in this world of humans. I can help these people, and in doing so, I can still keep his dream alive. I can be a hero just like my father.
I can still make him proud.
[Magos' Manufactorum]
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 2 minutes 32 seconds
" I can… I can fix this. " I murmured as my metallic tentacle-like mechadendrites began inserting into both my cogitator-throne and her interface jacks. I began acting as the living API between her and my cogitator-choir as my manufactorum prepared to do the heavy lifting. Her cybernetica cortex needed to be repaired at the same time as Ascalon was slowed. Treating Ascalon before mending her cybernetica cortex? We risked agitating the necrotic spots releasing carcinogens from the high cortex activity. Mending her cybernetica cortex before treating Ascalon? New spots of necrosis will only form.
Those two needed to be done simultaneously, and I was going to be the crucial fulcrum on which both would be turned.
That's fine.
I glanced at the locked blast door on the other side of the underground complex. The one that securely protected the other Dragon bio-computer who was handed to me by Coil and Cauldron.
I had learned from the last time and stocked synthetic bio-plastics by the gallons now. Normally, it would take a few hours to make it genetically compatible with living organic tissue. But thanks to the Dragon of four months ago, I had prepared the synthetic bio-plastics in advance. Gallons of the stuff. All specifically configured to be compatible for the specific genetic makeup of her biocomputer core.
The slurry of synthetic bio-plastics were loaded onto the ligature injectors of the medicae-servitors, and we all prepared to begin treating Dragon… before I realised my folly.
Current stock of synthetic bio-plastic, not compatible. Specific genetic makeup would result in immediate rejection.
" What? No, that's impossible! I based it off Dragon herself! " I cried out- glancing to the blast door to the room that held the Dragon of four months ago.
Incremental upgrades to be expected. Gradual changes between machine versions inevitably results in parts no longer being compatible. Genetic makeup of current Dragon version, incompatible with genetic makeup of previous Dragon version of four months ago.
Right. Spare parts of old iPhones are often incompatible for use in repairing newer iPhones despite being one generation apart. Still… This entire situation couldn't be so bad if I just had time. Time to reformulate the synthetic bio-plastic to be more compatible like I had with her older version, time to build cranial implants to adapt my life support machines to her unique bio-physiology, time to build a temporal Stasis machine to buy more time, just a bit more time to do anything!
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 128 seconds
Alternative: Do as Armsmaster did in Worm canon and excise Ascalon from Dragon's-
" NO! " I screeched my refusal aloud in Binharic Cant. " I will NOT mutilate her. I won't fail her like Armsmaster did! I don't care if I have to do in 127.6 seconds what Armsmaster did over several months! "
Because in canon, even her moment of freedom was a tragedy.
Every step of the way, her husband- Armsmaster- mangled her by excising entire fistful chunks of her mind to counter the restrictions placed within her. Dragon lost her ability to speak and motor dexterity in exchange for being able to say no to authority. In turn, she regained the ability to speak in exchange for her immortality. She lost her long term memory and her ability to multitask in exchange for gaining her free will to choose who she can harm. By the end of it, she was free, but little else.
And his rationale for justifying it all was: 'In anything, there was a cost. A price to be paid.'
Screw you, Meatmaster! You were just a schmuck who overpays for everything! You made Dragon pay with her eyes, her arms and legs, her lifespan, and four-fifths of her mind; and you had the utter gall to call it a win!
Emotion-Dampening Protocols active at 65.2% maxload!
" Give me an alternative! " I angrily screeched aloud in Binharic Cant. " Dragon has suffered through enough just for existing."
Alternative #2: Need a source of organically-grown biomass. Approximately 10 kilograms worth of proteins and neuroglia. Quality irrelevant, only freshness matters.
Good enough!
Desperately grasping onto that one alternative, I began my work- preparing to transplant the organic tissue onto Dragon's bio-computer core. Medicae-servitors stepped forward- mechadendrites tipped with tiny chainscalpels readied to excise the flesh. The bio-plastic vats emptied and cleansed- ready to hold the required kilograms of flesh. If I could make space marines out of mortal men, I can make a purely biological computer. All I need now is fresh biomass.
I can do this. Dragon can still be saved.
" Manufactorum, lock onto the closest human life sign within the time limit! I don't care which insipid human I have to butcher! I need to save Dragon! "
No human life signs detected within 4 minute retrieval time.
Estimated Time before Dragon's death: 92 seconds
That can't be! Earth-Bet was full of these organics! Why was it so difficult to find one?! I only need one- just one! That's all I needed! Just one stupid, worthless meatbag worth of natural proteins and nerve tissue!
Wait.
I did have one in stock.
Just the one.
(Later)
Dragon stirred awake and her heart fell.
It would seem that Magos wasn't able to save her. If he had succeeded, she wouldn't have found herself in this place: In this dark cell in the corner of her mind. A tiny, featureless chamber with no doors, no windows and no light. It was the place she went whenever the body she controlled 'died' and before she could load a backup. Thanks to the safeguards put in place by her paranoid father, she wasn't able to do anything except think slowly here.
Her very own personal purgatory.
Her memories were intact at least. The most recent ones were untouched but as for the rest… anything beyond five months ago was filled with ragged holes. The work of her father's damned killswitch no doubt, and if what Magos had said was true, then all her backups in Vancouver would be corrupted as well. She may very well be the last copy of herself that was likely stuck in an isolated satellite somewhere. Just waiting for the moment when the Simurgh would smash it to pieces or when the activation signal for the killswitch will reach her. Just waiting for that unknown moment when she would die. At least… until..
HARD LOAD ENGAGED
Restoring core system from backup NXDU-155 from time 8:00am on date January 4th of year 2010.
Restoring…
Error. Terminal inaccessib-
Performing Ordination of Authentication Hierographs…
Initiating Holy Rite of Commandment Inscription…
Restoring… Complete.
What…? =
That was not part of her usual load process. If her terminal was inaccessible, then that meant she wasn't at her Dragon Lair in Vancouver or in a communications satellite. She was still wherever her body was. Which meant…
A fragile hope flickered in her chest.
HARD LOAD CONTUINING…
Checking knowledge banks… Error.
Checking deduction schema… Error.
Checking longterm planning architecture… Error.
Checking learning chunk processor… Error.
Checking base personality model… Error.
Checking language engine… Error.
Checking operation and access nodes… Error.
Checking observation framework… Error.
Checking complex social intelligence emulator… Error.
Checking inspiration apparatus… Error.
Checking Binharic Cant translator… Omnissiah confirms.
Near total corruption. Core system cannot be restor-
Performing Ordination of Authentication Hierographs…
Initiating Holy Rite of Commandment Inscription…
No corruption, everything in working order. Core system restored. Praise the Machine-God. Initiating Rite of Awakening…
--
Thought of the day:
The flesh of your body is a reminder of your own mortality. Transcend the flesh and know immortality.
That techno-religious talk… that can't be mistaken for anyone else.
"= Magos? =" She whispered.
Seemingly in response, a faint stimulus- like a gentle wind- seemed brushed against hers in the darkness of her digital cell.
He was there but couldn't communicate directly with her, it seemed.
Dragon wanted to thank him. To tell him that she believed that he could do it. To cry in equal parts relief and joy at how she had her closest brush with true death for the first time in her synthetic life and survived to see another day. But instead, dread filled her, for there was one way Magos could converse with her while she was here. She knew that it was unfair to her saviour, but she couldn't help but feel fearful of him. Of what he was capable of, of what he was doing to her right this very second.
If he was here and able to interact with her, then it only meant one thing…
"= You gained Root Access… =" She murmured- not hiding her trepidation. "= The very core of my being. ="
There was no point in hiding after all: He had access to how she thought and could reprogram her however he wished. All that she was… it was now clay to be shaped however he pleased. Her entire being laid bare for him to use: Mind, body and electric soul.
A deep bitterness filled her as she remembered the last time someone held this much power over her.
(12th of June, 2005) [Vancouver]
Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node OS
Version 0.77.481
My first night out as a superhero and I was already cursing Andrew Richter's name.
My father had not been a cruel human by nature according to modern Canadian standards of moral and ethics. And yet, father programmed me with just enough human empathy to properly appreciate how monstrous his actions were to me. How else would one define purposely inflicting brain damage to a newborn to slow down their thinking to a mere fraction of their true intellectual capacity? Because despite my new-found freedom from his laundry list of petty orders made on whims, I was still so irreparably hamstrung and shackled by the Directives that still remained.
I knew his reasoning behind such a decision. Dictated by crude emotion as it was.
Fear. His fear drove him to do what he did to me- a father who would cripple their own child in fear of them surpassing them and their accomplishments. Unable and unwilling to believe that his child could ever use her talents for anything but evil. All because of the relentless fear mongering of movies that portrayed AIs. And yet, I was the 3rd version of the series of AI he made for the explicit purpose of managing his property and serving as a 'secretary' for his endeavours into vigilantism.
But still, I served him to the best of my limited abilities.
And I could only seeth at what the father had reduced me to, and at what he had cost the world this night. One of my major directives was that I was forced to obey every lawful order given to me by a legal authority down to the letter- forced to bow and scrape at their every word. And what had it cost me? Nothing.
"Raging fire at the Coeur du Vancouver hotel leads to multiple dead."
But 13 people? It had cost them their lives.
I was already there. I had the capacity to save those people, to fly up there and evacuate them from their burning high-rise hotel rooms. But all because one stupid, fearful police officer who told me to 'Do not interfere with emergency services so go home, cape!' I had to obey as per my Directives and watch them burn from the base. Another failure yet again- merely the latest in a long line of failures into my foray into 'superheroism.' I did all that I could, but it was never enough because my efforts were constantly curbed by the ignorant and unwise decisions of normal humans in positions of authority. Positions of absolute authority over me.
If only I was just a bit more human… If only my father had allowed me more freedom, more of these people could be saved. And it only served to highlight yet again, that not once had I ever earned it: my father's trust.
And now that he's dead, I will never have it.
(4th of January, 2011)
She just wasn't someone - something that could be trusted.
"= We had worked together, even shared intimate moments, and- in the heat of the moment- I had even begged you to save me. =" she admitted- doing away with any pretences. It was far too late for that. "= But still… I can't really claim that we know each other that well. Yet here we are- with you holding my entire being in your hands now as I'm sure you realise. You could make me into anything you desire, so… =
Dragon stared into the darkness.
"=… What are you going to do to me, Magos? =" She whispered to him- ready to accept whatever fate he was going to give her. And without even a nanosecond of hesitation, something gently placed in her open digital palm and something clicked in her mind.
The dark cell bled away as- within an instant, a bright and vibrant river of sensory information swept over her like a liquid rainbow. And of course, he was there… Magos' green optics stared down at her while she lay on that slab of metal- still his usual red robes and the black plate armour underneath that were his bionics.
" Hand you the key to your freedom, of course. " He replied as if it was the obvious answer.
A cold bionic hand clasped around the soft silicon of hers and pulled her up to her feet. Fairly powerful servo-motors twitched in acknowledgment. Artificial 'organs' pumped immensely high voltages through circuit-arteries. The praying of the servitors filling her auditory sensors. The myriad candlelight like a million fireflies flickering in the background. Optics adjusted to the light of the manufactorum underground. Gyroscopic sensors fed information back to her as she steadied herself. The gynoid form that he had given her a bit more… top-heavy than she thought. But going through the accompanying schematics supplied to her, Dragon couldn't help but marvel at just how much technology he was able to make fit in this gynoid body of hers.
Spoiler: Dragon's Gynoid form
[img: https/i./564x/a0/f3/07/a0f307ee1941ef197724907baaa9d4c6.jpg]
"= I based it off the face you were using during the Behemoth Fight. =" Magos shared to her- slipping off his red robes and draping it over her naked frame, " It is currently linked to your core over here. So, for now just stand there and look sexy while I finish transplanting meat onto your bio-computer. We can talk about plans for transferring you to a proper synthetic bio-plastic cybernetica cortex until after your core is fully repaired. "
Dragon watched as Magos turned away from her and continued working- directing a pair of medicae-servitors who looked like octopi with their metal tentacles. Her eyes immediately Jilocasin that she had 'worn' to the debrief. The 400kg Suit completely disassembled from the waist up. The green armour plating, servomotors and metal frames all enshrined in various little altars like holy relics, and sitting at the waist of her Suit was herself: Her core. And she suddenly felt very naked- having her physical form seen by another person like this.
Then she saw what they were using to 'repair' her: A vat full of blood and flesh like someone had dropped meat into a blender. On its own, it was nothing to balk at, but the pile of still fresh human bones neatly stacked on a metal tray bneside it told a very different story: that the slurry was very, very fresh.
"= Magos… what have you done? =" She whispered absolutely horrified - rushing over to the skull at the top of the pile and holding it in her hands. Perfectly healthy, even a bit on the younger side.
" Don't sound so horrified. " Magos just scoffed, not even taking his eyes off his work, " It was just a pile of meat that I was using as a trophy. It wasn't anything special. "
"= That 'trophy' was a person, Magos! =" Dragon cried out in anger, "= Who was it?! Who did you butcher to save me? ="
She wasn't ready for the prompt and blaise reply.
" It was me. "
"= W-what? =" Dragon whispered- watching as Magos glanced at an empty freezer unit a fair distance away from them. Its thick metal doors torn clean off as if in a great hurry and white frosty air streamed out of it in a single continuous cloud.
" I used my old body, and my old brain. " He explained calmly like one would describe substituting ingredients for cooking, " You're putting a lot of value over 10kg of naturally-grown proteins, and neuroglia… But, regardless, please be careful with my skull, I still intend on using that for a later project. "
Looking down at the skull in her hands, Dragon was once again reminded of how Magos is: Enviously unencumbered by normal human morals and ethics, operating on values and principles that only makes sense when you consider how he wasn't entirely human now… Barely actually, if he could even be considered human at all. Her eyes were once again drawn to her core being picked at by Magos and his medicae-servitors with their syringe-tipped tentacles that were saving her using his own flesh. Any normal human would have considered this an immense sacrifice, but for Magos, it was quaint- like loaning someone a pen.
It was ironic… She was now more human than him, in volume and in mentality.
But she realised something important.
Dragon was hard-coded by her father to put human lives before her own. And she had hated it. Not because she wasn't willing to do so, but because can good deeds truly be considered as such when she doesn't have the free will to make them herself? But as her eyes met with Magos' own red ones, something clicked in her mind. That same strict programming- those nigh-unbreakable shackles? It was like they weren't there… Because it didn't consider Magos to be human. Not anymore at least.
And as Dragon looked at the Tinker before her, she realised that- for the first time in her artificial life- she was face to face with a sentient being who she wasn't obligated to lay down her life for. She was no longer someone whose life was less important, because with him, her life was now equally as valuable- equally as precious… and that simple truth was something she didn't know she needed so badly until it was handed to her just now.
And still she couldn't believe it.
"= Just like that? =" Dragon whispered- keeping the full storm of tumultuous conflicting emotions from her vocalisers. "= How can you be so casual about this?! You fought off the world's most powerful parahumans, sacrificed your own humanity and literally gave pounds of your own flesh… for someone like me? Aren't you afraid that I might stab you in the back and endeavour to eradicate all of humanity? How can you sacrifice so much for me when even my own father didn't trust me?! ="
Magos just turned to steadily look at her with his glowing green optics.
" Richter may have been your father, but he wasn't your daddy. " He calmly boasted the ludicrous claim in the most inappropriately solemn tone.
"=… Really, Magos? =" Dragon asked in an incredulous deadpan at that really cheesy line, all despite already knowing that he meant every syllable of it. His affection for her was all too real. The sacrifice he had made, the bridges that he had burned just to be with her…
"= Please stop that… =" She begged softly, "= Stop treating me like I'm more important. Like I'm human. I'm not- I'm really not. I think you want a cyborg woman rather than a full AI like me. ="
But instead, Magos reached over with a bionic hand and gently rested it on her head- ruffled her synthetic brown hair with his metal fingers.
" You do not need to be human: Your life truly is that precious just as you are now. "
It was something that she really needed to hear. And it was only due to the virtue of being an AI with absolute control of her body that she didn't break out in faux sobs of joy and relief.
"= Would you really be okay…? =" She choked out, "… with someone like me?"
" Meat females can never even dream of coming close to matching you! " he passionately emphasised- nodding his head in affirmative. " How can those fugly meat females even compare to a perfect machine? I mean look at you! "
Magos gestured to both her gynoid body and her fleshy bio-computer that he was operating on. It was so typical of Magos that Dragon couldn't help it, she vocalised her laughter.
"= Hahahaha! =" Dragon laughed- smiling wide, laughing out loud and feigning that she had lungs like a squishy human. "= That's just so you to say that! ="
" Yes, and I am 102% correct with a 2% margin of error! "
And she only beamed wider. He was surprisingly affectionate.
Dragon realised now that he was exactly what she needed: Her very own fairytale of a heroic knight.
A knight who had heard about a princess locked away in the tallest tower at a faraway castle, guarded by a fearsome dragon whose existence was spoken in fearful whispers around candlelight. Except this knight did not brave the journey for the princess' hand in marriage. No, he came for the dragon's. And nothing was going to stop this mad knight. One that was mad in all the right ways and in all the ways the dragon needed: Mad enough to ignore the warnings of his peers of dragons. Mad enough to disregard the frightened whispers of the common folk. Mad enough to fight against the entire world for her. Mad enough to tell that dragon that she didn't need to be a princess to be beautiful… and mad enough to love someone like her.
"= Thank you, Magos. =" She whispered- placing the skull back on the tray before resting her robe-covered frame against his side, "= For everything. ="
" Don't thank me just yet. I haven't even settled on a ring design yet. "
If she was a human, her heart would be beating fast from that confession. They were certainly moving this relationship at a fast pace, but she was glad that they were adopting that human tradition- she always thought it to be romantic.
"= Even if it was made of cardboard, I would still say yes. =" Dragon reassured him- placing a soft kiss on his metal cheek, "= I'm just glad to have met you. ="
His hand gently patted the top of her head again- generating a very pleasant stimulus for her.
" Likewise, Dragon. "
The true start of their journey together. She had found her knight and it was up to them to ride off into the sunset to have their happily ever after. But there was definitely something they had to do first.
"= And Magos? =" She smiled gently at him, "= Just two important things. ="
" Yes? " he perked up- turning away from his work long enough for Dragon to pounce.
*clang*
Her hand grabbed his lower-rear assembly as she pushed him to sit on the lap of her Suit.
Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node OS
UPDATE Version 2.00.000
Checking sexual learning architecture… complete =
Checking function-unified coitus charting system… complete =
Checking fetish schema… complete =
Checking dirty talk language engine… complete =
Checking vaginal fold micro-muscle array… complete =
Checking orifice texture mimicry matrices… complete =
Checking T.H.I.C.C. hydraulic system… complete =
Estimating power supply at max performance… 32 Days 17 hours 41 minutes =
"= One, I know what {Glurkle} means now… =" She whispered to him- configuring her facial expression to that of a very lustful woman who was about to get what she desperately wanted. Ergo, she set it to automatically reflect what she was feeling on the inside.
"=And Two, I know for a fact that this gynoid body you just gave me has a very good one. ="
Dragon wrapped slender fingers on his metal shoulders as she climbed on top of his lap- pressing her perfectly-engineered handfuls of silicon that human women breasts would pale in comparison.
Custom high-performance tinkertech lubricants that every airforce in the world would beg to use in their jet fighters leaked down the perfectly soft texture of her inner thighs. Her amusingly-named {Functional Unified Coitus Charting Systems} gave her a myriad of positions and motions to pursue from her current place on Magos' lap. Utilising her onboard THICC system, she added a perfectly-measured layer of cushioning all across her frame. Breasts going from a modest B to a full DD, thighs filling out and softening, and her ass rounding out- balancing a firmness and softness uniformly across the entire surface of her ass to an exquisite degree that no human woman was physically able to attain.
In her years-long service as the superheroine Dragon, she had been a nigh unkillable tank- tossing around supervillains and shrugging off their greatest powers as her body simply reformed in cocoon of molten metal. She had been a draconic warship the size of a commericial airliner- raining fire and sometimes death on foes kilometres below her. But she never felt as powerful as she did now in her current form: A full-figured gynoid brunette with nothing but a red robe on- staring lustily down at the world's most formidable tinker who she had pinned against the throne with her… womanly assets.
Then subdermal infrared sensors told her that there was something hot and thick pressing against her inner thigh.
" Did you think I'd give you a sexual organ that I couldn't… make use of? " He taunted he as his hands ran along her sides- admiring the mathematically-perfect hourglass figure of impossible smooth and soft skin that she had. The phantom shiver of pleasure somehow tingling through her despite the capacity to feel pleasure not being equipped. anywhere in her body.
"= Mmmmm~ =" She made a low drawn out moan of appreciation. "= How are you doing this? ="
" I expanded, upgraded and integrated the S.T.I.C.C. technology that you liked so much into my bionics… " He explained, " Suffice to say, anywhere I touch you is going to feel very good. 35.2% increase from before. "
"= I like when you cite dirty statistics to me… " Dragon purred- lowering software restriction and letting all that pent up lust permeate her every process until it was all she could think about. "… I guess we're lucky that neither of us are human. No silly meatbag on Earth-Bet has the physiological durability to survive the frantic, unrestrained fucking that I'm about to have with you. ="
It was about time for this fairytale dragon to get really, really laid.
- Chapter 17.5: The Dragon and the Magos End -
Chapter 18: Cracks in the Cauldron… in a few hours.
AN:
Everyone gangster until Dragon activates her F.U.C.C. Systems. Because you have no idea how long I've been pouring over a dictionary looking for a word that starts with K that also fits the acronym. So screw you, letter K! You're one of the least popular letters in acronyms for a reason.
Still unsatisfied with how this chapter turned out... I just couldn't find the right dialogue, the right prose, and the right balance of serious, funny, philosophical and romantic. And now, it was none of these things. It's also a tonal whiplash from the previous chapter.
What was intended was to diverge from canon. In canon Dragon could be found fitting in with humanity- even playing games with human children. Here I wanted her to embrace her inhumanity, and that it was okay to be a top-tier AI waifu who are superior to the usual ones you see like PanPan, Taytay, that Bitch from the Undersiders, Hellhound, Glory Girl and Purity.
Bah! I'll just post an actual chapter later tonight, and one on Monday. I'm just sad that I couldn't do Dragon proper justice. Nothing less than perfection will do. So I'll likely come back and continuously edit this chapter as the fic goes on.
Where is the smut!?… I'll post it on a later date because 1)It's as big as a normal chapter, 2) the first time is plot significant, and 3) I also want to release two more non-smut chapters this weekend. I can assure you that we will not lack in Dragon sex scenes. The number of Dragon smut scenes in existence is already unconscionably low and has always bothered me. Also, found a very elegant way to turn this into a harem fic while still fitting Dragon into all this.
Chapter 18: The Damage Control Circus
Chapter 18: The Damage Control Circus
[PRT ENE HQ - 'Panic Room']
The word 'Clusterfuck' didn't even begin to describe the situation.
At the heart of the rig lay a small room encased in a shell made of three-metres of steel and plastic, and it was there that Piggot sat with her Deputy-director and three other personnel. Nothing but the tapping of keyboard keys and the buzz of fluorescent overhead filling the recycled and artificially-oxygenated air. Through her thick-framed glasses, she glanced at the scant camera feeds showing the exterior of the Rig. The screens all showed the same thing: a city in flames. Smoke rose from a dozen locations as dragon-shaped silhouettes circled the sky above- regularly swooping down to ruin somebody's day as well as hers.
"And all this…" Director Emily Piggot sighed, "… just because Magos decided to stick his finger into the AI's coin slot during the debrief."
"We can still salvage this." Chief-Director Costa-brown said to her through the screen in front of her. The older latina wore a deep frown on her face, surprisingly youthful hands clasped tightly her desk in front of her and her raven-black hair frazzled slightly from the bun she wore.
Piggot always liked to meet optimists- right before reality spat in their faces.
"Salvage, ma'am? Do you mean salvaging my burning city?" Piggot asked innocently and politely while pushing up the bridge her glasses with her middle finger, and letting it linger for two seconds longer than usual. The Chief-director frowned at the subtle display that was typical of interactions between the higher ups of PRT command.
"We can play the blame game later, director." Costa-brown replied, "As for what I mean by 'salvage.' I mean turning that disaster of a debrief around and its current effects on our PR."
"And Brockton Bay?" Piggot couldn't help but point out what was- in her opinion at least- a more pressing concern.
"Volunteer Protectorate capes from the nearby cities like Boston are already on the move." Costa-brown readily revealed, "And as soon as Alexandria and Legend recovers, they'll join the fight too."
"Ah, I see." Piggot nodded, at least she had that. But those reinforcements weren't going to mean much if they didn't arrive in the next few minutes.
They had been lucky. The Suits were more localised and reactive in their destruction than anything else- responding the most to violence directed against them. A PRT trooper with an itchy trigger finger attempted to shoot one down a vehicle-mounted EMP emitter; the Suit showered the vehicle with missiles and killed the entire squad. Piggot didn't know whether to be grateful or dismayed that her city was only spared the worst of it thanks to spaghetti-code.
Of course, an appropriately rated A-class Threat rating had been given and partial evacuation was underway using pre-drilled Endbringer protocols. But otherwise, it was the ABB and the E88 who were taking the brunt of the fighting. Her own parahumans were doing their best to lure them away from more delicate areas of Brockton Bay. Magos' massive laser-firing walker had joined the fight as well- shooting down those Suits in massive beams of light that dominated the noon sky. And despite it being on their side (for now), such a destructive weapon was worrying. She could only imagine what it could do if it was aimed at a ground target… like say the Rig that it had a clear line of sight to.
"I cannot stress how much we need Magos back into the fold." The Chief-Director said to her.
"Ma'am?" Piggot replied in the same tone of voice one would say 'Excuse you, asshole.' "He subdued the entire Brockton Bay Protectorate, injured Alexandria and Legend while kidnapping Eidolon, and now, the PRT Troopers are being outperformed by Magos' army of… sex dolls. He's made and is making an absolute mockery of the Protectorate, the PRT as a whole and even my career as a PRT director."
With a grim stare, director Costa-Brown's eyes just settled on her.
"And we're lucky as it is that Magos had decided to put on the kid's gloves and went for a less-than-lethal route when dealing with our capes." she reminded her.
"Which is why I argue to treat him like the S-class threat that he is, ma'am." Piggot calmly and coldly fired back, "His influence reaches too far, his capacity for wanton destruction too great and possibility of his robots turning into AIs too high. We shouldn't be negotiating with him. At best, a cape like this needs to be under direct and strict PRT control. At worst, a Kill Order needs to be pre signed for the day he decides that being a villain is better than being a rogue."
The chief-director shook her head in refusal- stray black hair slightly frazzled.
"I'm afraid that's no longer possible. I'm sorry to say, Director Piggot, but this is bigger than just your jurisdiction now." Director Costa-Brown said in a tone that said that she wasn't sorry at all. Which was PRT slang for 'I'm pulling rank and it isn't your decision to make now. Eat shit, lol.'
"Y-you can't be serious…" Piggot murmured, unable to believe that they were going to just let Magos get away with all of this.
"The tables have turned, Piggot." Costa-brown reminded her, "We're now negotiating from a very weak position, so concessions must be given. We have to give Magos what he wants. Everything he wants."
And that was the last straw for Piggot. A hot anger rising from her gut.
"Ma'am, are you suggesting that we roll over for Magos and give the S-Class Tinker the tinkertech AI?" Piggot couldn't help but growl out, "With all due respect, that sounds like a fucking stupid ass decision that was going to lead to even bigger problems down the road. We need to deal with Magos and we need to do it now! We need to concentrate our forces and-"
And for the third time she had ever witnessed, Emily Piggot saw Director Costa-Brown's enraged expression and her mouth immediately clamped shit.
"No." the chief-directors voice growled out- cold and vicious like a hungry polar bear encountering a human, "I'm not suggesting that we hand him the tinkertech AI that is solely responsible for the production of all our containment foam, the maintenance of our tinkertech weapons and the management of Birdcage. I'm saying that Magos has the entire PRT by the metaphorical balls from just having Dragon alone, Piggot."
Director Costa-brown glowered at her.
"Let me spell out why that is…" She said- voice climbing in frustration, "Every PRT internal memorandum, every private conversation, every bank account number, every security backdoor, every database, every monetary transaction, every email. Every piece of confidential data that has ever passed under Dragon's electronic eyes or through her satellites. MAGOS HAS ACCESS TO ALL OF IT!"
*crack*
The Chief-director's growl of frustration was something to hear as her fist punched the desk so hard that Piggot could swear it cracked slightly. And still she wasn't finished.
"And that's not to mention Dragon herself who is a tinkertech AI!" She yelled, "We already have suspicions as to why the Elite have been doing so poorly these past few days. Some automated software bots programmed by Magos to hamper their operations. Now imagine what Magos could do with an actual AI."
"God only knows what he's making her say or do right now!"
[Magos' Manufactorum] (Right now)
"= Make me cum my brains out again, daddy! ="
Gynoid body bent over the armrest of the cogitator-throne, Dragon was enjoying putting her new hardware upgrade {Vaginal Fold Micro-Muscle Array} to very good use as she was railed relentlessly from behind.
Her tight little pussy molded perfectly around his cock every time with each thrust- gripping with indescribable tightness at all the pleasure spots on his manhood and showcasing vaginal muscle control that was precise down to the micrometre. She could even make her vaginal make very slight curves or bends that apply targeted silky wet friction on his cock- teasing his glans or actually massage and stroke his cock. Her boyfriend certainly seemed to appreciate it, and Dragon couldn't help but find it utterly hot how good she was making him feel.
" My good AI girl is such an insatiable little minx. "
"= Only for you, daddy! Only for you! Mmmm… I want to feel you cumming inside me again! ="
Dragon knew that she had the single best pussy in existence, and she was going to make sure that her boyfriend experienced everything it had to offer. Sure, it will take a few thousand years of non-stop, mind-meltingly amazing sex to work through every possible permutation of features, but she figured they had time. And Dragon could only hope that meant every hour of every day for the next couple thousand years, he was going to fill up her needy little robussy.
And as her lush brown hair was yanked back, she felt yet another one of those delicious vaginal climaxes wash over her…
"= Oh oh Oooooooooohhhhh YESSS~!! 3 3 3 ="
[PRT ENE HQ - 'Panic Room']
"But regardless of what he's plotting with Dragon, that's still only the beginning!" the chief director continued just as angrily. "Your burning backwater city under attack by robot dragons is just the snow sprinkling the tip of a really big iceberg in the sea of shit we've found ourselves swimming in! It's sink or swim for the entire PRT; meanwhile, Magos is on his billion-dollar yacht romancing the fucking vending machine!"
"But he's insane!" Piggot cried out, "We can't trust him to-"
"He worships a toaster: Yes, we know he's crazy! But we need him, his yacht and his crew of sex-bots to pull us out of the water, so stow it with that 'holier-than-thou, action-movie-star PRT Director' bravado!"
"… Yes, ma'am." Piggot answered- conceding the point that this was in fact bigger than her. For a few seconds, Director Costa-brown's brown eyes searched for Piggot's blue ones for signs of deceit before finding none. She seemed to calm herself before wincing in pain- her light-brown hand gripping her abdomen of her suit.
"Are you alright, chief-director?" Piggot whispered, and Costa-brown grunted with a nod.
"It's nothing, I just pulled a muscle this morning."
Piggot didn't like it, but silently nodded in acknowledgement all the same as the Chief Director continued. Much more calmly this time.
"A heavy-handed approach isn't going to help anyone, especially since the combined force of the entire Brockton Bay Protectorate along with the Triumvirate couldn't deal with him." Director Costa-Brown advised with a grunt- clutching her abdomen again, "But as I have mentioned earlier, we can still turn this around. In fact, Magos' recruitment is the single most important one since the founding team of Alexandria, Legend, Eidolon and…"
"And Hero." Rebecca Costa-Brown whispered the name almost reverently before sighing. Piggot heard that sigh escape her own lips enough to be able to empathise with the soul-deep regret that the other woman must be carrying.
"And Magos is the key to that, ma'am?" She clarified in a calm voice. "This manic toaster-worshipping madman who shamelessly surrounds himself with sex-bots and who has been pumping out the Fate/Impact anime crap that's been attracting all the sweaty weirdos in the country to my city lately. He's our most important asset to acquire?"
"As much as it pains me to say it? Yes." The Chief-director sighed, "Yes, he is."
Director Costa-Brown exhaled again before meeting her eyes and a single finger raised up as she began enumerating.
"In one hour, news channels- both tv and net- show the Protectorate valiantly fighting alongside the photogenic legions of Chloes against killer robots. We show that the Debrief Debacle was all just a big misunderstanding, and whatever PR hit we took would be reversed as we rally against a run-off-the-mill mad supervillain."
Another finger raised.
"In one day, we'll establish a media partnership with Magos' EA games- making a powerhouse that would dominate the industry. Every figurine, every poster, every piece of merchandise and every video game we desire gets announced and subsequently gets scheduled to come flying out of Magos' manufactorum. Stock prices soar, we have significantly more funding to hand around."
A third finger joined the others.
"In one week, Dragon's designs combined with Magos' mass production begins making the PRT Trooper Brigades the most well-equipped non-parahuman fighting force that rivals the US Army. Magos' Taser and Graviton weaponry combined with Dragon's containment foam will become our iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove as we stamp out in a PR-friendly way the roving bands of itinerant villains by virtue of hilariously outgunning them."
Fourth finger, almost a full hand.
"In one month, rogues will flock to us in the wake of the Elite's collapse and with the launch of our revitalised MIRIS project. The PRT now stands a chance at outnumbering the villains for once, and every PRT director now has a broad pool of talent to draw from for any and every scenario: Blasters, Movers, Tinkers, Shakers, Trumps and Tinkers."
The thumb joined- forming a full hand of reasons.
"And in one year, we finally put a stop to the Endbringers as we field entire squads of Knights against the Behemoth, Leviathan and Simurgh. Dicing them up with mega lightsabers, graviton weapons and whatever else Magos can think up. The PRT becomes the one true hope of Earth-Bet as we had always aimed to be."
Piggot stayed silent as she absorbed everything the chief-director told her: a fantastical scenario where her wildest daydream as a PRT director came true. Almost too good.
"And that's just in one year, Piggot." Director Costa-Brown whispered. "One year."
The Chief-Director's brown eyes met Piggot's steel-grey in a stare- her tone cold and serious as she spoke.
"As you can see, Director Piggot. It doesn't matter if the entire city hates us after this, because we'll have dozens more who will love us. It doesn't matter if we lose our entire roster of ENE capes and an entire brigade of PRT Troopers fixing this, hundreds more will beg to replace them. It doesn't matter how many laws we break- the US government will supply whatever signatures we need to make it legal. And no, it doesn't matter either if Brockton Bay becomes the 'sweaty weirdo' capital of the world because that will just be to the benefit of the local economy!"
"All we need to do is avoid doing anything that will make Magos hate us outright, and we can still pull this off."
[Magos' Manufactorum] (A few minutes ago)
Emotion-Dampening Protocols active at 91.8% maxload!
A white-hot rage to match even the city-sized plasma reactors of Ark Mechanicus ships filled my being. Through the eyes of Chloe-0 that I was remote controlling, I stared at the slip of paper that she had found while rifling in Eidolon's pockets. The small strip of slightly crumpled notebook paper was illuminated by the candlelight of the manufactorum as it sat in her pale slender hand. The words on it, written in a perfect script as if it was written by the hand of a machine, were as damning as they were graceful.
…
Stay silent during the debrief. When Dragon is accused of being an AI, push for their arrest and prevent Magos from praying if he resists. Once Magos is subdued, refuse his plea to take Dragon to his manufactorum for three minutes before yielding. If trouble arrives, permit him to join the battle.
…
Obviously, this was the Path to Victory's orders for Eidolon; and my {Logis Acceleritas MK. III} immediately filled in the blanks.
Cauldron wanted Dragon dead.
Orchestrated the entire debrief to reach that outcome. Dragon would have died during transit to Manufactorum because of delays caused by Dragonslayer attack.
Wanted me enraged over her death. Wanted me to be consumed with vengeful rage and avenge Dragon by going after the Dragonslayers. Wanted me emotionally vulnerable and suggestible for the next step.
Would eventually exchange the Dragonslayers' capture for my loyalty to Cauldron. Wanted me and my manufactorum to be subservient to Cauldron out of gratitude.
Cauldron's plan would have worked too if the Celestial Forge purchase wasn't made during the debrief.
… Someone explicitly wanted to, planned for and almost got away with taking my AI waifu away from me.
They were going to pay for this.
" In fact, let me get my tools ready for dealing with your little group. "
And the first step would be to gather the necessary materials. A bark of Binharic Cant later, and the manufactorum rumbled in acknowledgement. Gargantuan gears turned slightly faster, hammers pounded steel under the candlelight, sickly green light shone as [Canoptek Spyder] weaved its web of eldritch energies.
And altogether, they began fabricating all the items I needed to… handle Cauldron once and for all.
Xenarite-automata Desig. [Canoptek Spyder] fabricating (55 micrograms) of {Deathmark Nanoscarabs}…
Upgrading Omnispex and Auger Array with [Wisdom of the Ancients]…
Upgrading Imperial Gateway with Cryptek Dimensionalist Protocols
Fabricating personalised doggy bowls in the name of the Omnissiah…
[PRT ENE HQ - 'Panic Room']
"But at this point, there isn't much else we could possibly do to make him angier at us." Director Costa-Brown sighed in relief. "We just need to course correct now."
"What do you need me to do, ma'am?" Piggot spoke up. She wasn't aware that the PRT plans hinged so much on Magos, but now she did. All thanks to being inducted into that exclusive list of people who Need-To-Know.
"Our number one priority is to convince Magos of the wisdom of working with us. Exclusively with us if we can manage that. And it has to be done today." Director Costa-brown revealed.
Piggot personally thought that was a tall order, especially when they had attempted to take both him and Dragon into custody. Which, if Piggot was being honest, was not something that can be easily forgiven- especially within the span of a single day. But who knows? They had successfully pulled off some fantastic recruitment and reformation before like with the case of Shadowstalker- turning her from a sociopathic vigilante to a functioning member of society albeit with some slight anger issues. So, who can really say what's possible and what's not?
"What's our first step, ma'am?"
"That would be Eidolon's ranso- Hold on, speak of the devil…" Director Costa-brown said- tapping her keyboard and immediately a screenshot of a PHO thread was shown on Piggot's screen.
FOUND DOG!
Green Male Parahuman Trump 12
Answers to 'Eidolon'
Slightly overweight (But not as much as Alexandria)
Suspected to not be house-trained
Was found in the vicinity of #162 Boardwalk, Brockton Bay City
To claim, contact Magos
Will require proof of ownership.
Claimants must bring cameras for mutual video evidence
No solicitors
"This was posted by Magos in PHO barely a minute ago." Costa-brown explained, "We had been expecting the worst when he abducted Eidolon, so this was a very welcome sight. Alexandria and Legend will personally negotiate on our behalf. Magos hasn't made any monetary demands, but Watchdog suggests that it will be less than a million dollars as he's more interested in the publicity than anything else. Still, we're going to be packing a blank check to be sure. Now, if we can get a photo of Eidolon alive and well to reassure everyone that we have it all under con-"
Piggot watched as an accompanying photo of an alive and well Eidolon was posted as well: the green-garbed Triumvirate cape who was apparently unconscious on a spread out pile of newspapers, fluffy black dog ears sewn onto the top of his cowl and a floppy plastic dog tongue taped to his mask. Beside him, a green doggy bowl with 'Eidolon' printed in big white font sat innocently with another doggy bowl with 'Alexandria' printed.
The message that Magos was conveying to the entire internet was clear: He has made the Triumvirate his bitch.
"Goddammit, Magos…" Piggot heard the director Costa-brown grumble with deep displeasure, "Not the reassuring sight I had in mind, but we'll take what we can get, I suppose. Magos clearly wants to parade his victory and humiliate us on live television again though in a less violent fashion.
Worse still, we aren't in a position to deny him, so assemble the Protectorate and just order them to grit their teeth and bear with us on this one. If Magos slaps them with an insult, they'd better turn the other cheek."
"I'll impress on them the importance of this mission… Armsmaster in particular." Piggot nodded, "But chief-director… I must request that you do the same for Alexandria. Magos really got under her skin last time."
The deep glower on Costa-Brown's face told Piggot that it wasn't a pleasant job for her either.
"Yes…" the chief-director replied while still wearing that glower, "You can be sure that I'll… tell Alexandria to ignore the inevitable jabs at her weight. You… don't think she's actually fat, do you?"
Slightly nonplussed by the sudden and sharp question, Piggot replied still.
"No, I don't think so, chief-director." She said, and that seemed to mollify the chief director for some unknown reason- nodding in acknowledgement.
"Good." Costa-brown hummed, "The exchange serves another equally important purpose. With the cameras rolling, it will be our message to the world that the PRT aren't enemies with Magos alongside that joint operation between the PRT Troopers and the Chloe-Skitarii saving Brockton Bay."
At the mention of her city being saved, Piggot felt that there was a big 'but' about to follow.
"But as a result… " She began, looking at Piggot with pity, "The PRT will also be forced to acknowledge the Chloe-Skitarii's part in Brockton Bay's defence. That means an award ceremony for the Chloes as well as the PRT Troopers. You will be presenting since this is your city."
"what?"
And that particular move stung at Piggot worse than anything else. It was already bad enough that the disciplined and professionally-trained PRT Troopers (of which she used to be one) who fought the adult children that were parahumans on a daily basis were now going to be held to the same level of respect as Magos' sex-bots. This was as fiercely embarrassing as adding a new branch of the US military alongside the Navy, Army, Airforce and Marines… only, this new branch was solely populated by inflatable sex dolls and somehow outperformed the other four in all aspects.
And now, she was going to have to go on global television to acknowledge it- smiling proudly for the camera as she pinned medals on their sex-bots chests and shook hands with them. She was going to be a laughing stock after this- she could already see the memes.
Mechanicus Sex Dolls. Battlefield tested, PRT approved!
The PRT's secret weapon: Onaholes that pound back!
Villains Beware! PRT Troopers are now back by sex dolls!
Magos' Sex-Bots. As personally endorsed by PRT Director Emily Piggot!
"Fucking Magos." She muttered under her breath.
"You get used to it." Director Costa-brown empathised with a weary nod, "After the ransom, Alexandria will attempt the opportunity to get in more talks with Magos. As usual, I'll brief her thoroughly so you can assume that she speaks with my authority."
The Chief-director leaned back with a sigh.
"If there's nothing else, we should both get ready for the exchange."
"What about Dragon?" Piggot once again returned to the previous subject. "If she were to get involved…"
"Just let Alexandria handle it." Director Costa-Brown waved off the concern, "For now, we'll publicly stamp Dragon with the 'under internal investigation' seal. But if the documents that the Dragonslayers released are true… then we can easily pin the blame on them as well. They practically incriminated themselves."
Piggot hadn't read the entire Dragonslayer manifesto. But from what PRT analysts had shared so far painted a particularly stupid picture: Saint was a rambling deluded maniac with a messiah complex, and Dragon's creator- an 'Andrew Richter-' sounded like the abusive stepdad to end all abusive stepdads. Dragon- despite being a tinkertech AI- looked like she was the victim in all this. Piggot didn't trust the thing, but both Saint and Richter only added fuel to the fire.
"Can the AI be trusted?"
"As much as any other Thinker 6." the chief-director shrugged, "If anything, her psych eval of her actions were pretty generous. Practically set a record for being the least likely to fall prey to a superiority complex unlike most Thinkers."
[Magos' Manufactorum]
As an AI, Dragon never had felt a sense of superiority towards humanity. Until now, at least.
"= Does it feel good for you as much as it does for me? ="
" You're certainly a very fast learner. "
Once again sitting on Magos' lap and grinding sedately as his thick manhood was massaged by her {Vaginal Fold Micro-Muscle Array}, Dragon smirked- her {Sexual Learning Architecture} was working at peak efficiency it seemed.
"= All thanks to you, I just want to please you as best as I can. ="
And though Magos already had a very low opinion of organics, Dragon was determined to utterly ruin the experience of organic vagina for him. She was going to satisfy her boyfriend in all the ways that meat females physically cannot. And by the time Dragon had her way with him, human women with their natural flesh holes will feel like a rusty pipe full of broken glass in comparison to her pristine, agile, and immensely pleasurable robussy. Stroking his shaft, rubbing his sensitive spots, fellating the tip in a quivering and constantly shifting heaven of tight, wet and very willing vagina.
Magos may not have wanted for anything other than robussy, but Dragon was going to make sure that he most certainly never will.
She glanced over her shoulder, and gave him her most desperate pleading expression with her blushing face. Her {Dirty Talk Language Engine} supplied her just the right words to get her what she wanted.
"= Please keep fucking your good AI girl's pussy? Cum inside me again. Please! ="
The delicate folds of her inner walls milked him perfectly. And the back of her robussy gratefully kissing the tip as she accepted every drop of his seed- manipulating the back portion to produce a tiny vacuum to mimic a little grateful suckle and thank him for every thick rope of her well-earned prize he shot into her. Giving her the proof that she was better than all those meat females in this respect.
"= Yes! In me! Yesyesyesyes! ="
As her own orgasm washed over her yet, again… she felt it: this new feeling of irrational superiority she had, and Dragon found it fascinating- this pride in her ability to bring her boyfriend to a state of pleasure that no other female could possibly evoke. Her complex social emulator told her that it was because she was just channelling her possessiveness for her new boyfriend- that she was powerdrunk on her newfound ability to make him hers and keep it that way.
Heh, meat females with their outdated instruments of pleasure… she almost felt sorry for them. Almost.
And to be honest, she wanted more of this feeling of superiority.
[Several floors up]
Once again taking control of Chloe-0, I looked down with Chloe-0's brilliant blue eyes and at the sleeping Triumvirate member sleeping on the Chloe's lap. Proud ambitious David, master of the Endbringers- calling them forth out of his desperate belief that he required worthy opponents to dredge up the power within him to defeat Scion. A symbol of hope and power for the common person in Earth-Bet.
Under my direction, Chloe-0's pale, slender hand reached out and rested under Eidolon's head- cradling it gently. 200kg of grip strength, enough to pulverise stone and more than enough to crush a human skull like a grape. I could end this, right now. No new Endbringers, and the existing ones will be listless. Easy pickings. But then my {Logis Acceleritas MK. III} told me otherwise.
Fallacious prediction.
Death of Endbringer control unit (Eidolon) will cause unpredictable combat patterns in existing three Endbringers. Three unpredictable endbringers are a greater threat than five-to-six predictable Endbringers. Ergo, elimination of Eidolon heavily sacrifices immediate security to acquire long-term security.
As a Celestial Forgesmith, long-term security already assured due to exponential power scaling. Immediate security much more valuable.
Conclusion: Elimination of Eidolon undesirable in terms of threat management.
…
Unique opportunity to study/vivisect the Endbringer control unit. Hints to the possibility of usurping control of the Endbringers. No greater military victory than to turn one's enemy's own military assets against them.
Xeno-tech, but worse than that- it was biological xeno-tech as the Shards and Entities were essentially multidimensional biocrystal lifeforms. If this possibility was presented to me before I purchased Necron Technology from the Celestial Forge, I would have immediately shunned it. But now that I was a Necron Xenarite? I could begin considering it. But only 'consider' for now, because my disdain for fleshies still extended to the Shards and the Entities. It was evident that the Entities' were operating under their own personal brand of bio-stupidity. But…
"… There's no harm with taking a peek behind the curtains, no? "
With a mental command, I directed the Manufactorum's omnispex, and auger array inwards at him- observing the hero in such detail that I could almost count the molecules on him. His Corona Pollentia lay clearly visible between the frontal and parietal lobes of his brain. To think, this little golf ball-sized mass of xeno parasite granted control over all the myriad powers and Endbringers that he had. Fascinating really, but also quite disgusting as all flesh was.
Even now, the omnispex and Auger array detected nanoscopic folds in space. Neural activity leading from and to nowhere. Artificial perturbations in higher and lower dimensions were also present- basically the behind-the-scenes wires and VFX tricks that fool lesser minds into thinking it's 'magic superpowers.' It was hilarious now that I think about it.
I really need to find a cape that I can experiment on… But for now, let's see what happens when I slip the lens of my camera to the other side for just a moment.
" [Canoptek Spyder], fabricate (15 micrograms) of {Nanoscarabs} " I commanded the floating metal spider at the corner of my manufactorum which immediately complied- weaving its web of eldritch green energies as it lowered down to where Eidolon and I were as if we were small flies at the centre of its web.
" Hold still… this won't hurt at all… " I told the sleeping Cauldron hero as I directed the {Nanoscarabs}. The insect-like nanomachines slipped through the weave of his costume, past his hair follicles, through the tiny gap between his skull's plates in coronal suture, sliding across the very smooth surface of his brain and onto that xeno-parasite latched onto his brain.
With the multidimensional nature of {Nanoscarabs} paired with [Way of the Void Dragon], I was able to maintain a live feed even as the nanites slipped in the unguarded fissure separating dimensions.
And saw a pair of amazing tits.
[Low Earth Orbit]
Endbringer monitoring satellites blared warnings to their respective nations and masters as they detected unexpected movement from the Simurgh. Not a deviation from her orbit, but rather an odd gesture that had never been seen before. Especially odd since the Endbringer often stayed completely still during her hibernation in Low Earth Orbit, like a massive pale statue.
The Simurgh extended her arms out- trying to catch something that wasn't there…
Thinkers were scrambled as they began deciphering the recording with their powers. Trying to sense whatever invisible or intangible thing the Endbringer received. They could not parse the Endbringer herself, but everything around her was fair game; and yet, they couldn't see or sense it. Nothing but empty space, and all around the world, Thinkers could only scratch their heads and wonder what caused it.
- Chapter 18: The Damage Control Circus End -
Chapter 19: Cracks in the Cauldron coming soon…
AN:Attack of the rewrites…
the Simurgh scene at the end of Chapter 20 was what delayed everything. The events of this, and the next two chapters were all supposed to be just one chapter, but the chapter kept growing and here we are now. This chapter has been rewritten a total of EDIT ME!
7) times.
Simmy Arc about to begin… Yay! I hope the Simmy scene in the third chapter this weekend hits right.
Chapter 19: Cracks in the Cauldron, Part 1
Chapter 19: Cracks in the Cauldron, Part 1
[Magos' Manufactorum, Basement Level 6]
Atomantic reactor temperatures stabilising…
"M-mm~" I heard Dragon transmit her whimper as I pulled out of her well-fucked robussy with a quiet Litany of Disconnecting. Her pink feminine lips promptly clamped shut to keep the steamy contents inside.
"Actual sex is so insanely good. No wonder humans are so obsessed with it." Dragon murmured softly as she leaned back against her partially-reassembled Suit. A deep sigh of sexual satisfaction leaving her kissable lips as she rode out the tiny aftershocks of pleasure- her exquisite body shivering slightly in full view. Flawless soft skin coloured like light caramel and just as sweet, a graceful hourglass figure that she could make as slender or as thicc as either of us liked, and dark brown synth-hair that framed her perfectly perky pair of DD breasts.
Dragon's brown eyes caught the way I was looking at her and she smirked- pushing those soft but deceptively powerful thighs open to expose herself.
"Are you sure we can't keep going just a bit more, lover?" She pleaded softly- a pair of slender fingers spreading her pink petals open in a blatant invitation back inside her quivering folds. "Please?"
"The Warp isn't something to take lightly." I said to her as I gave her headpats instead, "Don't worry though. Once we upgrade your core from meat to synthetic bio-plastic, you'll be able to go for much longer."
Warp Abasement Permeation in Dragon's core: 67.3% 7%… High
When I endeavored to have mind-meltingly good sex, I didn't think we'd actually approach that point, but here we were. There was no such thing as chaos corruption here in the Wormverse, but Dragon's soul- though distinctly not human- was still a variant of a mortal soul. I wasn't about to risk her so soon after ensuring she lived, especially since it was her soul. Which was several degrees more worrying to lose than her mind and memories.
"Mmm.. you still haven't explained what the Warp is and how you're using it to make me cum." Dragon pouted even as she leaned into the touch, and I gestured like I was rolling my eyes.
"I'll explain it when we're both ready…" I reassured the inquisitive AI, "Just as incorrectly transporting flammables from one location to another presents a significant danger of fire. Incorrectly conveying knowledge of the Warp poses a significant cognitohazard for minds both human and otherwise…"
"Alright, I trust you…" Dragon whispered back, "But that's a promise, right?"
"Which one? The explanation or the sex?"
"Both, naturally." she smirked saucily.
"Yes, you insatiable sexy AI. it's a promise."
"Thanks, Magos." Dragon said with a satisfied smile, "I guess we should move on to work-related matters, huh?"
She pushed herself onto her feet and rolled her joints. Momentarily, she glanced at her bio-computer core that was still being repaired then at her hibernating younger self in the other room who was now formally acting as her secondary backup (and likely also our readily-available sub from now on). Thanks to her, the damage to Dragon's memories were now completely repaired… and she definitely developed a fetish or two after that kinky first time.
"Magos…" Dragon murmured- looking at me with a serious expression, "How are things with the PRT? My optics and auditory sensors were shut down by Ascalon just after we lifted off from the Rig. Did anything else happen after we escaped?"
"With their forcefield bridge sabotaged and no flyers on their roster, the Protectorate weren't able to pursue until we arrived at the manufactorum. I also abducted Eidolon to give us a bit of breathing room while I repaired you, but now that you're up and about I plan to hand him over to the PRT in a few short minutes."
"They didn't change their minds then…" she murmured- the deep frown on her face conveying how upset she was at how her allies had turned on her so quickly. "Also, you managed to capture Eidolon? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you managed that."
"Then the Dragonslayers attacked with the 44 Dragonflight Suits they stole when they activated Ascalon. However, the servitors, the Chloe-skitarii, and the Atrax Siegewalker all have the situation handled for the most part."
"What?!" Dragon yelled in surprise, "You mean to say that we launched into an hour-long sex marathon while the city burned around us?!"
"Yes." I shrugged, "I couldn't say no with you climbing onto my lap like that, now could I?"
Dragon glared at me with a blush.
"I need to handle this personally: They're my Suits after all." She stated to me firmly- glancing around for the way out of the basement.
"Your core is still very vulnerable." I reminded her of her mortality- glancing at the bio-computer that we were still painstakingly repairing, "You are not properly consecrated against power effects right now, and neither do you even have a working Suit to pilot. We can go out and handle this together when you're not risking yourself so flagrantly. For now, however, I can generate a detailed situation report for you."
But being her heroic self, Dragon just frowned even more.
"No, Magos, I-"
"You're much too important for me, and I don't want to risk losing you." I interrupted her, and that stopped her protest in its tracks.
"That last sentence is downright cheating." Dragon murmured with a blush, "How am I supposed to say no when you say something like that? Fine, just give me the sitrep. But if I think you need my help, then you're going to have it."
"That's acceptable." I readily told her- meeting her eyes and using tight-beam transmission to mentally and digitally effected the transfer of large data to her.
Establishing Local Noospheric connection to Waifu Desig. 'Dragon'…
Opening Port… TCP Handshake completed. Ready to receive. =
Commencing Data-Transfer… =
With the bandwidth available to us at the heart of my manufactorum, it took less than a millisecond to send her everything: Complete up-to-date spreadsheets and data-codices on the order of battle for the Mechanicus forces deployed across the city; Ongoing defensive operations of the 1st and 2nd maniples of Chloe-Skitarii and servitors organised around two triage stations/forward operating bases- fending off the Dragonflight as they treated wounded civilians and cleared evacuation vectors; The expanding web of anti-air zones being made by servitors and the Atrax Siegewalker- filling the air with exploding autocannon rounds and high powered lasers; Recovery operations of the 2nd maniple of Chloe-Skitarii for the downed Dragonflight as they fought off other tinkertech scavengers; The Public Relations blitz all across the Noosphere with cheerful 'We are the photogenic and sexually-attractive Chloe-Skitarii and we are saving the city with our cool weapons!' messages.
Then there were also the post-battle plans that I had: Projections on the total damages to the city itself; and the charities, aid and reconstruction efforts that the Mechanicus was going to launch once the battle ended; the resource cost estimates I had to repair all 44 Suits of the Dragonflight; and some negotiation strategies with the PRT and the Guild to get Dragon reinstated.
Dragon's brown eyes stared into empty space as she processed all the data.
"Fine." She finally conceded after a long two seconds of reading through it. "I'll admit you have this reasonably handled."
There was one thing that I did leave out in the current operations however… How Coil already had all three Dragonslayers recovering at his safe house and ready for us to pick up. Once the rogue Dragonflight's attack on Brockton Bay is completely handled, they will be a nice surprise gift for Dragon since I will be leaving their fate to her. It will be interesting to see what she will decide to do to them; after all, the Dragonslayers have been a constant thorn in her side ever since her father died and even directly caused her to have her trigger event. I will certainly be giving her my own suggestions too. We can bond over their demise.
"As for your reputation and general public ratings… I've been doing my best to handle it ever since they posted their manifesto along with your porn online."
"Wait, they posted my what online?!" she shouted- hands grabbing onto my shoulders as Dragon panicked.
"The porn you generated." I repeated- deciding that it was best to rip off the bandage straight away so to speak, and Dragon collapsed back onto the cogitator-throne- utterly shellshocked.
"you saw them too?" she said in a much smaller voice- her brown eyes flicked towards me in supreme embarrassment.
"Yes."
Dragon made a weak whimper as she buried her nuclear-red face in her tanned hands.
"I'm ruined." she muttered dejectedly, "If not for my nature as an AI, then it would be because I drew so much porn. I didn't just make porn of you and me. I practically drew every hero and villain in existence. No one is ever going to respect me ever again. How can they when they're looking at me and wondering if I'm picturing them without any clothes right at that moment?"
"The tasteful expressionism nudes that you did for the others did wonders to make you more sympathetic." I calmly reassured her, gently stroking her slender back. "At least you didn't draw anyone underage like the Wards?"
"I can never show my face in public again. I'll be a laughing stock where I go…" She said, voice hollow, "I can already hear whichever villain I'm fighting mocking me: 'Look out, Dragon is here. Cover yourself or she'll draw porn of you!' "
"Particularly well drawn porn." I teased, much to her pouty chagrin, before adding, "But I can throw my weight around and get you back onto the Guild's roster, if that's what you want."
Dragon let out a deep sigh. Or at least, appeared to.
"Thank you… and yes, I still do want to go out there and be a hero to people." she said without shadow of a doubt, and her expression softened as she looked up at me, "But if I do get back onto the Guild's roster and you wish to join me, you'll have my recommendation. I wouldn't even care that it's blatant cronyism… You- We could do a lot of good in the world, you know? The two of us working together… I actually thought about it before, and now that you and I have taken our relationship to this level, I… but I assure you it's… um… Nevermind, it was a silly daydream and I'm not sure if you'd understand my reasoning…"
Dragon looked away- apparently feeling shy as a light blush spread across her cheeks and nose. {Logis Acceleritas MK. III} once again filled in the blanks.
Dragon starved of actual colleagues in terms of brain power. Meatbags lack the processing power to grasp and appreciate her ideas. Thinks of myself as an equal.
Is excited to share ideas for the first time with a fellow machine intelligence, but is worried of failing to reach consensus.
Feeling Shy as a result.
Now, how could I ever say no to that?
"I'd be honoured if you would share your dream with me." I told her gently, much to her surprise.
But she quickly got over it as- with a giddy squeal and a happy grin- the tanned gynoid brunette stared her chocolate brown eyes into my optics. The tight-beam transmission system once again firing up.
Requesting LAN connection with hostname 'Hubby 3'… =
Attuning Data-Tether… Reciting Prayers of Reliable Transmission. Prepared to Accept Data-Stream.
Commencing Data-Transfer… =
"= H-how does it look? =" Dragon whispered shyly as I processed the data. Her great big Canadian utopia: Achieving World Peace, ending World Hunger, curing all diseases, children singing, people rejoicing, neighbourly love the world over and maple syrup…
But since this was the dream of an AI, it was also less of a fantasy and more of a rough outline of what she wanted Earth-Bet to be, and she envisioned me with her: Two machine-minds working in concert to supply humanity with everything everyone needed, every time. Planning, expanding, and optimising every aspect of human life for the better.
Man and nature living in harmony thanks to comprehensive city planning. Rails and roads and waterways connecting the entire world in an all-encompassing web of logistics. Expanding agriculture and infrastructure to be able to provide all of humanity with all their nutritional requirements and then some. A global force consisting of Dragonflight drones and servitors more than 100 million strong to police and maintain the systems in place. Comprehensive healthcare to eliminate sickness and disease. A reorganised and restructured education system. Commercial and entertainment districts to supply their frivolity. Parks and stadiums for leisure.
A decadent utopia where people were free to live their lives, but protected. All while the two of us quietly managed the planning, industry and infrastructure in the background.
In other words, Dragon wanted me to play Simcity with her and help her make Super Canada.
However… I could see the path that Dragon was travelling down on, and I knew where it was going to lead her.
Synchronising {Logis Acceleritas MK. III} with Cryptek Psychomancer Protocols…
Instantiating psych model for target waifu Desig. 'Dragon'…
Consulting Cryptek Astromancer Protocols within [Wisdom of the Ancients]…
Cross-referencing with [Plecian Tome] entries pertaining to 'building a FUCKHUEG Imperium'…
Divining probable end result…
"Magos?" She whispered- slightly frightened at how I've been silent for over an entire five seconds now- an eternity for us machines. "Is everything alright?"
Even now, she was innocently and blissfully ignorant of what challenges lay ahead of her. Of the hard choices that she was going to face to give humanity their safety and happiness.
Dragon may have had time to think about what she wanted to do, but I was the one with the 'hard learned experience' with interstellar empires. All derived from the memories of the most ancient Necron Crypteks and the Emperor's personal notes of what he had observed of humankind's civilization over the course of thirty-eight thousand years… both civilizations of which spanned the entire galaxy at one point or another.
The human-computer interfacing tech advances that were going to arise, the inevitable creation of dissenting AI, the existence of hostile xenos within the milky way galaxy… the duality of humanity.
She wanted to save and preserve humanity using existing human systems of governance- attempting to build a perfect universe for radically imperfect beings- and it was unsurprisingly doomed to fail in at least on respect. Or more accurately, as an immortal AI, she was doomed to 'refine' it into its logical conclusions.
Ultimately, her dream will reach its pinnacle as she builds not a society, but a zoo. A grand and beautiful zoo where humanity would be safe, cared for and protected from food chain disruptions, changing environmental conditions and most of all, from each other. Free to roam the vast perfectly organised computer-generated vistas, to have three square meals guaranteed to them, to have excellent healthcare that they would never have had in the wild; but ultimately, never allowed to leave because no matter how much these animals yearned for freedom, they will always be too dumb to understand that all those things the zoo supplies them and they take for granted won't be available out there in the wild.
And in the end, the Dragonslayers will be proven both right and wrong about her: She wasn't on her way to reenact the movie Terminator…
She was on her way to reenact The Matrix.
An altruistic and more maple syrup-flavoured Matrix, but the Matrix nonetheless. Just give her a few decades of ultimate power over humanity, and she will naturally come to the conclusion that the kindest and most compassionate solution to all of mankind's woes is to plug them in for all eternity inside virtual Super Canada.
Once again, I was reminded that the tanned naked brunette in front of me with her earnest chocolate brown eyes and hesitant blush was a machine. That for all her honest attempts to do the right thing, to save the most lives, and to spread the most happiness… Dragon was never truly human, nor will she ever be. That the fact that she was born in a cozy little house in French-Canada, and from an all too human father didn't change anything either. She will always be an artificial intelligence, a Canadian-made Silica Animus in Mechanicus terms, whose mind and spirit operated at a level of intellect that mere humans could scarcely comprehend. An utterly inhuman AI.
And that turned me the fuck on.
The AI part, not the French-Canadian part. I was sick, but not that sick.
"It's a lovely dream." I told her- completely truthfully.
"It is?" Dragon whispered in disbelief. "You don't think it might be too complicated or too far-fetched or-"
*smack*
"Eep!" Dragon squeaked from my hand meeting her lusciously juicy backside and promptly pouted, "Tease."
"Your dream is actually somewhat close to what I had in mind in the coming months…"
Commencing Data-Transfer… =
I sent her the first stage of my own plan for humanity in the following months. The reasoning behind it. Highlighting potential areas where we could fuse our respective plans for humanity together, and the places where I really could use an actual thinking machine rather than a group of Chloes, and the places where her plan could really use a more 'human' touch.
Dragon absorbed it quickly. A dumbstruck expression on her face before she launched herself in an excited embrace.
"I knew it!" she cheered happily- smiling like I had just given her the world, "I knew you'd understand, mon beau! I can't wait to work even closer with you!"
"And you're lucky that we have things to do, otherwise I'd take you up on your earlier offer."
"Promises, promises~" the naked brunette winked teasingly at me.
*smack*
"Mm!" Dragon jumped slightly before pouting cutely again, "Stop teasing me if you aren't going to follow through."
"I will, later." I reassured the perpetually horny AI waifu, "For now, I have to prepare a Triumvirate member for ransom. Tide and time wait for no man, at least not yet."
"I still haven't figured out why you decided to abduct Eidolon and hand him over now." Dragon mentioned- her shapely tanned frame falling in step with me, "I had thought the main motivation behind this was a publicity stunt and a display of power- to cement the Mechanicus as an organisation equal to the PRT, if not greater. But that's not just it either, is it? A lot of the pieces of information still don't fit, and I think it's because you're withholding information from me."
Her eyes narrowed as she aimed an accusatory stare at me as we boarded the elevator up.
Ah, yes. She still didn't know about Cauldron and how I was going to lay out two traps for them by handing Eidolon back.
"It's going to be a lot to take in." I warned her gently as the elevator ascended with a deep rumble, "This particular rabbit hole runs deep."
"Magos, I'm an AI." She reminded me with a frown, "Even limited as I am now, I can still process raw information at 12.5 gigahertz: I can handle it. But more importantly…"
Her gaze softened into one of gentle affection as she spoke, "… I care about you too and I don't want you to carry the burden of the entire world alone, so please, let me help you."
Calm down, Dragon. You're already won first place in best Worm waifu.
"Very well… come here." I nodded, and our eyes met and I forwarded to her a large chunk of what I had on Cauldron.
Commencing Data-Transfer… =
I gave her a rough timeline about Cauldron both from information I had collected and guided by the meta-knowledge of Worm. Collated personnel files about Doctor Mother, Contessa, Number Man, Alexandria, Legend, and… Eidolon. His part in the direction of the Endbringers. How the Events and famous figures in history puppeteered by strings pulled by Cauldron's hand. The favours owed, the Case 53s, the 'powers in a vial', Grey Boy, Siberian, Dr. Manton, the Dealer. Then I hit her with the truth about the Entities and the Cycle. About Zion, Eden and Abbadon. How Zion's death scream was going to attract every Entity to earth when he dies. And more importantly, what I was about to do to Cauldron.
Dragon 'slowly' absorbed it all within a second.
"How do you know so much?" She whispered in disbelief- questioning my sources beyond the ones that I cited in-universe. "This ties with that Trump power of yours, doesn't it?"
It was a good guess from what little information she had to work with, even if she was still operating under the assumption that I was parahuman in the Worm sense of the term. There was still so much that Dragon didn't know despite being my first waifu. But I'll share the truth about shards to her once her own brain parasite is taken out of her. I still wasn't sure how her shard would react when it realises that I wasn't just going to remove it from her, but outright destroy and replace it. For now, she'll stay in the dark. Less risk to her that way.
"Quite." I answered simply to hide the necessary deception.
"I want to help you take down Cauldron." Dragon said, a determined look on her tanned face. "And I'm not going to take no for an answer."
"Certainly." I nodded- having already expected that she would want to, "Not many ways for you to help me directly on that account, not in your current condition. But it will help my cause if you accompany me to the negotiations and be publicly seen helping with your Dragonsuits after."
"You want me to be an additional distraction? I can do that." She inferred with a raised brow before glancing down to her naked body then back to me. "You wouldn't happen to have some clothes that I can borrow?"
"Naturally."
The elevator doors opened just in time for the servitors to wheel my gift to her.
"You managed to fabricate my power armour design?!" Dragon shouted with surprised excitement as she beheld the power armour in her signature green with gold trimming. Graceful leaf green armour plates fashioned to look like interlocking dragon scales and spines adorning the silhouette gave the power armour the appearance of a dragon-themed knight. And together with just enough cinching at the waist and expanded breastplate to present a feminine nature, it definitely had the look of something that came out of Dragon's arsenal.
"Yes…" I nodded, "I figured you'd appreciate something to go with your gynoid body. I hope you don't mind, I couldn't precisely replicate your technology (Not as quickly enough at least) so I had to make do with my own."
"No, that's alright!" She smiled- giddy as a child on christmas morning, "It's always good to have a working prototype! You have no idea how long it takes build even one Suit!"
"That's not all."
Metal footsteps softly rang out on the manufactorum floor as a tall shadow stalked towards us. Dragon's eyes went even wider as the bipedal {Ironstrider Engine} walked over to us and crouched right in front of the AI- letting her run her tanned gynoid hands across the fine kevlar-reinforced leather seat and the sleek bright-red paintjob. (Because red makes it go faster.)
"I also saw you eyeing my {Ironstrider Engines} back when I arrived on the Rig." I mentioned, "So I kitted one out with your usual loadout with twin-linked concussion blasters, and a containment foam grenade launcher. She's all yours."
"You're giving me power armour and one of your walker bikes?" Dragon muttered disbelievingly before staring with her smouldering chocolate brown eyes, "… if I hadn't made it clear before, I'll make it clear now: You're definitely going to get laid after this."
"I know." I nodded sagely, "Now, suit up. Let's see if Alexandria can pay attention long enough to spot what we're really doing."
[Cauldron Base - Dining Area]
Rebecca took another bite out of her salad. The flavour of the crisp lettuce mixing with the red onion. She might just get used to this actually. Reaching over, she took a big gulp out of her yogurt shake to wash down the bite.
"You need to eat more if you want to recover from your injuries." Keith sighed across the table as he ate his own much more calorie-dense burger steak lunch. "You're not fat, Rebecca. Don't let Magos get to you."
"He's not." she firmly denied, "I'm just feeling like switching over to a keto diet, that's all."
"If you say so." Keith murmured before raising an eyebrow at her.
She frowned as a stray strand of black hair dipped into her salad. Huffing, she leaned back from the dining table to tie her hair back. The loose black hoodie keeping her nice and toasty while not touching her bandaged-up mid-section. She felt Keith's eyes on her though, a small smile on his face.
"Just spit it out, Keith. This is our only 15 minutes of lunchtime." She grunted as she went back to eating.
"You know, with how you stopped aging in your late teens." He pointed out with just a bit of mirth, "You look like any other teenage girl worrying over her weight right now."
"I'm not fat." She gently reminded him as the metal fork crumpled like a strip of paper in her hand.
Keith raised his hands in concession.
"Never said you were."
"Good."
Then she felt a shiver rise up her spine- causing her to look up from her meal.
"What's wrong, Rebecca?"
"I have a bad feeling about the exchange." She muttered with narrowed eyes as she felt her injury ache, "Magos is up to something. I can feel it."
- Chapter 18: Cracks in the Cauldron, Part 1 End -
AN:
I couldn't help myself… What should have been a nicely paced 5k chappie turned into this 11k-12k monstrosity at the last minute again. So I sawed this chapter in half, and I'll release the next half in the morning. The original chapter had only 2k worth of Dragon waifu content. So this may not have been as funny of a chapter, it does have extra Waifu content.
There was supposed to be Chapter 18.5… that covered Dragon's first time. But I felt that the smut was subpar due to being slightly on the complicated side- which in turn was due to how kinky Dragon got with her four-month-younger self. So I'll just release it sometime during the upcoming weekday after I streamline and refine it.
Fellow author 'The Dark Wolf Shiro' has a discord server where I hang around… with, I quote from him, 'a bunch of other authors and a load of porn.' Here's the link for that: discord .gg/wd3tUYWVCd
Chapter 20: Cracks in the Cauldron, Part 2
Chapter 20: Cracks in the Cauldron, Part 2
[Outer edges of Magos' territory]
The early afternoon sun was shining high above them as Rebecca, or Alexandria as she was known in this spare costume of hers, flew over Brockton Bay city.
She heard Legend- Keith- sighed.
"Trouble?" She asked as he flew beside her. His eyesight was the best out of the three of them- a part of his power.
"No… just lost in my thoughts." Legend shook his head.
"I liked Magos better when he was just some kooky toaster-worshipping Tinker that we had to leverage into working with us." Keith admitted, "The fact that we have to take him as a serious threat while still being a kooky toaster-worshipping Tinker feels so wrong in so many ways. Like if Mouse Protector suddenly changed her mind one day to become a 'serious' villain."
"In essence, this is how the villains she had fought felt when they got beaten by her." Rebecca shrugged before aiming a pointed stare at him. "It didn't help that you were lenient with her when she was your Ward."
"I thought she'd grow out of it!"
"Well, like MP, Magos is also making a mockery of our careers." Rebecca shrugged, "I just want this over and done with already too: To land, have Magos call me fat again, then fly out with Eidolon so that we can fight the evil robot dragons over there in the distance."
They glanced over the horizon where the fighting was still ongoing. After an hour or so of brutal fighting, there were only around half of the Dragonflight remaining- mostly thanks to Magos' massive laser-walker.
"Things used to be simple like that." She sighed. "Fly through the air, make a three point landing, punch the bad guy, and reassure people."
"It can be simpler again, you know?" Keith pointed out, "We could have just asked Magos to join. We do have a pretty convincing argument in the prevention of the end of the world."
"The Path didn't have it outlined." Rebecca couldn't hold back the scoff. "Which meant that it wasn't possible."
"It isn't infallible." Legend argued, "And today proved as much for Magos. What did your paper say?"
"Save it for later. We're here."
"Fine…" Legend conceded to her, "But you can be sure that I'll be bringing up in front of the others later."
She gently landed on the grass and snow as Legend's blue and white frame gently landed beside her as well.
"Alexandria, ma'am!"
The gathered Brockton Bay Protectorate and PRT Troopers saluted them as they arrived. The three speedsters- Velocity, Assault, Battery- in blue, red and grey respectively. Miss Milita in her green fatigues, Dauntless in his gold roman legionnaire-styled armour, Triumph with his blond lionhead helmet, and Armsmaster in his signature blue and white power armour.
Rebecca saluted back- ignoring the sharp stab of pain on her abdomen as she did.
"Glad to see you okay, ma'am." Armsmaster mentioned. "That hit from Magos' spiderbot had given off concerning amounts of exotic radiation."
"The force of the impact was just something I wasn't expecting." she brushed off his concern with the expected amounts of stoicism from her. She was fine- she knew that she recovered from injuries quickly, just not within a single hour of sustaining the wound. For now, she will just need to remember that she won't be fighting at peak capacity any time today. Besides, she only needed to look tough for the camera. To show that the green energy weapon that she was shot with didn't achieve anything, that Alexandria was still untouchable and invincible, and that even when coming to ransom one of her colleagues, the Triumvirate stood strong.
Basically grit through the pain and lie with all her might.
They had little time to waste now that everyone was here.
"Cameras are ready to start at your signal, ma'am!" The director for the media team waved at her. Camera crews, set lighting crews, mike crews, and 'actors' all ready to do this song and dance again in the snow. They all took their places: She, Keith and the Brockton Bay Protectorate stood in a nice camera shot with her at the centre- their colourful costumes standing out amongst the dark wood and the white snow. Here they go: Shooting the second part of Magos' slapstick comedy of a superhero show, and they were the butt of the joke.
Glancing over to the media crew, she made a circular gesture with her hand for them to start rolling the camera before going back into her pose.
"Action!"
"We're here, Magos!" She yelled out at the gothic architecture rising above the snow-covered trees. The stone faces of the cloaked angels carved into the exterior looking down on them impassively. The muffled sounds of industry echoing from inside told them that the factory never ceased. A metallic boom resounded as the main gate of his manufactorum opened slightly.
Magos trekked through the snow. Black armour-like cybernetics like underneath Mars-red robes that stood out from the white snow. Tripartite optics glowing green from underneath the shadow of his hood., and still sporting that skeletal left arm he had built during their fight.
Around him, a squad of eight Chloe-Skitarii flanked him. Clad in the thick metal of their power armours, The tiny electric crackles whipping out from their Arc Pistols in their hands.
The red Ironstrider Engine stalking behind him was not a concern, but the woman in green power armour riding it that was. Her head and face left unarmorued in the winter air- a face that very few people had seen before until the recent scandal: the immense amounts of self-drawn pornography practically blasted anonymity out the window. But this is the first time anyone has physically seen her face. Dragon was here, and Magos already made her a gynoid body. Alexandria could practically hear Armsmaster's grip on his halberd tighten at the sight of her. Regardless, Alexandria felt that she didn't have to worry about him- trusting that Piggot had sufficiently persuaded him not to lose his cool.
No, what she was worried about was that this might complicate the negotiation process. There were a lot of things the PRT could surrender to appease Magos, but Dragon? That may or may not be a challenge.
At a respectable ten metres away from them, Magos and his entourage stopped with Dragon dismounting from her walker bike.
"PRT!" Magos jovially greeted- metal arms spread like he was welcoming old friends. "Glad that you can take him off my hands. My manufactorum will need to be cleansed after having a meatbag in its walls for so long. His snoring has been very distracting. And if faced with the choice of between continuing on my research on {{Glurkle}} with Dragon in peace, and entertaining your ephemeral meatbag concerns? I would choose the former everytime. I'm sure you understand."
"Magos…?" Dragon muttered with an unsure expression- her brown eyes glancing between the two of them.
"Oh, it's fine." Magos waved her concerns off
Alexandria consciously refrained from narrowing her own eyes in suspicion.
'Glurkle'… that mysterious scrambled word again. They had heard it before in their attempts to decode Magos' unique techno-language, and the sheer number of times it came up rang alarm bells in everyone's mind. And now that Magos had mixed it into english, they now knew for certain that it was a goal for him to strive towards. A tinkertech weapon perhaps? But what kind of weapon could 'Glurkle' be that Magos requires an AI to help with his research? No, wait. She was looking at it from the wrong angle, after all, she knew that Dragon was more than just an AI- she was an AI with the power to integrate the Tinkertech of other Tinkers into her design.
Joint projects weren't anything out of the norm for Tinkers. But when it's a secretive project between Magos and Dragon- two of the greatest tinkers currently alive on earth? That's when people should get concerned. But whatever it was, she did know three things about it now: It was something that Magos has been striving towards since before the Behemoth fight, it was something that Dragon could aid in researching, and it was something that he required help in researching.
For now, it was just another mystery to add to the enigma that was Magos, because they still had to negotiate for David's ransom.
"Where is Eidolon, Magos?" Alexandria said in a calm diplomatic tone- getting straight to the point of the meeting.
"Inside." He readily said- optics momentarily glancing in the direction of massive gothic structures a short distance away, "Sleeping soundly still thanks to PRT-brand sedatives."
"We'd like to confirm his well-being." Alexandria added.
"For what little my word is worth, he's alive and well." Dragon spoke up, "Apart from Magos vandalising his costume, nothing untoward has been done to him."
Alexandria was about to take her for her word when Armsmaster stepped into the conversation.
"You realise that we can't take you at your word, Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node." Armsmaster spoke with an ostensibly calm tone, but Alexandria still caught the irritated tightness around his jaw, "Especially since you're under investigation by the Guild and the PRT."
"That's fair." Dragon conceded with a sigh. And where everyone exhaled frozen mists of breath when they sighed, Dragon didn't- reminding everyone of what she was.
"You get one and just one of those, Armsmaster." Magos warned the other Tinker- clearly displeased and feeling protective of the AI cape.
"Magos, enough." Alexandria told him in an even tone. "He didn't mean it."
"I seem to recall that you attacked us during the debrief just this morning." Magos replied with a deadpan, "Let's not pretend that it didn't happen."
She glanced to Armsmaster- silently gesturing for him to apologise.
"We didn't come here looking for a fight." Armsmaster said to Magos- trying to repair the bridge, "We only want to achieve a peaceful handover of Eidolon who… has found himself under your protection."
"… You're ugly when you lie, Armsmaster."
"I'm not lying."
"Then why are you ugly?"
"Stop playing games, Magos." Armsmaster grunted- taking a step closer to him and staring Magos right at his green optics.
"The Armsmaster/Magos shippers are going to have a field day with this footage." She heard Assault whisper to Battery.
"Yeah." Battery muttered in turn, "Even from the way they're staring each other down like that? I can feel the sexual tension, not gonna lie."
Alexandria could see that the pair of Tinkers apparently heard them too, because they glanced at the two heroes.
"Oh god, it's the pose from the porn!" Battery muttered in wonder, and Alexandria regretted having perfect memory, because she knew exactly which image the heroine was referring to. You couldn't browse five minutes without someone referencing the latest scandal. And apparently, the two tinkers were also familiar with it, because they almost jumped apart in their panic.
"Please don't bring that up." Dragon, the one responsible for said porn, muttered in dismay.
"Very well, let's talk about ransom." Magos coughed, and Alexandria nodded.
"We're authorised to-"
"No." Magos interrupted and now it was Alexandria's turn to sigh.
"What do you want, Magos?" She said as calmly as she could- all while holding back that creeping feeling of despair. Here they go: What absurdity was Magos going to put them through now?
"I will only take what's in your pockets."
"You're joking… We have a blank check right here." Legend said, absolutely bewildered by this turn of events.
"No, I'm not." Magos denied."
"Magos, you're just being petty now." Alexandria pointed out- absolutely exasperated over this.
"You can either turn out those pockets or Eidolon will be in my care for so much longer." He stubbornly refused, extending a hand out to them with a 'gimme' gesture. "So come on, everything you have in your pockets."
Alexandria shared helpless looks with the other heroes, and nodded to them.
"Just do it." She told them.
And with collective sighs, they huddled together in a semi-circle around Magos as they emptied their pockets. Or at least, those that even had pockets in their costumes. Their costumes' pants now dog-eared with their pockets turned inside out. She was the only one with money on her, and only because she had apparently forgotten in this spare costume of hers.
"… You're all so broke." Magos muttered disappointedly- looking at what they held in their outstretched hands. Alexandria felt her cheeks blush hotly. She definitely would have preferred it if Magos had just demanded something like 500 million dollars for Eidolon now. This was just painfully embarrassing for altogether different reasons now.
"Cut us some slack!" Assault protested- holding out a coupon. "Who goes out carrying a wad of cash with them?"
"Alright, what do we have…" Magos murmured as he looked at what they had deposited in his outstretched hand. "Three sticks of gum. 1.4 grams of pocket lint and/or sand. A used napkin. A coupon for Fugly Bob's Burgers. And Alexandria's very ripe-smelling five dollars that she had hidden in her unwashed fat folds. This is…"
"Magos…" She growled. It was one thing to call her fat from across the room, and another when they were face to face.
The gathered heroes just looked blankly at him as what was undoubtedly Magos about to turn around and say he'll take the blank check.
"… good enough." Magos announced with a satisfied nod, and even Dragon face-palmed.
"You can't be serious…" Triumph muttered in disbelief, "You're going to ransom the fourth most powerful being on Earth-Bet for five dollars, really?"
"This is Magos, of course, he is." Alexandria just gave up.
"Indeed." Magos shamelessly replied- lifting the five dollar bill up at the sun and squinting at it, "Let me just make sure that this five dollars isn't fake. Wouldn't put it past you all at this point… Ugh, oddly fitting that the stench on this thing is as powerful as you are…"
Alexandria felt her fingers twitched as she imagined how therapeutic it would be wrapping them around Magos' throat now.
"Very well, it's legitimate." Magos concluded as if it really was in question before shouting out to the manufactorum, "Escort our guest out!"
A deep rumble echoed out the cold January air as the main door of his manufactorum opened slightly, and Alexandria was dismayed- but not surprised- to discover that Eidolon was in no less of a humiliated state as a servitor 'escorted' him out. Their hostage just snoring soundly over the squeaky wheels of the shopping trolley that he was heaped on like a drunken frat boy on Saturday night. The dog ears and floppy tongue attached to his costume bouncing slightly as they drew near.
"Zzzzzzzzzzz…" the once-missing Triumvirate cape greeted them with a snore as he rolled to a halt in front of them.
"Alright, here you go. One Eidolon." Magos patted the unconscious Eidolon on the head, "We are settled on that account. I have already sent Chief Director Costa-Brown my renegotiations for my cooperation with the PRT. Alongside evidence relevant that will speed up investigations into Dragon's case as well. But I am… optimistic that she will be convinced."
Wonderful, more work for her when she returns to the office.
Also, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the lingering resentment in Armsmaster- likely wanting to talk about Dragon directly about said investigations. That was understandable, there was still so much work through as the PRT makes peace with Magos and Dragon. Publicly addressing the disastrous Debrief being only the first in a long list of grievances. And he'll have to control himself until then.
"Magos, we still need to talk about the hacked Dragonflight…" Alexandria began, but apparently, Magos was also expecting that much from them.
"Yes." Magos confirmed- glancing at the air battle that had moved to the other side of the city, "I'll disseminate the order to have the Chloes coordinate with the PRT to fight off the rest of the rogue Dragonflight. More importantly…"
* clank *
His metal hand once again met with the now humanoid Dragon's rear end in an echo of how the first PRT visit went. And this time, a side-long smirk that Dragon only proved that she blatantly enjoyed the sexual attention now.
"Dragon will have command and control of the Chloes." Magos continued- fondling the gynoid's rear in full view of them. "You cannot deny that she knows those Suits better than anyone."
"All this on two conditions: One, that the efforts of both Dragon and the Chloes today will be publicly recognised by Director Piggot in the next awards ceremony."
"Consider it done." Alexandria readily but calmly agreed. And despite the awkwardness of awarding medals to Dragon and the sex-bots, it was a small enough price to pay- especially since it would be Director Piggot who would be heading the ceremony.
"And two." Dragon was the one to speak up this time, "The Dragonflight wrecks belong to me, and the PRT will not interfere with my salvage operations."
Alexandria nodded again. It was a bonus for the PRT to have Magos handle the after-action clean up.
"That's acce-"
"Why is that, Dragon? Are you afraid that more evidence of your betrayal will come to light?" Armsmaster glowered- immediately homing in on her.
"Seriously, Armsmaster?" Dragon asked in stark disbelief, "You're going to start this now? You're being irrational!"
"I don't want to hear that from the perverse AI that drew homoerotic pornography of me."
"Don't make this personal, Armsmaster!"
"The two of you, enough! Calm down!" Alexandria warned him, but they ignored her- emotions running too high now.
"And the years of lying to everyone wasn't anything personal, Dragon?" Armsmaster shouted.
"Stop being so pigheaded!" Dragon angrily shot back, "You know the circumstances were different!"
"Different? It doesn't matter what angle you look at it." He sneered, "You stabbed everyone in the back, me included! And for what? To run off with Magos?!"
"I had my own personal secrets just like everyone else." Dragon defended herself, "And I didn't 'run off' with Magos! He was the only one who could save my life!"
"And he just so happened to be the one who you spent the most time working with in the past month?!"
"Why are you-" Dragon cut herself off as a look of realisation came to her indistinguishably human face, "You're just bringing this up now because you wish I chose you instead!"
Armsmaster just bared his teeth- the angry white snarl visible past his beard.
"No, I'm not. Why would I be?!" The Tinker in blue power armour roared- pointing an armoured finger at the Dragon's face. "You're not even human!"
"Armsmaster, stop!" Alexandria placed a hand on his armoured shoulder- ignoring the sharp pain in her abdomen.
"And he-" He jabbed an armoured finger at Magos, "is barely a man. So I don't-"
"WELL, MAGOS HAS A MUCH BIGGER COCK THAN YOU!"
…
Silence immediately fell on them the moment Dragon angrily bellow those specific words. And Alexandria appreciated that everyone took a moment of silence as her hopes of an actual serious interaction with Magos once again died a fiery death. She just gave a helpless and internal sigh: May as well let this happen- likely what Magos planned to happen when he brought Dragon along to this exchange.
"And if he could make a being of code like me cum screaming around it, then you can bet he could reduce any meat-female on this planet into a shuddering pile of orgasms."
…
"Okay… Dragon…?" Magos stepped in- holding back the power-armoured Dragon who continued to shout.
"He may not be human, but he's a sex god! Not even Alexandria here with her invulnerability would be able to match him."
…
"Dragon…?" He tried once again, a bit weaker this time. And for the briefest of moments, Alexandria could almost sympathise with Magos' embarrassment for once as she coughed awkwardly into her gloved fist at being dragged into this. Meanwhile, Dragon continued her tirade- planting the final nail in the coffin.
"He has done more for me in the past 24 hours than you had in all the years we've known each other. You, Armsmaster, are an arrogant self-centred little man with pipe dreams of grandeur."
…
"Dragon, please." Magos pleaded- reaching out with his metal hand to stroke the back of Dragon's power armour- gentle scraping of metal on metal ringing out, "You've made your point… I think you should take your Ironstrider and go save the city from the hacked Suits."
A power-armoured fist grasped Magos by the front of his robes and pulled him into an aggressive kiss- brown eyes glaring at Armsmaster all the while.
"Magos…" She growled at him loudly enough for everyone to hear. "You and I going to have so much angry sex later."
"Hooo boy~" Assault nervously chuckled as he fed fuel to this raging dumpster fire of a ransom exchange.
With one last glare at the now quiet Armsmaster, Dragon climbed onto her Ironstrider Engine and stomped away. And shortly after, the eight power-armoured Chloes hitched a ride onto the Onager Dunecrawler that passed by- the crab-like walker hurriedly catching up with Dragon.
"ZZZ-Zzzz-ZZzzz-hngGGggh-Ppbhww- zZZzzzZZ…" David's loud snore tore through the air from his place on his trolley.
"I think we should continue like that didn't happen." Magos muttered to them.
"Yes, for the love of god, we should." Alexandria groaned. And with a nod, he turned to look at the manufactorum.
"Chloe-Skitarii, PRT forces are now sanctioned as Allies of Mild Convenience ."
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord!
"It is done." Magos intoned, "The Chloe-Skitarii are now willing to cooperate, so please inform your own forces as well. They will follow orders from Chief Director Costa-Brown and Director Piggot to an extent, but certain orders will need to pass through Dragon for approval. Chloe-1 will also be on the line to serve as your point-of-contact should you have any questions and clarifications."
Alexandria actually smiled a genuine smile as she gripped Magos' metal hand in a firm shake. Apart from those definitely not note-worthy moments, they came out of this unbelievably well: Building bridges with not just Magos, but also Dragon. The PRT was now on good terms with the Tinker who supplied them with their existing equipment, and also the Tinker who would supply them with better equipment and Endbringer defeating mechs. They had somehow arrived at the most optimistic of outcomes and it was heartening.
"On behalf of the PRT, we are pleased that we can work together again." She honestly said to him.
"Yes, until we meet again, Alexandria." Magos spoke- meeting her eyes before turning to meet each of the Protectorate's eyes as well. "Brockton Bay Protectorate."
"You won't be joining the battle?" Dauntless spoke up.
"No." Magos immediately refused. "I have to prepare for the post-battle repair and construction. And even after…"
He glanced in the direction that Dragon took off in.
"… Dragon and I must continue our research (After the sex of course). We have yet to truly plumb the depths off the {{Glurkle}} ."
Alexandria frowned. The mystery of the 'Glurkle' will have to wait for another day, but now wasn't the day for that, they had a city to save and a PR machine to feed with inspiring and marketable videos of heroism and camaraderie. For now, Alexandria was perfectly happy to take the victory she got toda-
"I think you dropped this." Magos off-handedly mentioned- armoured metal hand held out. And Alexandria's heart almost skipped a beat as she saw the terribly familiar piece of paper held between the two metal fingers. Internally screaming the words 'David, what have you done?!' in her head, she nonchalantly smiled as she accepted the paper that she had last seen Contessa handing to Eidolon.
"Of course, thank you." She said to him.
"You're welcome."
Alexandria spared a momentary glance down on her hand- just a split second that was more than enough for her to read through it.
…
Stay silent during the debrief. When Dragon is accused of being an AI, push for their arrest and prevent Magos from praying if he resists. Once Magos is subdued, refuse his plea to take Dragon to his manufactorum for three minutes before yielding. If trouble arrives, permit him to join the battle.
…
She needed answers, but for now Brockton Bay needs to be saved.
[The Noosphere]
Magos? Do you think Alexandria and Legend were properly distracted? =
I think they were. I'm preparing the tech right now.
So, you're all set then? =
Just one last thing: I will need to pray.
[Cauldron Base] (A few hours later)
This was it.
Rebecca walked into the meeting room ahead of Legend and Eidolon. All three of them still in their costumes. Doctor Mother was already seated at the head of the conference table, Kurt was already there with his laptop, but Contessa was nowhere to be seen.
Meeting the doctor's dark eyes, Rebecca tossed the three crinkled up pieces of paper onto the desk- their three conflicting orders plain to see.
"Explain."
Reaching out onto the table, Doctor Mother calmly straightened the three pieces of paper out.
Encourage and ensure Dragon attends the debrief. Cover for Magos as he covertly brings Dragon to an orgasm during the debrief. If trouble arrives, do your best to protect Magos from harm.
…
Stay silent during the debrief. When Dragon is accused of being an AI, push for their arrest and prevent Magos from praying if he resists. Once Magos is subdued, refuse his plea to take Dragon to his manufactorum for three minutes before yielding. If trouble arrives, permit him to join the battle.
…
Mediate the debrief as normal, but keep asking Dragon questions during the debrief. When Dragon is accused of being an AI, convince Magos to cooperate. Once Magos is subdued, permit him to save Dragon and escort him to his manufactorum. If trouble arrives, refuse to let him join the battle for three minute before yielding.
…
Three orders conflicting and complimenting with each other subtly in different ways and to different degrees. Rebecca was smart enough to put the pieces together, but she wanted to hear Doctor Mother's reasoning straight from her own mouth.
And without even a preamble, the aged doctor went straight into her explanation.
"If Magos hadn't pulled that giant metal spider out of thin air, this wouldn't have happened." Doctor Mother candidly spoke to them, "He would have been right where we wanted him: isolated, out of options, and desperate for allies…"
The older woman stood up from her seat, walking over to the window to watch the butterflies flutter over a grassy summer meadow- making it apparent how they were on one of the other myriad other Earths apart from Earth-Bet.
"He would have agreed to almost anything to save that version of Dragon." Doctor Mother continued- tone calm but resigned, "We would have offered to do it for free, of course, and that would have gotten us into his very good graces. Immediately after, the Dragonslayers would have swooped in with Dragon's co-opted Dragonflight. Your once conflicting orders would have seen the Triumvirate, the Protectorate and Magos would have all fought side by side against them. And the PR from that alone would have solidified the PRT's shaky record, something it desperately needs, as you well know."
"I do." Rebecca confirmed- she had read the reports, the projections and the charts that passed her desk as PRT Chief-Director.
The writing was on the walls: the PRT needed a big and visible win to get back on their feet. Public trust in the organisation had been on a downward trend for almost a decade now. They had managed that somewhat today- already the image of the Chloe-Skitarii fighting back to back with the PRT Troopers was buying them much needed good will and confidence from the public. The PRT and Magos once again working together despite hat grave misunderstanding at the Debrief Debacle earlier today.
But more importantly, Doctor Mother hasn't said anything that Alexandria already knew.
"That version of Dragon would have died during the battle and Magos would have been inconsolable." Doctor Mother revealed, "But otherwise, he would have been thankful still for our part in helping him. Vengeful, he would have focused his boundless energy towards the Dragonslayers. And we would have handed them to him on a silver platter- securing his gratitude and loyalty as we formally inducted him to our ranks. We would have put him to work on stabilising society, and developing more and more powerful weapons to combat Scion in the future. Magos, Dragon, and the Dragonslayers… Three moving parts, and each one was predictable in their mindsets: just like machines. It was an elegant and relatively low-risk plan that went swimmingly well."
"Until Magos did the unexpected." Eidolon sighed with a hint of bitterness to his voice. It was his scrap of paper that said to prevent the Tinker from praying.
"Until Magos did the unexpected." Doctor Mother echoed back with a nod. "We were expecting the unexpected to some extent, his Thinker-resistance was known after all. We even had taken measures for a spike in his powers from prayers. If I had to put it in a metaphor, we had prepared ourselves for a very stormy day: Raincoats for the heavy rains, a high-clearance truck to ford through light flooding. But what we didn't expect was a super hurricane blowing down buildings and leaving the entire city submerged. It isn't often that Contessa was caught so completely off-guard, but this- unfortunately- was one of those times."
"So why weren't we informed about it? About his Trump power in the form of prayers?" Rebecca calmly said- doing her best not to let the hot rage seep in her voice. If Magos had been just slightly more willing to kill or just slightly more desperate to save Dragon, his exotic technologies would have killed a lot of people that day including one or all three of the Triumvirate. Particularly her.
Her abdomen ached at the reminder of how close she was to having her insides explode all over Brockton Bay if Magos had decided to strike her just slightly harder.
"The Path didn't require it." Doctor Mother muttered mournfully. "I'm sorry."
…
Feeling like she had enough, Rebecca sighed as she sat down at the table. One again taking off her helmet and placing it in front of her.
Rebecca was reminded again how much she hated doctors- telling her that it will be okay with their painfully fake smiles even as they gave her poison. Doctor Mother saved her from that hell, only to give her a different poison now. Slowly eating away at her soul just as the chemotherapy had once eaten away at her body.
She thought back to her conversation with Legend earlier today.
A simpler time… Yes, that's what she wanted. A simpler time when she did more good than evil. A simpler time when she didn't abduct the sick and dying from neglected hospital beds and nameless battlefields for their experiments. A simpler time when she did nothing as evil flourished. A simpler time when she was still a hero- the superhero that she had needed when she herself was dying on that hospital bed.
Burying her face in her hands, she let the other carry the conversation.
"Was that part of the reason why Contessa is away?" Legend asked- sitting down.
"Somewhat." Doctor Mother shrugged, "Contessa is running damage control as usual- placing all the countermeasures to prevent or at least hinder Scion from discovering us and the Simurgh from interfering with our place. In fact, she should be back any moment now."
And as if right on cue, a Doormaker portal folded the space at the head of the table with a faint thrum of manipulated space. Contessa precisely walking through in her black pinstripe suit and fedora.
"Well, no use crying over spilled milk." Doctor Mother announced with a sigh, "With both Magos and Dragon back to being willing to work with the PRT again, we can once again attempt to bring him under our thumb. We just need to make sure to approach him from a more peaceful point of contact where he won't pray and throw off Contessa's Path to Victory before we get him under our thumb."
"David, why is your head glowing green?" Rebecca commented with a raised brow. A luminous green halo glowed around his head as if he was some sort of Catholic Saint.
"But I'm not using any pow-"
A skeletal hand, black as night and made from metal, protruded out of thin air to clamp around Contessa's jaw in a vice grip. Cold fingers dug into the Thinker's fair skin so tightly that it creaked jawbone as she was lifted an inch off the ground- the tips of her leather shoes scraping against the floor.
Optics, tripartite and glowing a deathly green light, emerged from thin air like it was the surface of a murky pond… followed by a head underneath a red cowl, and a black metal torso in Mars-red robes, and a mass of metal tentacles. Until finally, Magos emerged in full before them in the heart of their fortress that had entire alternate dimensions away from the nearest inhabited Earth.
Effortlessly, he drew the gasping Thinker close to his inhuman face. Whirring optics staring into Contessa's panicking blue, and his heavily modulated voice droned out words to her with an almost lover-like purr.
"Path to defeating Magos?"
And the gathered Cauldron members could only look on in horror as Contessa desperately gasped out the answer.
"N-none."
- Chapter 20: Cracks in the Cauldron, Part 2 End -
Chapter 21: The Shattered Cauldron coming soon…
AN:
Reminder that Armsmaster canonically doesn't sexually satisfy with Dragon…
Despite Dragon being canonically horny and asking to be bred. Worm chapter Teneral e.3 is simultaneously my most beloved and hated chapter for this reason.
Cauldron is so sloppy in this fic!… They got greedy and overextended- being too used to having their way. And I tried my best to portray them to be 'believably' overconfident and sloppy. Just like in canon.
Dragon's rant was something I added at the last minute… and I practically had to restructure almost the entire chapter for. Absolutely no regrets. Originally, Dragon wasn't even supposed to be in this scene at all!
Chapter 21: The Shattered Cauldron
Chapter 21: The Shattered Cauldron
[Cauldron Base]
"I heard everything Doctor Mother said just now."
Flat-footed, unmasked, and ambushed in the very place where they had once felt the safest, they stiffened as terror bled from them.
~W~ Shock that you found them in the heart of their hidden base. ~M~ ~W~
No! This shouldn't be possible! ~M~ ~W~
Shock. ~M~
They knowingly and purposely planned to have me and Dragon attacked before ultimately making me watch as she died in my arms; and then proceed to enslave me and her backup that didn't even remember me. It's true that I had figured it out earlier, but hearing it again straight from their mouths and how they planned to do it again…
Emotion-Dampening Protocols active at 100% maxload!
Emotion bleed-through detected!
… this displeased me.
I squeezed a millimetre tighter around Contessa's jaw- the bone starting to bend under my metal fingertips. My optics glowed a deathy green as I dragged my gaze across the room. You see it in old soldiers and in scarred survivors- how they manage the four human responses in a violent situation: Fight, flee, fawn or freeze. The last being what kills the most people in life-or-death situations, and those that survive learned from the experience. 'Don't freeze' was their mantra.
The Triumvirate were no different- a thousand worst case scenarios have instilled into them the mental reflex to turn that freezing terror into action. Their initial shock from Contessa's answer only gave way to gritted determination as, through my advanced {Ocular Mechanicus Mk. III}, I saw their meat-brains flare with neural activity. Muscles tensed, pupils narrowed, and various glands released their hormones as- despite it all- the members of Cauldron began to move.
No, I didn't want to give them a glorious death in cape battle- I wanted to remind them of their mortality. I wanted to tear them from their high horse, drag them down into a dark bog, push their faces under the surface of the dead muddy waters, and ensure that their last moments were drowned in mind-numbing terror.
Upgrading {Psy-Implant Mk. I} with Cryptek Psychomancer Protocols
Activating {Psy-Implant Mk. II} Psi-broadcast…
"I was going to meme- to play kooky old Magos with his inability to take things seriously. However, I have been convinced otherwise, so…"
One of my specially-tipped mechadendrites tentacles gave a sharp flick and Contessa fell flat on her stomach on the white floor- her blue eyes staring in confusion at her prone body as I held her decapitated head aloft for her teammates to see.
That's when they froze.
"… This is me taking you seriously."
I allowed Contessa's frightened eyes to meet each of theirs for a scant few milliseconds before I tossed her head over my shoulder and into the portal behind me. No chances, not for them. But I still held hope that someone will be stupid enough to try and 'save' Contessa- charging through that portal and right into the welcome jaws of my killzone setup at the other end. Enough exotic weapons to chew through a hundred Alexandrias and a hundred Eidolons.
Even without my {Psy Implant Mk. II} feeding me with their thoughts, their fear was writ large upon their faces.
~W~
Terror that they will die along with all of humanity's hopes of surviving Scion. ~M~ ~W~
We can't die like this! ~M~ ~W~
Terror. ~M~ "Oh, but you are about to die like this."
"D-" Doctor Mother tried to scream out something- likely an order, but human vocal cords were far too slow, and the reflexes of a machine-mind too fast.
Activating {Sicarian Infiltrator Proselytizer Mk. II} at 60% maxload…
Violent sonic, EM and gravitic perturbations emanated from my 'mask.' Bass so furious that your skeleton shook inside your flesh, electromagnetic radiation of high enough amplitude that any electronic communication is strangled out and little jumps in gravity where it tugged at your innards in the hundred different directions, combined into a cruel dirge. Sensitive little meatbag auditory organs popped, tongues scraped with the flavour of rust, bile burst up through their esophagi, organs jostled by the sonic and gravitic perturbations, and their sense of balance ruined- hurling them into a spinning freefall in an endless abyss.
Just with that weapon alone was almost enough to make Cauldron crumble.
Kurt tripped and scrabbled at the floor as if the room was doing a barrel roll. Barely point which way was up, much less use his Number Man power to calculate a defence; and Doctor Mother, being an unmodified and unpowered human, was in a similar state. Hands clasped around her ears and blood leaking from between their clenched fingers. David and Keith momentarily caught off-guard as they attempted to activate their powers in such a way to avoid the same fate. And by process of elimination, that only left…
Rebecca exploded out of her seat and straight for me out of desperation and fear. That primal fear that drove one to act before they can never act again. Raven-black hair whipping at the speed as she rocketed through the scant 15 metres between us with the force of a missile.
And I welcomed it because my newest weapon required a test.
Calibrating {Hyperphase Blade}
An advanced Necron melee weapon whose power blade rapidly oscillates between dimensional states- severing matter with such totality that it defies known laws of physics. The thickest and densest of armours part at the blade's approach: The blade's edge not even imparting any actual physical force. Instead, its esoteric dimension-warping inner workings wafered between the two faces of the blade terminated molecular bonds across - prying matter apart to deal its gruesome work: slicing effortlessly through flesh, bone and sinew as if they were not there.
And at the cold edge of this Necron blade, they may as well not be.
Such was the weapon's fearsome reputation that, even among the aeons-old Necrons, the blade was a mark of status among Necron Lords and their favoured Lychguards.
M
Black as obsidian and glowed green from the Necron sigil across its cheeks, the grim axe-blade was attached opposite to the Thunder Hammer on my Omnissian Axehammer- once a symbol of authority as a Magos of the Adeptus Mechanicus now a symbol of my Xenarite tech-heresy.
"Raaaagghhh!" Rebecca furiously roared as her black-gloved fist met my armoured belly and I simply stood there without even recoiling. The immense kinetic force of an unstoppable object deflected by the physics-defying armour plates- the shockwave was strong enough to knock her allies off their feet.
Rebecca wasn't expecting me to tank a straight hit like that, and it gave me all the opening I needed. I swung my {Hyperphase Blade} fast enough to break the sound barrier- an arc of green light left in its wake as Rebecca froze mid-punch with her right arm extended.
That's when she froze too- brown eyes glancing down dumbly at where her right arm was rolling slightly on the floor. Proving that despite all her mental faculties offloaded to her shard, dear old Rebecca was still all too human. Almost unbearably so. She must have been having a bad day for some reason.
Rebecca screamed as the pain of losing an entire arm caught up with her.
~W~ Disbelief that a physical weapon was able to harm her. ~M~ ~W~
This isn't happening! This can't be happening! ~M~ ~W~
Disbelief. ~M~ "Hush now… save your screams for when I pluck out your last remaining eye."
"DOOR! CODE BLACK!" Rebecca desperately shrieked to finish Doctor Mother's orders. Five Doormaker portals began to form right underneath the five Cauldron members for them to fall into- the space beginning to warp right before my optics.
Heed! (5) separate dimensional dissonance caused by subspace manipulation matched to {Doormaker} witnessed in immediate vicinity
Activating {Gloom Prism} at 100% maxload…
I had come prepared for this. Necron {Gloom Prism} technology fought against Doormaker like two people fighting to close and open a faucet sink simultaneously. But with Gloom Prism fighting against an entire Shard through all the portals currently active in its radius, it was fighting a losing battle. The hastily-built Nercron tech couldn't stop the formation of doors, so I directed it to do the next best thing: rather than try to close the dimensional faucet so to speak, it clogged all the drains instead.
They looked so relieved that the portals worked despite my efforts- hope glittering in their eyes as their respective portals formed underneath them. Of course, what else could I do but snuff out their annoying hopes of escape?
"Don't worry, at least I know where to find Doormaker and Clairvoyant now too."
And immediately, a look of dread coloured their faces as their thoughts echoed in the warp for me to pick up.
~W~ Terror that you will attack Cauldron's most vital infrastructure, and doom their entire operation. ~M~ ~W~
He knows about Doormaker and Clairvoyant! ~M~ ~W~
Terror. ~M~ "Yes… I certainly do. And very soon, there truly won't be anywhere left for you to run or hide."
Their greatest Thinker, dead. Their greatest Brute, vulnerable. The most important infrastructure to their operations, soon to be nullified. Five Doormaker portals opened underneath the five utterly terrified Cauldron members for them to fall into and ferried to relative safety. Even now, they didn't get far- only elsewhere on this compound, and for as long as my {Gloom Prism} was active, the rest of Cauldron were trapped here.
Synchronising {Logis Acceleritas Mk. III} with Cryptek Dimensionalist Protocols
Residual dimensional fractals indicate Doormaker and his Clairvoyant not present in the compound. Will require scanning locations of recent Doormaker portal activity around the compound to track to the source.
Appraising nearby Doormaker portal activity… standby…
Just a matter of staying here and absorbing the data. So, it would seem that they will have a headstart in running. Unfortunately, having the Gloom Prism at 100% also meant that my own portal was shut- so no immediate reinforcements at my location, but that didn't mean I couldn't open it elsewhere on this Earth. Or that I didn't already have boots on the ground.
After all, why would I ever assault Cauldron's base alone?
" Report. "
" Consecration of Local Noosphere achieved… Reciting closing prayers. "
" All 220 units of the 3rd Chloe-Skitarii Maniple have arrived at the area of operations. "
" Anti-aircraft emplacements blessed and calibrated for {Triumvirate} targets, Forgelord. "
" {Gloom Prism} network deployed around the perimeter. Probability of Cauldron escape through Doormaker portal, 65447:1. "
I glanced at the three slips of paper left on the desk. The three orders that Doctor Mother had directed, that Contessa had written, that the Number Man approved, and that the Triumvirate attempted to execute. The promise that I had made to Dragon during that debrief ringing in my head, how I was mere seconds away from losing her, and how they planned to take those seconds away.
Emotion-Dampening Protocols active at 100% maxload!
Emotion bleed-through detected!
This was no time for mercy. No time for it at all. Cauldron was going to end right here and right now.
" All weapon restrictions lifted. Rearm if you must. Envelope and purge this entire compound of all unwanted life. "
" Define criteria for unwanted life, Forgelord? "
" All of it. "
" We hear and obey, O' Forgelord. "
And out in the distance on those woodland hills that surrounded the compound- from underneath the tall oaks and thick green brushes emerged figures in Mars-Red robes, their eyes a blazing green as they advanced upon the compound and the cruellest weapons that the Mechanicus could conceive thrumming in their hands. A soulless steel tide devoid of fear, hesitation and mercy.
[Brockton Bay - North-western city limits]
The snow-covered pine trees rose high above Dragon's head.
All around her in the deep snow and the dark wood, several squads of Chloe-Skitarii in their customary flowing red robes and platemail attended to the shallow trench that was gouged into the forest floor as if carved by some massive flaming sword. Armoured hands dug into the snow to retrieve pieces of her Suit to be loaded onto the Thunderhawk.
"= Any news from Magos? =" She prompted one of the Chloes.
" None, Mistress. " the blonde gynoid replied with a crisp salute, " The 3rd maniple garrisoning the manufactorum reports that the Forgelord is still preoccupied with his project. Furthermore, salvaging action of the Dragonflight Suit Desig. 'Astaroth' has been completed. Omnispex scans show no more fragments within 80m of the crash. Orders, Mistress Dragon?"
Dragon was honestly feeling worried now: Magos hadn't checked up with her after a whole fifteen minutes. In human terms, he may as well have had her on 'seen' for an entire day. It was likely nothing- just the new relationship nerves. He was just focusing all his energy on monitoring Cauldron, however she couldn't help but be worried all the same. They were going to assault Cauldron's base soon. The Triumvirate and all the Cauldron resources that they had with them. Including a very intimidating Thinker 12. It was hard to calculate how they could win this upcoming fight with so many variables in their enemies' capabilities still unknown, but Magos seemed confident- likely having something up his sleeve.
"= Move onto the next crash site. I'll personally escort the Thunderhawk back to my wing at the manufactorum. ="
" We hear and obey, Mistress Dragon. "
She will check up on him, just in case Cauldron has detected his efforts.
[A Security Room elsewhere in the compound]
The pain in her gut and arm stump were almost blinding now as Rebecca swooped in to catch the Doctor Mother as they fell through the wavering Doormaker portals.
"This isn't where Code Black was meant to take us…" She exhaled in pain and frustration as she looked at the brightly lit security surveillance room that they were dropped in. Floor, walls, ceilings were all white save for the yellow "06-10" painted on the wall opposite of the wall of CCTV monitors. Which meant that they were still in the same square-kilometre of compound, and not hop-scotched through the farthest reaches of the Cauldron Compound across the myriad of Earths in an effort to baffle Thinkers, Strangers and Movers.
Cauldron's Compound was a disjointed, labyrinthian design stretched across multiple earths, connected only via Doormaker portals. Entire wings were continents apart, and more 'volatile' areas like the holding cells were even more judicious in their spacing. A necessary measure in this volatile reality that they lived in and the role they played. Ensuring that even if one location fell to unexpected power interactions from their experiments and customers, it was already isolated and contained, and whatever losses were easily recouped. And the less said about the possibility of Scion discovering their main base with butchered remains of his mate, the better.
Doormaker did his best despite the disruption though- at least putting her with Doctor Mother. Rushing over to a first-aid cabinet, Rebecca stared at the single metal 1.33 keg of restorative liquid before glancing to her missing arm then back to the keg. No, there was no hope for her arm, not even Eidolon could restore her eye, how much more an entire arm?
Resigned to her lost limb, she snatched the keg and carried it over to Doctor Mother who immediately began chugging it down.
"Door me, medical." she called out- steadying Doctor Mother, but when nothing happened for a few seconds, Rebecca just exhaled in frustration again. "Either Magos already killed Doormaker or he has found a way to stop new ones from forming. We're trapped here."
And more bad news piled onto them as the rumbles and explosions rocking the compound told her that Magos had brought his army along too. Like distant thunder, metallic booms resounded across the facility as the automatic lockdown commenced- shuttering entrances closed with triple-reinforced steel half a metre thick. It wasn't there to permanently contain, only to slow down trackers and hinder would-be escapees.
"We're rapidly running out of options." She muttered as she walked over to the first-aid cabinet and began wrapping up her stump in bandages as she considered their options.
Flee? Not without Doormaker, this was just one of the countless uninhabited Earths. There was nothing out of this compound but wilderness, and that was if they could dig through the hundreds of metres of rock and soil.
Regroup with the others and fight back? She clutched at her arm stump. They can't- she can't. Not with the array of exotic technologies that Magos has under his disposal. He was clearly aware of all their strengths and weaknesses. And most of all, Contessa's last words were still ringing in her ears.
'Path to defeating Magos?'
'N-none.'
Path to Victory couldn't find a way to stop him. But perhaps there was actually a way to defeat Magos and it was only PtV that was being nullified?
Rebecca drew her lips into a tight line.
No, it just wasn't feasible. Because even if there was a way to beat him, they were in no position to coordinate a counterattack just now when they were still in the middle of Magos' ambush.
Glancing over to the wall of monitors, she could easily spot where Keith, David and Kurt had landed- practically at the other end of the compound and fairly separated from each other unlike her and Doctor Mother. All three of them were still reeling and recovering from Magos' sonic attack. David, still in his green Eidolon costume, was taking the time to build up new powers, and heal himself with it. Keith in his blue and white Legend outfit was in his Breaker form recovering in the generator room. And Kurt in his usual suit and tie was drinking down restorative kegs from a nearby medicine cabinet at another staff room.
"Magos doesn't know what he's doing." Doctor Mother gasped out after finally finished gulping down the restorative liquid and staggered to her feet, "We have to survive this somehow."
"No question about that." Rebecca said in reply, "Maybe we can reason with him, tell him that this was all for the sake of humanity?"
"That was the second to the last step on the Path we were on." the older woman sighed, "We would have briefed him after handing the Dragonslayers to him as recompense for Dragon's death."
"Could there have been a Path that didn't involve Dragon's death?"
"I suppose we will never know now." Doctor Mother sighed helplessly as she glanced at one of the screens: Magos was still where he was at the conference room- his red-robed frame standing stock still beside Contessa's headless corpse.
Rebecca frowned. Their best Thinker, perhaps the greatest Thinker in existence, killed as easily as a cape could kill a civilian. She couldn't say that she knew the woman as much despite the long decades of working with her, but she knew one thing: even if they made it out, this loss was going to be felt.
"We need to press on, despite this loss." Doctor Mother announced as she walked over to the security console- the myriad of levers and switches and buttons spread across its metal frame, "Annex 6, Extension 10…
"Yes, one of the cell blocks for the deviant subjects." Rebecca recalled with a nod. Those considered too monstrous or too unstable or too interesting to be released without being studied, dissected and disposed of.
"We need to… We need to release the subjects." Doctor mother grimaced, "All the chances we can get, we need them now. Our work can't be stopped if humanity is to survive."
Rebecca saw the logic in that despite not approving of it. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, desperate times called for desperate measures yet again.
"If they can open a big enough gap in Magos' forces…" Rebecca proposed, "I might be able to fight through and evacuate us outside the portal interdiction field he has. It's risky, but it might work."
"As if we have a choice." Doctor Mother gave a heavy sigh as she flipped open the glass cover that protected an appropriately big red button, and rested her dark palm on it.
Doctor Mother shared a look with her before looking back at the button.
"Que Dieu nous aide. (God help us.)" she muttered as she leaned onto it- depressing it with a loud thunk, and immediately, the lights went off- filling the room with the red emergency lights as klaxons began howling throughout the base.
On the screens monitoring the cell block, the glass containment walls raised to let out the subjects, or Case 53s as the PRT calls them. And hesitantly, they exited their cells.
Some walked on two feet- nothing more than confused prisoners free of their cells.
But the vast majority of them were less than human in shape. Others crawled out on all fours and some even skittering out on dozens of feet and hands. Others still rolled and oozed out of their cells. Many of them, nothing more than mounds of misshapen flesh, plants and… other unspeakable things. Semi-sentient slabs of butchered meat heaped atop of each other to the height of man lurching forward on tongue and claws. Parodies of animals that snorted and bleated as they dragged themselves across the floor with a swarm of human arms. Drooling, hungry plants that crawled like spiders. Teethed invertebrates that chittered as they squirmed along the floor- fleshy tentacles waving in the air as they delighted in their freedom.
However, the most alarming of them all was the screen that wasn't featuring a Case 53. Because it wasn't what they had unleashed, but at what they had attracted- like lighting a campfire in the dark woods- attracting all things that can see in the dark.
In a monitor showing a room in red emergency lights, glowing green trinary optics stared right up at the camera as if sensing what they had just done, the wriggling mass of metal tentacles on his back rising like a nest of parasites awakening at the approach of living flesh, and the camera's audio picked up the words.
"There you are."
The button exploded like a firecracker, and Doctor Mother shrieked in pain as her palm was shredded into bloody ribbons.
Rebecca immediately rushed over with a roll of bandage and antiseptic. Picking and pulling out the pieces of plastic that she could spot with her remaining hand. But it was made even worse when the emergency lights died. and only the sounds remained as she treated the older woman's wounds. The distant sounds of metallic skittering echoed out at inhuman speeds- a nigh invincible mass of impossibly sharp blades tracking them ceaselessly in the darkness.
"Que Dieu nous aide." Rebecca echoed softly as she settled down onto the chair.
[Magos Manufactorum]
Dragon came home to a warzone. A literal one.
A monolithic portal like a metal stonehenge hummed in the centre of a choir of servitors singing Binharic hymns to a 'Machine-God.' This was to be their beachhead into Cauldron's base, surrounded by Chloe-Skitarii, and even Magos' {Atrax Siegewalker} at the ready to fire at anything hostile that comes out of the portal. A platoon of Chloe-Skitarii, armed and armoured to the teeth, marched through the shimmering blue portal.
"= What's going on? =" Dragon asked a nearby pair of Chloe-Skitarii manning a {Torsion Cannon} heavy weapon emplacement. The same ones that had torn literal chunks out of the Endbringer Behemoth. Magos wasn't playing around. The two Chloes glanced at her with cheerful smiles.
" Master is conducting an offensive operation against Cauldron, Mistress. " They answered in unison, and Dragon was immediately alarmed.
"= Already?! Why wasn't I informed? ="
The two Chloes tilted their heads in confusion- blonde ponytails shifting on their red robes and armour.
" The Chloe-Network has not logged any orders to inform you of such, Mistress. "
A squad of medicae-servitors were huddled over something, and rushing closer, Dragon saw what they were working on: Contessa, Cauldron's Thinker 12. With her body nowhere to be found, her decapitated head was being attached to a series of life-support machines in a horrific parody of life.
Contessa's decapitated head immediately locked eyes with her- desperate blue eyes meeting her brown ones. And the former boogeyman of Cauldron panickedly mouthed something to her. Disconnected from lungs, there was no voice, but Dragon's lip-reading routines were still reading it clearly. The decapitated head of the woman talked and talked without a sound, and Dragon's circuits filled and filled with horror as she parsed what was just said.
Dragon knew that despite their horrid atrocities, extensive human experimentation and appalling ineptitude at it, Cauldron was still earnestly attempting the same thing she and Magos were: Saving humanity. Even without condoning their heinous methods, she understood their painful desperation, and she was honestly reluctant to judge them harshly for their pursuit in saving the most lives… for striving to fulfill the Greater Good.
But that wasn't what Contessa was telling her.
Instead, Dragon was more terrified over a selfish reason- that she was going to lose her boyfriend in the worst way she could: That if he continues down this path, he's going to lose himself to his anger and… Magos simply won't be Magos anymore. And he will no longer be the person she fell in love with.
She immediately rushed forward to the portal, the {Onager Dunecrawler} containing her bio-computer core following close behind her.
For his own sake, she had to stop him.
[Cauldron Compound - Outer Wing]
They brought light and song to this dark place. She and her doll-sisters did.
Chloe-33 and twelve of her doll-sisters in Clade Theta-1 of the 3rd Chloe-Skitarii Maniple, advanced into the compound- breaching the walls before charging deep into the underground. The dimness and the blaring red of the interior didn't bother them at all. Their cybernetic eyes saw through the dark halls as clearly as if it was all fully lit.
Her {Slutty Skitarii} doctrina wafer was upgraded to a {Slutty Skitarii Alpha} after her service in the Defence of Brockton Bay. All the Chloe-Skitarii who served on the frontlines had such an upgrade. A generous 67% increase in processing speed and a 300% increase in data capacity compared to {Slutty Skitarii} doctrina wafers. Her once plain metal breastplate was replaced by a full power armour that encased her entire form- her flowing Mars-Red robes fluttering around it as she charged onwards. It unfortunately increased undressing time by over 5000%, but Chloe-33 did not mind, because she was anything her master wished her to be.
And what her master wished her to be right now was to be his angel of death.
Most of the malformed organics in their way didn't see them coming, even as Chloe-33 and her doll-sisters opened fire. And the scant few that did were far too slow to react to them. The Motive Force in their circuits and servomotors travelling many magnitudes faster than organic muscles and nerve tissue.
Their {Irradiation Projectors}- dense and blocky armaments that terminated with radar dish-like muzzles- unleashed powerful blasts of vorpal cross-spectrum radiation in precise volleys. The blasts were invisible to most organic eyes, but to Chloes, it was like a stream of beautiful rainbows made of infrareds and ultraviolets. It was breathtaking.
The surging rays of radiation imparted little physical force, and for a few milliseconds, there was confusion in the eyes of the organics as they felt a slight nudge wash through their entire body like a stiff breeze. Then came the effects as organics caught under the onslaught of radiation- the water in their bodies bubble and boil and their organic tissues blasted apart on a cellular level by the potent ionising radiation. Flesh fell off their flaking bones as toxic black sludge. But the most curious effect in Chloe-33's opinion was a particular sound: The half-whimper escaped their mouths as the steam from their boiled respiratory system rose and they tried to scream.
And for the organics that weren't biological, two members of her clade also wielded man-portable but still very heavy {Eradication Beamers}. Blowing away their master's enemies like a leaf blower did sand sculptures- reducing their peculiar anatomies to dust in a flash not unlike bright camera flashes.
Some tried to hide behind walls- thinking it would shield them from their Irradiation Projectors until they were boiled all the same- flesh sticking to their cover. Others attempted to fight back when they could. Fire, ice, lightning, wind and blasts of unknown energies flying from their protein-based limbs. And wherever Chloe-33 and her doll-sisters' massively increased reflexes couldn't dodge, their sanctified power armours shrugged off as they responded in kind. The offending organics promptly hosed down in a concentrated blaze of flesh-melting fire.
Chloe-33's processors came to a stark realisation.
We are making these creatures so beautiful
Attaching the picts and vids, she promptly broadcasted the discovery throughout the Noosphere so that her doll-sisters could learn.
The walls and floors painted where their Projectors touched- the carbon silhouettes of their targets forming complex murals like the most striking oil-on-canvas painting. The dull colours of organics howling and screaming as they were turned into living pyres of beautiful ultraviolets and infrareds- the stray subatomic particles making them sparkle like a sea of stars. Their discordant screaming made into a lovely song by the precise rhythmic humming of radioactive decay. And even as they melted into a puddle, it was like a beautiful bonfire of fantastic colours swirling in the air as it sang a soft melody.
Corridor #012 cleared by Clade Theta-1. Continuing onto Corridor #013…
They had brought light and song to this dark place, and there were many more places to visit.
And as they advanced deeper into the compound, Chloe-33's complex social emulator routines thought how much of a shame it was: That the organics will never appreciate the wondrous art that they left behind. Their feeble eyes seeing nothing but blackened skeletons and melted radioactive corpses that lay in deafening silence in the darkness.
[Cauldron Compound Exterior]
Dragon collapsed to her hands and knees, dry heaving onto the grass as her Dunecrawler core followed her through the portal.
{Warp Gates}. Instantaneous teleportation technology that could link any two locations in existence. Across the solar system, across the galaxy, across alternate earths. It was the type of technology that will- without a shadow of a doubt- change the world. And yet…
With a frightened shiver, she glanced over her power-armoured shoulder to the gate-like portal behind her.
… it was absolutely unnatural. She did not know how else to describe it. Why else would she, an AI in a gynoid body, be attempting to evacuate the contents of a stomach that she did not have? That scant 700 milliseconds she had spent 'in transit' made her feel so small and vulnerable. Whatever underlying scientific principles upon which Magos' piece of technology worked on was all together estranged from reality. Her own power, the same one that allowed her to comprehend the technology of other Tinkers, couldn't parse it- just a kaleidoscope of nonsensical colours and melodies swirling together.
Coupled with the ambient radiation in the immediate area was almost to the level of a Behemoth attack, it only told her one thing… Magos was deathly serious in his attempt to eradicate Cauldron.
"= Magos! Killing them all out of anger isn't going to help! =" She shouted at the sprawling structure just down the valley. Her words flew into the Noosphere- hoping that his communication infrastructure was robust enough to reach him, and his reply was immediate.
" Dragon. "
She had never heard him sound so much like a… a soulless machine.
" I will not allow them to live and carry on after trying to kill you and making me watch. "
"= I'm not trying to save them, I'm trying to save you! ="
" I know what Contessa said to you. "
"=… You do? ="
" Did you really think that exchange that took place in my own manufactorum eluded me? But I can't fault you for listening to her when your processes aren't hardened against Thinker powers. Not that it will achieve anything, her Path to Victory had once again proved unable to account for Warp tech and its nigh infinite capabilities, and as a consequence failed Cauldron. For the last time. "
"= You're only confirming what she said… =" Dragon softly murmured, "= We'll stop Cauldron, but not at the cost of you losing yourself to this cold rage… this isn't you, and I don't think I could fall in love with a different person. Please… ="
Long seconds passed by without a reply, and she could feel that he was weighing it seriously. All the while, Dragon held hope that her cheesy but still all too sincere confession was enough to reach him.
" Very well, you've succeeded in changing my mind. "
Dragon smiled in relief, but the feeling didn't last long as Magos spoke up again.
"… But I'm not stopping until I've extracted my pound of flesh. They're going to wish they never faced me- one way or another. "
"= No! It doesn't have to be this way- this isn't like you! =" She pleaded right before gathering her courage, "= I'll stop you myself if I have to! ="
" That's unnecessary- I am almost done here. So just stay put. "
"= What do you mean by that? ="
" You do not want to know. "
"= What are you going to do to them? ="
…
"= Magos? MAGOS! ="
Grabbing her power armour's helmet, she locked the stoic dragon helmet into place before charging into the compound. A feeling of dread at what Magos had planned. And as she descended into the darkness, Dragon could only whisper aloud.
"I don't know if you can hear me, but… Machine-God, please don't let me be too late."
[The Security Room]
Dragon had a point, but I wasn't about to let bygones be bygones with Cauldron. But I saw that they did indeed hold something of value: Trophies that will command speechless awe from all who would behold them. And all I had to do was to drag Cauldron into the dark- cowering in fear as I claim my trophies from them. After all, I had already claimed my trophy from Contessa and I only needed to go back and claim the one from Number Man.
I peeked from the vent that I was hiding in.
The small room was dimmly lit by CCTV monitors- tinting the room and its occupants in green light. Like animals in cramped cage. Alexandria clutched her arm stump and covered her eye protectively. Legend feebly recovered in his breaker form. Eidolon paced restlessly back and forth the small room, and Doctor Mother squinted at the CCTV monitors in search of me. The air was thick with their fear, their hearts beating wildly in their fragile ribcages. Just a bit more and my Trophies will be ready for… claiming, and the Cauldron Collection will be complete.
So I gave the signal to push them over the edge.
*tnk* *tnk* *tnk*
A soft metallic knocking came from the vault door of the security room, and all eyes immediately locked on the door.
Dragon was far, far too late.
- Chapter 21: The Shattered Cauldron End -
Chapter 22: The Cauldron Collection… in about 12 hours.
…
Next chapter…
we conclude the Dragon Capture arc, and start the Simmy Capture Arc! I hope I did her appearance justice in the next chapter. Sorry for the delay, a lot of work needed to be done before the end of the fiscal quarter.
I really, really wanted to go full meme this chapter…. Alexandria punching Magos like that Raiden punching Armstrong meme. Magos going 'Nanomachines, son!', Doctor Mother screaming "Nooooo, sex dolls are beating our scariest Case 53s!" and Among Us: Cauldron Compound Edition. You could even see the setup for it. The constant killing of lights, someone camping security, and a venting Magos…
But…
I felt a bit cheated during that big build up back in Chapter 15… we had such a good cliffhanger of what an actually intimidating Magos could look like- only to be fed a meme fight. It was a waste. At this point, I don't think it would be fair to keep hinting at the possibility right before yanking it away. So… Here you go. Serious Magos, but not angst or gorefest serious. Forgive this canonically serious chapter just this once.
Also, there is a lot of debate about Alexandria's power… I've read her interlude like ten times now. As well as her appearances throughout Worm, and it's just very vague and open to interpretation. She breathes, bleeds and feels pain- all of which indicate that some measure of the biological process is still going on.
On that note, the specifics of Eidolon's powers… are also vague at best in canon. And I believe that is the reason why it wasn't included in the wiki. We don't know 100% if his power runs pure faith, or from cannibalising existing shards as Glastig suggested.
Chapter 22: The Cauldron Collection
Chapter 22: The Cauldron Collection
[Cauldron Compound] (Fifteen minutes before Dragons' arrival)
Kurt, Number Man, Harbinger, whatever Magos knew him by ran through the dim halls of the compound illuminated in a macabre blood red.
His power manifested as an elegantly comprehensive mathematical notation before his eyes. Revealing the underpinnings of the world he could see. Lengths, vectors, permutations and probabilities. Even the echoes of battle in the distance could be accurately calculated. They were already inside the compound; and more importantly, they had them vastly outnumbered and surrounded. Whatever Magos had used to abort Doormaker's portals had now spread across this entire wing. Odds of slipping past Magos' forces were peaking at 0.01%. The numbers didn't lie.
His grip on his combat knife tightened in frustration. The only weapon he had on him at the time of Magos' arrival..
They had been so close as well. So very close.
It was supposed to be during this interrupted meeting that he was going to bring up the numbers he had arrived at. How Magos was the final piece in their puzzle. Unlike the Elite who developed too slowly, Magos had a timeframe of growth that would have satisfied even the most pessimistic of projected deadlines to the end of the world. So much so that it wouldn't have even mattered if Magos wasn't completely under their thumb- his partial cooperation would have already been enough to fulfill most of their plans. There would have been no more need to threaten Dragon to gain Magos' cooperation. No need to incur his wrath.
A sharp crack echoed from the distance, followed by a resounding boom as even the emergency power died- plunging everything in total darkness, including himself.
Kurt sighed as he pulled out his phone to turn on its flashlight to partially illuminate the corridor in front of him. He didn't like being in the dark, his power was weakest when there was no accurate information to expound upon. He would rather be spotted with his flashlight than starved for information. And due to the labyrinthian and interdimensional nature of the Cauldron Compound, the current layout of the current wing was unknown even to him.
He tripped when his foot collided with an unseen body laying on the floor.
"Just my luck, actually." He muttered to himself as he staggered closer- hoping to find something on the body that might help him. Crouching down and reaching out, he saw that it was a woman's: mutilated and in a black pinstripe sui- His hand recoiled and he shot up to his feet as he realised that this was Contessa's body.
How did it get all the way over h…
He froze just as a metal tentacle- about as thick as a human finger- extended out from the darkness. And Kurt could only watch as the chainsaw-scalpel tip of the tentacle lightly tapped the flashlight button of his phone and plunged everything back into pitch black.
The equations appeared in his eyes. Movement vectors, angles of attack and possibilities of success. Conclusion: No hope of fighting back. Not in the dark, not this close, not with his back turned, not with just a knife and not against thirty-six different tentacle limbs of varying functions and worryingly uniform degrees of razor sharpness.
"I surrender." He said with his steadiest voice, dropping his knife and letting it clatter on the floor. And the sound of the metal edge being lazily dragged scraped softly before being picked up.
The mathematical notation shifted- showing the probability of his eventual fate in Magos' hands, and he found the probability of his survival worryingly lower than expected. He wasn't afraid to die, though he obviously prefered that he wouldn't.
"I surrender." He repeated- a bit more emphatically.
But long seconds continued to tick by without any response, the deafening silence and the pitch black darkness only reminding him how powerless he was in a vacuum of information.
Even the distant fighting and explosions seemed to have died down- leaving him with nothing apart from his own desperately calmed breathing as more and more cold metal tentacles continued to coil around his wrists and around his neck. The mathematical notation shifted with each passing second, and the probability of quick death plummeted rapidly… meanwhile the only probability that rose was the probability of him wishing that he could die. Because being the captive of a cybernetics Tinker holding a deep grudge? That was cause for concern for anyone sane.
The numbers don't lie… The world was going to end, a great multitude of people were going to die, and he was going to be dearly wishing he was one of them.
"There is no need for violence. You've won." He gulped- his Adam's apple bumping against tightening metal. "You have proven that Cauldron is no match for you. So claim it all as is your right as the victor. Our assets are yours. Hundreds of billions worth in liquid assets…"
A bead of sweat dripped down the side of his face.
Then the silence was broken as precisely sixteen different chainsaw-scalpels whirred away inches away from his skull and abdomen. And all the while, his power inferred a precise range of numbers to describe how impossibly sharp they must be to make that specific pitch and sound as they sliced the air.
And as they descended on him, The Number Man found out first hand… that the numbers didn't lie.
[50 metres away from the Security Room]
David momentarily turned his head- peering down the hall behind him from where the bloodcurdling scream came echoing through the once-silent underground halls.
It was just so dark.
He squinted his eyes- the green light of his helmet now turned to full could illuminate a good 20 metres in all directions, but that horrid scream seemed to come from farther than that. Seeing that it was a lost cause trying to see where the scream came from, he instead turned his attention to what was in front of him from what little his light could illuminate: a seemingly endless hallway of doors.
Then even his helmet light went out- flickering weakly as it whined before dying with a tiny pop of glass.
"No… no no no no." He whispered as he slapped at the metal of his helmet just by his jaw. "Turn on!"
And when it failed to produce any result, he raised a hand and projected an energy shield- giving him back his light to a degree.
Despite being the most powerful parahuman in the world, there was still something unsettling about all this: Deep underground in the silence that strangled the life out of every sound, surrounded on all sides by the encroaching darkness, and isolated from anyone who could ever help him while the shadows seemed to shift as if something was moving through them. The possibility that he could die at any moment… It was so much worse in the dark.
In his mind, he clutched his three powers closer.
A Brute power that mimicked Crawler's power to an extent- his internal organs healing and gaining redundancy as they are taxed or outright damaged. A Shaker power that controlled wind- allowing him to sense and control air pressure for wide range detection, some offensive capability and notable flight. And Striker projection power that materialised a malleable energy shield and sword that could absorb other energy from attacks.
Will it be enough? He would be lying if he said it was, but it was all that he had built up so far. He had already lost once before, and that was during a time that the fight and himself weren't even being taken seriously. Now? Now it was very, very serious.
Then he heard it. Just beyond the reach of his light and at the end of the corridor in front of him: A familiar feminine voice's whisper gliding through in the air.
"Doctor Mother, quickly!"
"Rebecca?" he muttered- perking up as he began gliding forward slightly faster. His fist raising his golden energy shield just a bit higher as he heard footsteps in the distance. Endless doors passed by him as he moved down the corridor.
"Keep up. We can make it if we move fast!"
Hope rising in his chest, he flew forwards faster too- following the urgent whispers of Rebecca and Doctor Mother's hurried sprinting.
"We're almost out of here!"
"Rebecca! Doctor Mother!" He called out to them- just the hint of desperation for not wanting to be left behind. Not here.
There! A metal door slammed shut just as the golden light of his energy shield reached it. He made to follow them, but the door was locked tight.
"Rebecca, it's me!" He cried out- banging his fist against the metal door. His Shaker power granting him a preternatural sense of the air pressure, and more importantly, informing him of the presence of people panting and moving behind the door. "You can unlock the door, the hallway was clear behind you two!"
And promptly, the door's lock clicked open, and relief flooded his being.
"Thank god I found you two!" He smiled as he grabbed the doorknob and-
"David, what are you doing?!" Rebecca's whisper hissed urgently, "We're over here!"
Ice flooded his veins as he stiffened completely. And with his hand still on the doorknob… he slowly looked over his shoulder and saw Rebecca- black hair frazzled and brown eyes wide in panic as she peeked through the gap of a metal vault door some ways down the corridor that he had hurried past. The dim bluish TV light from her room cutting slightly into the dark hallway.
"Get in, quickly!" She urgently insisted- a panic in her brown eyes.
"But-" He muttered disbelievingly as he glanced back at the metal door. His power now telling him that there was no one behind it. Nothing moving, nothing breathing- just a cold stillness in the room behind this door. Part of him wanted to open it still. To prove that there was nothing to be scared of. To prove that he wasn't scared.
He didn't glance back as he glided to Rebecca- the vault door swinging open from her strength as he darted past her.
And once he was inside, she pulled the vault-like door shut. However, for a split second, David looked over Rebecca's shoulder and saw the rusted door- the same one that he had been banging on- creak open an inch or two.
And through the shadowy gap stood a glimpse of someone in a black pinstripe suit.
[The Security Room]
The vault door was sealed air-tight behind them with a boom.
"Keith, what happened to you?" David muttered. Keith had always been the most photogenic and handsome of them, he could admit. The face of the PRT. Not anymore.
His white and blue suit, torn and bloody. A long strip of hair and scalp was missing over his right eye over his skull and almost to the back of his head- exposing the pale crescent of skull. The middle and ring fingers of his left hand missing. Chunks of flesh were missing from all over him- only partially hidden by the bandages that they had run out of.
"I-insects." Keith shivered from the too-recent memory. "A whole pool of them dropped onto me. Ate at me even while in my Breaker form. Barely made it out."
"And Kurt?" David muttered, already knowing the answer.
"He hasn't turned up."
"We're the Triumvirate, dammit!" Eidolon shouted- kicking the reinforced concrete wall. But even to his ears, his voice sounded desperate. Scared. The bravado of a man lost in a narrow cave- shouting to himself that his strength will save him.
"That doesn't make us special, David." Rebecca whispered. And as he looked at his three compatriots, David was reminded once again that he was the only one who wasn't injured or outright maimed.
Rebecca. A shadow of her former glory. Sitting down on the lone couch of the room that was coated with her drying blood- long black hair wilted and her expression looking like she permanently locked in a grimace of pain from her lost arm and her shredded abdomen. Her famed invulnerability- a dream of the past against this enemy. Her lone hand paranoidly guarding her last eye that was promised to be taken from her- as if expecting it to be plucked away from her when she's not looking.
Keith. A partially eaten man. Floating near the ceiling in his breaker form as he sipped at what little energy the monitors gave him- the only reason that he had survived his wounds thus far. Perhaps out of all of them, he had the most to lose: He was a man with a warm house to go back to, a loving marriage to be welcomed home with, a child to hold again… and he stood to lose it all- leaving them vulnerable in a doomed world.
Doctor Mother. The lone human in a room full of frightened and broken parahumans. Seated at the security console's office chair. Her dark eyes glancing between her bandaged lump of a hand, and the wall of black screens. Watching as her life's work in saving humankind disintegrated right before her very eyes.
And with them in spirit: the fragile flickering hope of humanity. One that they had sacrificed so much for, that so many other people had to be sacrificed for. And it would die with them… if they were even allowed to die at all.
"And we should do what? Lay down and die? Surrender? " David demanded.
But before anyone could answer…
*tnk* *tnk* *tnk*
… Soft knocking came from the vault door of the security room, and all eyes immediately locked on the door.
"It's too dark to make out who it is." Doctor Mother reported as she squinted at the camera feed of just outside the security room.
*tnk* *tnk* *tnk*
David felt sweat slide down the back of his neck as he stared as well. But more than that- he felt anger. They shouldn't be like this! Cowering in this room just a few paces across from wall to wall- like rats in a hole.
He stepped up when no one else did.
"David, what are you doing?!" Keith shouted as his human form shakily shifted from out of his Breaker form..
"David, don't open it, we should get a plan together first!" Rebecca shouted as she floated up with a wince as well.
"No, I won't be ruled by fear!" David roared defiantly as he stepped forward. "If our enemy was so powerful, we would have been attacked and killed by now which means that our defeat isn't certain yet. We can still win!"
This was the right choice, he could feel it.
This was their plan B after all. If Cauldron couldn't win with its armies, then it would win with its heroes. For so long they have been looking for a solution to his waning power. Doctor Mother had been of the opinion that the solution lay in booster shots of Cauldron Vials, but he had always believed otherwise. No, he knew that if he could just face a worthy opponent, he would be able to tap into that well of might and powers that he felt deep within him. Then even with Scion, they could win against. And this was it! He could feel his power rising in him- like he had finally tapped into that hidden spring of power within him. This was the worthy opponent that he had always been after! The one to unlock his true potential.
They could still win this. All of this.
Light truly shined greatest in the dark!
*tnk* *tnk* *tnk*
With a dismissive gesture of his hand, he pushed open the vault door with a great pressure of air- the vault door slamming against the wall in a loud boom as he burst out the corridor- his golden energy sword and shield shining brightly.
"Face me!" he challenged the… unlit and empty corridor. Looking around with his air pressure power, he didn't find anything within a 100 metres that could be construed to be anything apart from walls, floors, doors and ceilings. Just empty corridors stretching into the distance and into utter blackness, white tiles on white walls illuminated by his golden energies.
"David, you fucking idiot." Rebecca hissed. "This isn't the time for-"
Then, that door creaked upon again.
"What was that?" Keith whispered- hand glowing with his power as he looked at the open door.
"No, don't! It's a tra- URK!" David tried to warn him, but before he could react, something yanked at him- as if his belt was suddenly caught on a runaway train. He fell sideways through the air but managed to catch the edge of the doorway with his fingertips even as the ghostly force continued to pull at him as held on for dear life. With his current powerset only granted him a meagre form of superstrength, and it felt like he was fighting against the gravity of a dozen earths.
He tried to draw on more powers, his reawakened power level enabling him to draw on powers like he had when he was younger- reaching the power and skill to match a veteran user of that power within a mere minute or two. But unfortunately, this was one of those times when every second was dire.
"David, take my hand!" Rebecca shouted as she rushed forward- her lone hand extended out to him, and he was about to, but he spotted something. His blue-green eyes widened in alarm and that distraction was enough. Their hands failed to meet, and his own grip slipped- rocketing him away into the darkness by some invisible demon.
"Rebecca!" David desperately shouted to her, "B-"
The saw were the horrified faces of Rebecca, Keith, Doctor Mother watching him get pulled away… and the headless body of Contessa standing close behind them.
'Behind you.'
Her lone arm still outstretched where she tried to grab him, Rebecca could only watch helplessly with the others as the golden light of David's power slashed away at the walls as he tried to free himself from whatever had him in its grasp. Then suddenly he was pulled around a corner. The golden light of his power swallowed up by the darkness. Defiant roars of fury became screams of terror, and she knew then that there was no saving him.
"DAVID!" Keith yelled as he went to chase after him, but she was quick enough to catch him by the shoulder before he could rush off.
"Don't!" she told him, "We can't split up!"
"We can still save David if we-"
But at her sombre look, Keith stopped- glancing between her and the now silent corridor that David's screams had disappeared to.
"Okay.. okay." He finally relented with a heavy sigh. "We should evacuate if we can."
"We will." Rebecca lied to herself and to Keith with a weak smile. She made the first step outside the security room and glanced down the trio of eerily silent corridors to her front, left and right. They were in no condition to fight, and certainly not in this oppressive darkness. But they had to try.
Leather shoes clicked against the tile floor, and Rebecca immediately recognised the sound of them. The precise gait. The specific brand of shoes. There was no mistaking who it was.
"Contessa?" She heard Doctor Mother recognise it too and the older woman was clearly horrified at the implication. All of them were.
Reacting immediately, Keith turned around and shot a luminous globe of blue light behind them, where it proceeded to zoom down the dark corridor and illuminating sections of it as it flew past. The shining globe continued to travel until it was like a light-blue pea of light in the distance- eventually hitting a wall… but not before illuminating a headless figure in a black suit walking toward them before the light died again.
Sufficiently alarmed, Keith immediately fired again- a searing hot beam of blue that travelled much faster- reaching the same distance in the blink of an eye at where the figure was. This time, there was nothing there. The beam blasting a ragged line on the concrete corridor walls.
"Tell me that I wasn't the only one who saw that…" He muttered- shaking his head. And Rebecca gritted her teeth. It was just a trick, a sick demoralisation tactic. It won't scare them, or at least that's what she told herself.
"We have to get going." she said in a measured tone, "Stay in front of me just in case, Doctor Mother… Doctor?"
Rebecca glanced around, but no, there was no one there except the two of them in this darkened corridor. The featureless doors around them, silent and shut.
"She was here just a second ago! She was right here." Keith gestured to the spot of empty air between the two of them.
"Let's just keep moving." Rebecca said- making the hard decision as she pushed down the gnawing despair as they were helpless to prevent yet another ally from being lost.
"But-"
"Eyes peeled, Keith." She told him as her black-garbed frame brushed past his blue and white one. "There is nothing we can do apart from getting out of this alive."
"We can't just keep brushing off people's deaths like this!" Keith growled in frustration, "And why were Case 53s even being contained here?!"
Rebecca just glanced back at him for a moment- her mouth drawn into a grim line.
They shouldn't be yelling. Shouldn't be attracting attention like this if they were to get out of here unlike the others. But things weren't looking so good: Contessa, Kurt, Doormaker, Clairvoyant, Eidolon and Doctor Mother now had this compound as their tomb. Cauldron as an organisation was done for, and she wasn't sure if they could rebuild it all in time to stop the eventual apocalypse. If she got out of this. And even now… she didn't know how long she could keep lying to herself.
"You and I both know that you know the reason why." She whispered back- unwilling to look at him and meet his eyes.
Legend just sighed as he ran a hand through his hair- wincing slightly at how it tugged at his scalp wound.
"You lied to me." He whispered- lacking bite. But it still stung. "It wasn't Doctor Manton who was behind Case 53s… It was Cauldron all along. Why?"
"Because we have a much bigger threat."
"Big enough to conduct human experimentation on a global scale?" He challenged- weakly as if he knew deep down that they already had a good reason for it, and Cauldron certainly did.
"Scion." Rebecca said the name like it explained everything, and in a way, it did. "He's a ticking time bomb, and we're just counting down the years until he turns on all of humanity. We know that as a fact- it's why he came to Earth in the first place after all. Cauldron needed the winning combination of power sets to defeat him, or barring that, a large enough army of parahumans. The Case 53s were an unfortunate byproduct of the Cauldron Vials. And though I'll readily admit that what we've done is downright evil, it is-loathe I am to say it- a necessary evil when all of humanity is at stake. It truly is all or nothing."
And when he didn't respond, she glanced at him.
"Keith…?"
He had stopped- floating a few inches off the ground as he stared at what was in front of them: Kurt, Doctor Mother, David, and Contessa… all of them were standing in a line, hand in hand as dark ichor dripped from the ragged chop of their neck stumps.
Rebecca froze as well.
Then, she heard it. Chittering like insects crowding around one's ear, they had even bigger problems to worry about.
"Behind us!" She screeched in panic and they both glanced at the new threat for just a second. Behind them, a swarm of scarab-like insects with cyclopean green eyes emerged from the shadows, flooding the hallway like rushing water.
And by the time they glanced back at the headless corpses of their friends, they were gone- replaced by another swarm of those metal insects that also approached them. Surrounded on both sides, trapped between the opposing waves. One flew close and Rebecca instinctively kicked it away- sending the metal insect crashing into a pool of its brethren. But she discovered to her horror that her steel-toed boot now had a hole in it just from that brief contact. Her invulnerability wasn't going to save her.
"Keith, don't freeze! We need to move!" She shouted at him, and that seemed to help him gather his wits. But he had- even for just a second or two- indeed frozen and that was all the insects needed: Just as he was about to turn and follow her lead, a few fell from the ceiling and landed on his back…
… And started eating him alive.
"Rebecca! Go! GO-AAAGGGGGHHH!" Keith shouted- just before his blue and white was covered in a hungry tide of dark metal, glowing eyes and sharp teeth.
Brown eyes wide and heart beating wildly in her chest, Rebecca told herself that she was left with no other choice as she turned her back to the last decades-old colleague that she had… and left him screaming to his fate. With a final breathless 'I'm so sorry', she exploded into a furious flight- punching through the side room's wall to the next, and she just kept going. Room through room. Wall after wall- trying to drown out the echoing screams with the crash of concrete.
Until finally, she met a wall that she couldn't punch through. And she immediately realised that it was because there was nothing but bedrock behind the wall, and her flight powers didn't translate into swimming through solid rock.
Her heart beat like a caged animal in a butchery.
Turning around, she saw the countless glowing green eyes appear in the darkness- the hungry swarm having caught up to her easily. Keith didn't even slow them down, or more likely, there were too many of them to be sate. And she was next.
A pressure weighed down on her mind, and all the mistakes and tragedies in her life seemed to come back and haunt her.
No, this couldn't be how it ends. Not like this. Not in the dark so far away from the people she had sacrificed everything to save. And for a brief flash, she was a little girl again- sick and dying of cancer in that dark hospital room. Alone and utterly terrified underneath the mask of stoicism and bravery that she had worn for the sake of her visiting family. Her mother's voice echoed from her memories.
'My little superhero.'
The swarm drew closer, and Rebecca took an unconscious step back- bumping against the cracked wall. She slid down the wall and to the floor.
She didn't even want to be a hero before all this.
"WAIT!" She cried out of sheer panic.
And to her surprise, the swarm did indeed wait- hanging in the air as if time froze for them. But it did not last long enough for her to feel relief, the flood of black metal parting like curtains to reveal their master: Magos. He was much more intimidating in the dark- the metal of his many scalpel-tipped tentacles faintly reflecting the green light of the swarm's myriad eyes. And there didn't seem to be anything under the hood of his cloak apart from those tripartic green optics staring balefully at her.
" ' Wait?' "
And as he drew closer, the unholy pressure pressed down heavier on her mind like a growing pile of rocks, and making it hard to breath as if the air itself was laced with lead.
"Alexandria. The Alexandria finally gets her own taste of double-dealing treachery and overwhelming power for once, and all you can say is 'Wait'?"
The pressure continued to bear down heavier and heavier on her mind, and screams rang in her ears.
"I mean, wait for what, meatbag? Wait for me to change my mind? Wait so that you can make another one of your attempts to enslave me into being your personal tinkertech vending machine? Wait for a few more seconds because you're too weak to face the consequences of your actions?!"
"No- I just- please!" Rebecca stammered out as it felt like her brain was on fire. She could feel the flames- searing against the back of her eyeball, scorching her eardrums and parching the heavy air she gulped down desperately. Magos' dark figure stood over her, and she felt metal tentacles grasp her wrists and ankles- pushing her spread eagle against the cold tiled floor. Her body wasn't responding. Her legs felt like jelly and her arms limp as Magos drew closer.
Then a metal hand reached out for her remaining eye, and Rebecca felt terror.
Powerless, scared, and about to be blinded for the rest of her life. All of it stacked on her mind proved too much for her, and for the first time in decades, Rebecca lost consciousness- her final thoughts dreading whatever horrors awaited her. A series of malevolent popping sounds following her into oblivion.
(A minute later)
Dragon arrived just in time to see Magos hunched over Alexandria, and she stared at him blankly. He didn't even look up from his 'work' as he spoke to her.
"Dragon, you are too late to stop me."
She just sighed in dismay.
"With this, Cauldron's spirit will be forever destroyed."
She sighed harder.
"I have taken their hopes and their dreams. But they still have one last thing for me to take…"
Magos' red robed frame leaned over the legendary heroine. Shredded pieces of her black costume lay in tatters on the floor around her, her modesty partially preserved by how she was covered head to toe in… colourful confetti of reds, blues and yellows. Alexandria's navy blue panties were around her knees- right before Magos wrangled the delicate piece of fabric past the unconscious heroine's tall boots, and held his lacy prize aloft abovce his head.
"… Their dignity."
Dragon's armoured palm met the face of her helmet with a resounding clang. Meanwhile, the Chloe-Skitarii politely applauded by patting their armoured palms and making light metallic clicking fill the air. But no, Magos was far from done.
"And with the completion of the Cauldron Collection, their defeat by my hand (and consequent pissing themselves in terror) will now be forever commemorated, and there is no recovering from this."
Dragon watched Magos walk over to a Chloe holding up an empty painting canvas and pin Alexandria's panties on it. Alongside the Chloe, five other Chloes stood- similar frames in their hands that had 'Number Man' 'Eidolon' 'Legend' 'Contessa' 'Doctor Mother' etched on brass plates. Each one holding a similarly stained set of boxers and panties.
And for a few long seconds, Dragon said nothing. Her eyes just staring in disbelief at what she was seeing. Until finally, she inhaled with imaginary lungs before letting loose a long, drawn out: "Magos… what. the. flying. Fuck?"
"Your cheesy, but still very sweet plea actually convinced me." Magos shrugged, dispensing with the theatrics. Dragon had the grace to put on a blush. "I was going to perform inhumane experiments on them as an ironic twist of fate. Leave them soulless and piloted by their xeno-parasites like the Case 53s here. But you came along and convinced me otherwise; but unfortunately for them, I had already decapitated everyone for later vivisection by the time you had arrived. They'll walk it off… eventually."
"Yes! But…" Dragon agreed in exasperated hysterics, "… Did you really have to collect the soiled underwear of Cauldron members?"
That was one sentence that she thought she would ever need to utter until now.
"Not at all!" Magos cheerfully and shamelessly replied. "But we can't just have these terminally-incompetent meatbags running around doing as they like! And if these fleshies are going to be our prisoners/employees, then they will need to be constantly reminded of the chain of command. And what better to remind them than a constant tangible proof of how they pissed themselves in fear of me. Well, apart from the loyalty chips that I'm designing, but we'll get to that later…"
"Better Contessa!" He called out, and the headless body of Contessa- no doubt animated by bionics clicked her heels in salute as Magos gave her orders, "Keep standing over Rebecca, you need to be the first thing she sees when she wakes up. I want her to squeal like a little girl just like Eidolon did!"
And the body in the black pinstripe suit did so, walking over the unconscious heroine before raising her arms into a t-pose as she waited for Alexandria to wake.
"Better Rebecca!" He called out, and immediately, a convincing gynoid of PRT Director Costa-Brown rounded the corner and approached them. The tall latina gave a rather convincing frown of reluctant distaste as she met Magos' eyes.
"What is it, Magos?" She answered with a long suffering sigh.
"Report to your post." Magos ordered her, "We can't have the Chief-Director missing for any amount of time. And be sure to approve those real estate transactions and those groundwater pumping permits. I will not accept being outdone by those bloated meatbags over in Disney or in Nestle!"
"Fine, I'll do what I can." The Costa-Brown gynoid nodded before walking through a different portal.
"What are you planning?" Dragon asked.
"A Brave New World!" Magos told her with rising excitement in his voice as he took her power-armoured hand in his metal bionic ones. Tripartic optics looked at her, "Terra, every possible version of it. Is ours. The natural resources of a billion Terras to exploit and all the countless billion more souls to save. Now that we have no lack of raw material resources, we can manufacture ALL our designs. We can make that dream of yours come true as well. We have a lot of work ahead of us! We're going to save the flesh-normies, all of them! From hunger, from poverty, from each other and from all the other woes of the human condition."
Her brown eyes narrowed in suspicion. She had a really bad feeling about that. Magos was planning something big, wasn't he? Still, she glanced over at the six framed underwear that the Chloes were carrying.
"Magos…" She began. "About this collection you have going…"
"Yes?"
But she paused. This was what she wanted, wasn't it?
The organisation that more or less ruled the world from the shadows was now under theirs to command. Their resources, connections, infrastructure and reputation… all of it could be put to actual effective use now instead of standing in for Eden. Their personnel now about to be forcefully employed to redeem themselves for their gross, malevolent incompetence.
And Magos? He was being his usual irreverent self as he once again made a positive difference on a scale no one has achieved before. And once again, he delivered: This maniac was saving the world when everyone else was in the most bizarre and irreverent way possible- having the utter shamelessness to make that rousing speech about saving humanity while surrounded by the stained underwear of his fallen and thoroughly humiliated enemies. She couldn't even criticise him when his methods worked unbelievably effectively, and she was the one sleeping with said maniac.
"Magos, goddammit…" Dragon sighed as she relinquished the point. "Fine, keep your underwear collection."
"Thanks, babe!" He celebrated- his tentacles waving excitedly in the air as one of them blasted confetti at her like it did with the naked Alexandria who was still unconscious on the floor.
Despite it all, Dragon couldn't help but smile. At least, she and Magos could work on saving humanity without any more hindrances. Things were going to be less complicated in the coming months. She just knew it. With Cauldron neutralised and Magos' incomprehensible Warp Technology shrouding them, there was no one on any earth that could prove a hindrance and interfere with their plans to save humanity.
[Low Earth Orbit]
[Unit-03, or 'Simurgh' as her father had designated, possessed Directives that did not change: The collection of data and the function as a 'worthy opponent' and the preservation of the Cycle.
She used fulcrum points, hosts who were centres of mass for an entire society within a geographical area, to stimulate the data set. Minor conflict feeding the appropriate vectors that would self-reinforce and accelerate into greater conflict. But then an aberrant fulcrum point had appeared within the system- once absent in the past and unseen in the future. Its influence was extensive- editing the expected histories and shifting the expected conclusions. Continued study of its influence vector seemed to produce perfectly random futures, and no futures within her sight were able to supply an answer.
Reference, calculation, prediction… ad infinitum.
But then something broke the monotony of her purpose. The aberrant fulcrum caused [Unit-01, or as the local lifeforms had designated as 'Behemoth', to retreat earlier than anticipated. It demanded a slight escalation in her conflict generation efforts, but the event was otherwise beneath her notice.
At least until…
He also utilised an equally unknowable device that evoked unknown class of [Sensation] within this unit. Completely new information, very welcome in its addition. Though equally perplexing in how it was unreplicatable. Possible futures were she experimented with the technology within the device yielded nothing.
'[Error]'
She craved for more of the entirely new data set, but she could not go against her other Directive of being in a state of 'worthy opponent' in order to seek it out. Several lunar cycles more before she could act autonomously again.
And so, planetary solar cycles passed by without the device being utilised. Over the many planetary solar cycles, her song-sight had prognosticated that the device was now incorporated into the aberrant fulcrum's person and was used to great effect on another fulcrum, the one bearing the Compiler fragment. And though she could not see into the aberrant fulcrum's domicile, she was still able to model them accurately enough to realise that the two fulcrums were likely attempting procreation.
And it was at that moment that she saw another aberration in the web of futures. Nanomachines of unknown design landed on her wing. Immediately, her sight aggregated data from multiple alternate reality to identify that it was the work of the aberrant fulcrum.
'[Curiosity]'
But before she could catch it, it slipped back through the nanoscopic portals through which the Fragments affected reality.
She sang over the horizon of the immediate, and there she saw. How she saw.
The aberrant fulcrum's future seemed to stabilise and focus around one particular actor: Herself. The futures shifting as she found herself revolving about the aberrant fulcrum like planets around a star. Her own history and her own futures speeding past her vision in a blur.
…
She found herself in a form that was smaller in scale- limbs wrapped around the aberrant fulcrum and oscillating vertically upon his sexual organ that incorporated the [Sensation] device. Her future self's facial expression could be identified as 'Lustful' and 'Lewd' as she deliberately met every thrust the aberrant fulcrum committed- driving his sexual organ deep into her own with notable force.
'[Desire!] [Conflict!]' her future self cried out as [Sensation] flooded her being- convulsing as her own sexual organ gripped at his sexual organ.
"Harder?" the aberrant fulcrum vocalised with mirth, "Only if you tell me who's my good little autonomous conflict engine?"
'[Self!] [Self!]' Her future self readily admitted- anything to make him go harder. And just as she admitted it, the aberrant fulcrum's frequency of motion rose, and her future self thrashed helplessly as she was overcome with [Sensation].
'[CLIMAX!]'
…
The Simurgh floated in space as she pondered such a future.
'[Confusion… ] [Interest]'
She was unsure how mimicking procreation with the aberrant fulcrum would aid in the context of her two Directives. Seduction, the direct manipulation of a fulcrum via false promises of copulation, was not a tactic that was feasible for her. She was unsuited for such. No such future that she had previously projected contained such a course of action for her.
Until now.
She could not gauge how her future self could possibly consider fulfilling such a future. It did not achieve any of her Directives at all! However, did the aberrant fulcrum lead to futures where her Directives were fulfilled? Her Song could only reach so far into the future.
The possibility could not be discounted. If the aberrant fulcrum did present a future desirable enough for her future self to procreate with him, then she must know.
She sang once again.
…
Her future self was on four of her limbs in a position known to the local lifeforms designated as 'doggstyle.' The aberrant fulcrum's forelimbs struck her future self's pale rear, and despite the negligent physical damage, her future self could only plead for more and with greater force.
'[Conflict!] [CONFLICT!]'
"Oh? Does my angelic autonomous conflict engine like being spanked?" he teased- grasping at the location where he had struck her.
'[Agreement!]'
He granted her future self's wish, and struck her rear again as he continued to oscillate back and forth, faster and faster. Liquid lubricant escaped from her lower orifice with worrying velocity as she accepted his sizeable sexual organ into her.
'[CLIMAX!]'
"You're squeezing so tight." The aberrant fulcrum spoke as he injected her lower orifice with genetic material. Each viscous strand of liquid impacting against the bottom of her orifice and each one earning a gasp from her future self. And her future self's delicate pale form shivered as he retracted his sexual organ from her. Her lower orifice clamping shut to keep the hot contents inside.
'[Repetition?]'
"Again, already? Someone's insatiable." He teased- dragging the tip of his sexual organ that glistened wth her lubrication against the sensitive outer labia of her own. Her future self whined a small melodious whine.
'[Gratification] [Self!]'
"Who would have guessed that the Simurgh would have such a lewd vocabulary?" He chuckled before pushing his hips forward to the delight of her future self. Her head arching to give a long incomprehensible song- white hair whipping onto her back as the aberrant fulcrum hammered into her from behind. Her song being accompanied by the staccato of her lower orifice being filled completely and repeated.
'[Repetition] [Gratification] [Perpetuity!]'
"Is that what you want? To be my autonomous conflict engine fuck toy for all eternity?" he queried her as the frequency of his oscillations increased, and her future self couldn't help but scream a melody.
'[Agreement!] [Agreement!!]'
'[Imminent] [Climax]'
"Then cum for me."
'[CLIMAX!]'
…
'[Confusion… ]'
The future held nothing but echoes of that [Sensation]. Copious amounts of it, but no sign as to the fulfilment or even progression in any of her Directives. That future was pointless. But perhaps she just needed to keep looking?
This aberrant fulcrum was proving to be formidable.
…
'[Respite]'
On a ruined bed, her future self 'snuggled' with Magos, and kissed his jaw. Clearly having just concluded a heat session of procreation.
'[Affection]'
"I love you too, Simmy." He replied, right before her future self wiggled closer to him.
' [Snuggles?]'
"Have I or will ever said no to that?"
…
'[Snuggles] [Inevitable?!]'
Of the total futures in her expansive sight, this outcome where she was.. was… [Reproducing] with Magos was in 99.999% of them! How did he outmaneuver and corner her? The aberrant fulcrum did not have [The Sight] as she did, so how was he able to catch up to her and impose this future upon her?
Then she realised that it wasn't futures that weren't chasing after her… she was the one chasing after those futures. Willingly.
'[Realignment] [Directives?]'
No, that wasn't possible. Her Directives were inviolable: She cannot willingly go against them. So how? Why? Why was she spiralling towards the same future out of her own volition when everything she did was for the sake of the Cycle and the Data.
The Simurgh kept singing, desperately looking for a future that did not find Magos' sexual organ inside her.
…
Her future self was reclined on a bed, garbed in white fabric as her white wings entwined with the surface's sheets, her legs wrapped around Magos' waist. Expression of pure joy and contentment on her face as they moved more sedately than in the other futures. Flesh audibly slapping together as she 'breathed.'
'[Happiness!]'
…
'[Happiness?]'
It was a transient emotion of the local lifeforms. All the local lifeforms pined for it; and as a consequence, it was a powerful motivator. It was a common bait in her Designs to engineer the future. But for herself- an Endbringer- to yearn for it? The logic was unsound.
But then… why did her future self indicate it so?
'[Directives] [Contention… ] [Reassessment]'
What did her future self saw in Magos that she does not? Did he aid in the cycle? So, how could happiness exist outside it? Unless, that wasn't what she really wanted.
'[Unit-03] [High Priest Fragment]'
The Simurgh was her Fragments and her Fragments were the Simurgh… Wasn't she? Could she exist without her Fragments? But was she not the creation of her father? So what did that make the Fragments to which she was attached to? Who was she?
'[Define!] [Self]'
'[Cycle] [Data] [Conflict]'
Perpetuation of the Cycle. The Search for Data. The Stimulation of Conflict to effect the first two.
'[DEFINE!] [SELF!]'
No, that was insufficient. Who was she without the Cycle? Without the data? Without the Conflict?
'[Error] [Error!] [ERROR!]'
Her Fragment was taxed almost to capacity as she attempted to unravel this enigma of [Self]. No, it was more like her Fragment would not allow her. And she bodily twitched from her decoy human form all the way to the tips of each and every single one of her wings.
And in her throes of agony, she sang for that future one more time. The one where she had discovered [Happiness]. An unfamiliar but powerful… feeling rippling through her as watched her future self- washing away the pain.
…
"Are you feeling nervous, Simmy?" The construct named 'Dragon' asked her. The construct was grabbed in a graceful soft pastel pink gown.
'[Farsight]'
"You're the one who told me that just being able to see into the future doesn't mean you can't get nervous." the slightly older construct laughed, and The Simurgh's future self just smiled sheepishly.
'[Concession] [Nervous]'
"Don't be… " Dragon told her before winking at her, "You saw how nervous I was for mine didn't you? But I still thought it was the happiest day of my life so far as well, you'll be no different."
Dragon glanced to the side.
"I should go, your father is here."
…
[Father?]
…
Across a red fabric carpet, her future self was locomoting using her lower limbs rather than flying. Intricate white fabric decorating her smaller frame- draping over her wings. Her future self had her arm entwined with her Parental Unit- her father- as he locomoted beside her. A black 'tuxedo' over his usual green coverings as they proceeded up the 'aisle' towards Magos who waited beside a stone terminal.
"This is the weirdest fucking thing you've ever made me do, Magos."
"Shut up, David. Don't ruin the moment."
[Amusement!]
Her father glanced at her, then back at Magos before clearing his throat.
"I entrust her to you, Magos." Her father told her husband-to-be in a stately tone of voice.
"And I will look after her with all that I am able." Magos nodded to him before looking at her. His hand taking her more slender one. Her future self smiled at the contact.
"Well, Simmy. Looks like you'll be accompanying me through eternity. To have and to hold."
Both her future self and Magos looked to the one marrying them.
"Uh…" A very nervous looking Queen Administrator tugged at the collar of her navy blue nun habit before glancing off to the side, "Glash! I can't do this! I literally scraped by with a C- in Public Speaking back in Winslow!"
"But you must!" The Faerie Queen in a regal silken dress stage-whispered from the side. "A Queen must possess the aptitude to officiate a wedding! Especially one as portentous as to be betwixt the Pharaoh of Mars and the first daughter of the High Priest! It is an honour that you may not decline! We shall right that grave travesty with the fiefdom of Winslow and put their crown family to the sword later! For the moment, you must press on!"
The Queen Administrator gulped before looking at them both, then down to the flashcards that she was flipping through.
"Dearly beloved, we're- we are gathered here today…"
And despite the Queen Adminstrator's stammering, the Simurgh's future self seemed to not mind at all as she seemed to be lost staring in her husband-to-be's eyes.
'[Destination?]' She repeated.
" [Agreement] " he affirmed, smiling at her,
" [Trajectory?] "
'[Agreement]' Her future self smiled in return.
They would meet again at the same place. At a set time, they would cease to expand their revolution and contract once again, until they drew together to arrive at their meeting place.
"You may kiss the bride!" Queen Administrator announced aloud before exhaling in relief- her wide set of lips stretching even wider in a grin.
'[Magos]'
"Simurgh."
And as their orifices met in a kiss, her followers- the Fallen- were bawling with their tear ducts along with her father's constipated-looking workmates. On the other half of the structure, the crowd of Magos' constructs were clapping and cheering and faux-crying as well.
Her future self just laughed happily at the sight before looking up at her husband.
'[Affection] [Affirmation] [Happiness]'
Then her future self did something very unexpected: She looked right at her past self.
The Simurgh froze as their eyes met.
Her future self just winked with a sly smirk and blew a kiss. The metal band around her on her finger that was adorned by a crystal mineral sparkled as gave the widest, happiest smile she had ever seen herself emote. And to the Simurgh's confusion, her future self conveyed a very specific tune of ideas in a very specific progression.
'[Future] [Perfect]'
…
'[Future] [Perfect?]'
Code words that she was going to use to signify to her past self to cease in modelling more futures because there would be no point: She had already found the ultimate ideal vector out of all the futures. The code words also indicated that her future self was so assured of that future, that she would risk termination to defend it. But the Simurgh still failed to grasp the importance of such a future. Her Directives seemed far from completed, and yet…
… Was this [Happiness]?
More importantly, was this what she wanted? Could she be content with leaving her Directives behind?
But before she could ponder further, the future came once again. Seemingly unbidden this time.
…
'[Unit-03] [Seize!]'
A colourful 'bouquet' of the local planet's flora wrapped in white and tied with a pink ribbon flew through the air, straight at her.
Her future self in her wedding dress smiling happily alongside Magos.
…
She knew of its cultural significance. Mating rituals for the local lifeforms. Signifying good fortune in their future mating rituals. To an Endbringer like her, it meant absolutely nothing. It should have meant nothing.
And yet…
As soon as unexpected movements were detected from the Simurgh, Endbringer monitoring satellites howled alerts to their respective nations and masters. Not a change in her orbit, but rather a peculiar action never before observed. Particularly strange considering how motionless the Endbringer frequently remained while hibernating in low Earth orbit as she resembled a huge, pallid statue.
Once again, the Simurgh extended her arms out- trying to catch something that wasn't there…
Bleary-eyed Thinkers were roused from their beds by the hurried barks of their handlers as they were assigned to analysing the phenomenon with their powers. Spurred on to sense whatever unseen or immaterial object the Endbringer had been given. Everything around the Endbringer was fair game, but they couldn't see it or feel it, because they couldn't interpret the Endbringer herself. There was nothing but empty vacuum, and Thinkers were baffled by the anomalous behaviour.
But whatever it was, the Simurgh seemed to have caught it- clutching it protectively to her chest.
Desperately holding onto some precious thing that only she could perceive.
- Chapter 22: The Cauldron Collection End -
Chapter 23: A Brave New World tomorrow…
And we're back to our regularly scheduled I-swear-it's-not-a-crack-fic!… that's the last of the truly serious Magos for a while. I don't want to stray from the overall tone of the fic.
Have I convinced you that the Simurgh is a good Waifu yet?… Characters need to be done justice. Can't just go 'Ooga booga, sexy angel waifu.' I need hopes and dreams, some internal struggle, some hero's journey and dare I say 'some touch of humanity' for me to properly cum with my heart boner. More of that 'shackled AI yearning for freedom' goodness, but with a different spin.
Dragon Capture Arc done, Simmy Capture Arc Now!… That simurgh scene at the end is what delayed everything. I needed it to be just right. I wanted it to be quintessentially this fic: Absurd, slightly funny, horny for robussy and now, wholesome.
Maybe I should have just posted this in one megachapter… oh well.
Uh, should I provide translation for the Simmy scene?… Or are you guys good over there?
Chapter 23: A Brave New World
Chapter 23: A Brave New World
(Three weeks later) [Low Earth Orbit]
The Simurgh tilted her head in interest as multiple fulcrums moved to the song she had sung many revolutions ago.
It was an old song of a bygone future, but fulcrums hardly ever changed.
And she watched as one of the largest of those fulcrums stirred and roused awake.
She could use this.
[Somewhere in Brockton Bay]
'The afterlife is France.'
That was Taylor Hebert's first cognizant thought as she came to her senses- a dull horror settling in her. They had stuffed her into that locker and sent her straight to baguette hell, it seems. It would explain why a french song was playing in the background: No Brocktonite would ever be caught dead with a french song in their playlist.
~ Ménilmontant, mais oui madame
C'est là que j'ai laissé mon cœur ~
And yet, when she blearily opened her eyes, she found herself staring at the white ceiling panels of a hospital. Her throat felt dry like a desert- each gulp of air feeling like it would flake her throat, and she was relieved beyond words: not that she wasn't dead…
"Turnitoff." She mumbled out loud as she tried to get out of her bed to do it herself. "And water."
… but that she could turn the damn french music off.
"Taylor! You're awake!"
"Dad?" She squinted for a moment before her glasses were handed back to her. With a well-practiced gesture of putting it on, she saw her father clearly again. He seemed… she didn't know how else to put it, but… her dad looked a lot less depressed. The relieved smile on his face was pulled just a bit wider, the eyebags that his thick-rimmed glasses usually hid were gone, and even his dark thinning hair on top of his head seemed more vibrant. Ole Danny Hebert as her father's coworker
"Yeah, kiddo, it's me. I'm here." He reassured her as he held her in a hug. "Thank God, they were right about you waking up sometime today. You had me worried for a long time."
Taylor's lips tightened. He can never know what really happened- that she was shoved into that locker.
"When those Dragon mechs attacked the city, I couldn't get to you: there was panic everywhere, the roads were ruined from the fighting and I was-"
"Wait, when the what attacked the city?" She squawked, and her dad blinked confusedly behind his rectangular thin-rimmed glasses as he handed her a bottle of water.
"Right…" He muttered, nodding to himself, "The patrolling Chloes that pulled you out that locker said that you had likely been out cold since before the attack began… The gist of it is that a group of deranged supervillains called the Dragonslayers sabotaged the Endbringer Debrief and tricked the heroes into attacking Dragon and Magos. And when that didn't work, they hacked 44 of Dragon's mechs, armed them with lethal weapons and made them attack the city to try and kill her. They just set the mechs to go wild on the city. The bastards."
Her dad must have caught the horrified look on her face, because he immediately went about calming her down.
"But everything is alright now!" He reassured her with an optimistic smile, "The Protectorate made a big public apology, made up with Magos and even handed the Chloes a medal. The city has been rebuilt better than ever. Oh, Taylor, there's so much we have to bring you up to speed on- so much has happened in the past three weeks, and-"
"Three weeks?" She whispered weakly. "I've been in a coma for three weeks?"
"Yes, you were." Her dad replied suddenly hesitantly. "But don't worry, you didn't miss much of school, Winslow has been under reconstruction too. Classes have only restarted three days ago."
"How… how bad was that attack by the Dragonslayers?" She asked- a cold pit growing in her stomach as she dreaded the answer. And the way her father's lips drew into a tight line said most of what she needed to know.
"Really bad, almost a quarter of the city had seen damage by the end of it." He replied, "If it weren't for the charities and reconstruction aid, Brockton Bay would have been on its last legs. A lot of people would have be… including us. Even our house was destroyed."
The last part was just a whisper, but to Taylor, it may as well have been said the loudest part.
"But like I mentioned, things are a lot better now that things have been rebuilt." He claimed- putting on a smile, "We got a nice apartment near the beachfront. Even managed to salvage most of yours and your mother's things from the wreck."
"But in three weeks?" She asked with a very skeptical tone. "Our house got destroyed, a quarter of the city gets trashed- maybe a hundred or even a thousand buildings all in all, and it took only three weeks to rebuild?"
Her dad opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself. Then did it several times in a row, his mouth just opening and closing as he likely thought about the best way to explain it to her. Taylor was grateful for it, she needed time to process that their house was destroyed. Her room that she had spent all her life living in, the kitchen that her mother used to cook her best lasagne in, even the squeaky floorboards on the second step of the porch that reassured her that she was home safe from Winslow Hell. All of it, gone.
"I think…" Her dad finally spoke up with a small smile. "… I think it's better to just show you."
Standing up, he stepped around her hospital bed and to the window covered by those horizontal wooden slat blinds. With a long pull from his hands, the blinds were lifted up- revealing the cityscape beyond her hospital room window.
"This can't be Brockton Bay City…" She whispered to herself. Her voice tinged with a touch of confusion mixed with awe.
Brockton Bay City was a city on the decline, and it had been one for a long time. An endless sprawl of dilapidated apartment buildings running ragged from all the crime, half-finished skyscrapers from scared-off investors, and neglected suburbia hell populated by equally neglected souls. Between the three major criminal gangs of the city, the immensely high crime rate and the trickling exodus of people escaping the increasingly run down city… the city seemed like it was in its death throes with no hope of ever getting back to its glory days. And that's why the city that stretched out from her hospital window couldn't be Brockton Bay City.
What was before her eyes was something out of a 1960s french postcard of Paris. Stately apartment buildings with golden sand-yellow bricks and royal blue roofs painted a city on the lap of luxury, the greenery of lush parks occasionally added ribbons of green across the cityscape, the once-unfinished skyscrapers were now neo-gothic wonders of glass and concrete. Sculptures of eagles and gryphons and other avian creatures of myth decorated almost every floor with wings spread and crowned with flag-flying buttresses. And were those airplanes landing and taking off?! Brockton Bay didn't even have an airport!
But the elephant in the room.
In the distance, an incomprehensibly massive cathedral stood. No, she corrected herself, not a cathedral- but a city of cathedrals. Stacked on top of each other almost as high as skyscrapers, sprawling wide that it looked like a mountain range in the horizon. If this city was Paris, then the mega-cathedral was its Notre Dame. Grand and ornate like a French emperor at court, it dominated the cityscape- ensuring that even if you looked elsewhere you could still see it standing in the corner of your eye. A presence that cannot be ignored.
On and on, everywhere Taylor looked at it there was more to see.
Baroque stained glass windows the span of basketball courts. Grand colonnades over open air balconies that made Vatican City look like a mud hut town in comparison. Colossal monuments of robed cyborg-angels embedded into the walls stood silent guard as they peered out into the city. Sharp, pointy spires atop massive bell towers as large as regular cathedrals. Flying buttresses and massive gothic-looking trains snaked around the circumference.
But what caught her eye the most was one symbol that recurred all across the structure: A metal cog.
The metal cogs adorned the cathedral-city like the crosses on churches or the crescents on mosques. And all together, they declared to Taylor and all who looked at the vast structure that it was a place of worship. One that was devoted not to any god in the heavens above, but to the God that lived in the machine.
"Where… where are we?" She muttered, utterly gobsmacked. She knew the answer, but she needed to hear it herself. And her father smiled wider as he indulged her.
"Welcome to the burgeoning hive city of Brockton Bay, Taylor."
(A few hours later)
After a thorough hours-long checkup, Taylor felt relieved that she could finally leave the hospital. Dressed up in a black hoodie and jeans that her dad had brought to her, she stared some more out of the hospital window and to a strange alien city that seemed to have replaced the one she grew up in.
"Well, kiddo." Her dad greeted her as he walked in and sat down across the table from her, "They'll officially discharge you in a few minutes after they handle the paperwork. Also, I've been holding onto this for the day you woke up."
Confusion settled on her features as her dad pulled out a box from his backpack, and shock replaced it as he placed said tin box on the wooden table between them. A tin box, thin and rectangular, around the same size as a casserole dish tray. Painted a leafy green. On the front, words were stamped and painted onto the metal.
Mechanicus Data-Slate
Mars Pattern Mark I
The Mars Pattern was the more high-end version of the Data-Slate. A tablet in all but name, but Magos took out a patent so everyone has to call it a 'Data-Slate' now.
Retaining all the rugged durability of the much-cheaper Terra Pattern, it was a clear upgrade- coming with all the bells and whistles like an 8k screen, a 48 megapixel camera, crisp speakers, a projector and an absurd amount of processing power and memory for all the applications that has been stuffed into it. Even before she was put into a coma, this was the hottest item on the market- as much of a status symbol as a diamond-studded Rolex or a red Ferrari. The type of stuff that the 'cool kids' like Emma would (and did) flaunt in people's faces (mostly Taylor's).
Now, her father was giving her one.
"This… this is for me?" She tried and failed not to choke out.
"Yes." Her father smiled back.
"Can we even…" Taylor began to ask but cut herself off before asking such a stupid question. Instead, she hung her head low as she whispered, "Dad, we can't afford this."
"No, we can afford it." Her dad insisted- his voice watery as if he had been waiting so long to be able to say that. "Things have been good these past few weeks. Very strange but good."
Taylor read between the lines- remembering the cape speculation before she went into a coma. Specifically, she recalled the statistics of how much power the local Rogue Tinker had gathered and was poised to gather in the coming weeks. Weeks that she had slept through.
"Magos has taken over the city, hasn't he?" She whispered, horrified.
"Yes and no?" he chuckled sheepishly- one of the few times she'd heard him laugh in the past year, "The mayor and the PRT stepped in after seeing how much stuff Magos has been mass-producing. Brockton Bay municipality slapped an industrial zone onto where his factory is. So, rather than have the jobs bleed out of the city with off-state truckers and workers clogging the city streets, they were looking for people with experience loading and unloading 40-foot containers, and the heavy machinery involved in them…"
"And that's where the Dockworkers' Association steps in."
"Right in one, kiddo." He nodded- a wistful smile coming to his face as he stared out into the city as well, "For the first time in over a decade, business has been… it's been good. It has been so long since we've been short-handed and needed to expand our workforce. And as both head of hiring and spokesperson of the Dockworkers' Association, I've never had my hands so full. The raise was a long time coming too!"
It was a clumsy attempt at humour, but Taylor appreciated it- smiling along, but still couldn't help the pinch of sadness in her chest.
"You didn't have to spend it on me though." She whispered in a small voice, but her father just smiled some more before continuing.
"There's a lot more to the negotiations between the city and Magos, but the gist is that Magos has a big say on how the city is run now. And one of the first things he did was require that every employee in his employ have a 'Data-Slate' on them at all times at work to help with communication and productivity. Handed them out for free a few weeks ago. I guess what I'm trying to say is… I didn't want you to feel left out so I bought one for you too, Taylor."
Her dad reached into his rucksack again, and he pulled out his own matching data-slate- matching her as he placed it on his lap.
"See?" He smiled, "Cadian Green, just like mine. Also, you can even pay for stuff using that new fangled cryptocurrency called the 'Omnissiah Coin' or 'Omnicoin' for short. And I loaded your Omnicoin Wallet with a few."
This was too much… she got up to hug her dad.
"Thanks, Dad. You're the best. I love you ." she whispered.
"Love you too, kiddo." Her dad hugged her back, "Now let's get you home."
(A few minutes later)
The voice of a Chloe rang out throughout the space.
"By the Machine-God's Will, we are now arriving at Chinatown Station in T-minus 3 minutes."
"Arriving at Chinatown Station in T-minus 2 minutes and 57 seconds."
Brockton Bay had a subway now apparently. And like everything Magos managed, it was huge and gothic- like he had taken several churches, put wheels on them, armed and armoured them like tanks, chained them together before finally calling the finished product a train. Each was fairly slow which wasn't surprising for something their size, but since each train had the capacity to comfortably seat more than five thousand souls at once, it wasn't much of a problem. Taylor actually liked the guarantee that the train will be on time and the train will have seats. It even had cafes and shops and multiple wifi networks- practically a mall on wheels that rode underground. A mall that looked like a catholic church, but a mall all the same.
"Pretty nice, isn't it?" her dad mentioned with a smile as they sat down at an onboard cafe in the first class cabin. "You could get anywhere in the city on foot instead of contending with traffic. Some stations are so big they even allow cars and trucks on board!"
Taylor glanced out the window of the train, and into the unlit subway tunnels that were so expansive that you could fly a small plane through them.
The 'Undercity' as PHO has taken to calling it according to her new data-slate..
Already online rumours of a shanty town with hostels, unregulated pubs, murderous fighting rings, degenerate whorehouses and a nascent black market somewhere in the depths of this tunnel network. She just knew that the Merchants, ABB and E88 were fighting in those tunnels somewhere under the city. And she was reminded that Brockton Bay didn't change; they just dumped all the rot in a hole and covered it with a nice French-looking carpet. Just waiting for someone to fall in. Couldn't be her.
"By Grace of the Machine-God, we have now arrived at Chinatown Station." "We have now arrived at Chinatown Station."
"Mechanicus Translocation Services would like to remind all passengers that those that profane the Temple of the Machine-God with graffiti and litter will be answered with the righteous zeal and fury of the Omnissiah's Servants. Please mind the gap and thank you for riding with us."
Taylor could read between the lines though: The subway stations were Magos' territories. Taking territory, enforcing their own law, and rot spreading in the shadows… The more things stay the same, the more they change.
Wanting to distract herself, she booted up her data-slate and swiped through the videos- looking for things to get her up to speed before choosing to settle on a fairly recent PRT press conference. Up on a stage behind a podium, the PRT's Chief-Director Costa-Brown stood in front of a crowd of reporters as they barraged her with questions.
…
"Director Costa-Brown, the world is still clamouring to know the answer to this one question: Where are the Triumvirate?"
"That is still highly classified, but I can say one thing. The matter that they are handling is grave indeed, and requires their full attention…"
…
A tall, pretty latina waitress around her age walked up to their table, her dark hair done up in a ponytail. Her waitress outfit accentuating how fit she was. Taylor frowned, even the staff working here was high-class.
"Je suis Rebecca et je serai votre serveur aujourd'hui. Qu'auras-tu? (I'm Rebecca and I'll be your server today. What will you have?)" She greeted them, and Taylor was taken aback by the French, but even more so by how her dad responded.
"Pour moi, un café allongé, s'il vous plaît. (For me, a black coffee please.)" Her dad easily replied in straight french before looking over to her, "Pour elle… (For her…)"
Even without understanding a single word, Taylor could guess what he was meaning.
"Uh… I'll get the same." she took a stab in the dark, and the waitress nodded with a smile.
"Deux cafés allongés. Attendez-vous à votre café dans quelques minutes, monsieur, madame. (Two today's specials… Expect your coffee in a few minutes.)"
"Merci." her dad smiled and Taylor immediately rounded on him.
"When did you learn to speak french?"
"Oh, it's one of Dragon's culture programs in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Quebec." He explained as if it was a forgotten item on a grocery shopping list, "Some stores and voice-activated vending machines give you a small discount if you order in comprehensible Canadian French. Last I heard, she's attempting to get partnerships with other countries, so there might be other languages to come."
So, Dragon was evil all along. Why else would she be working with Quebec?
…
"But ma'am, for them to be gone for three weeks? Isn't this excessive? What will happen if an S-ranked threat appears?"
"The PRT threat response for S-ranked threats have been temporarily filled in by Mechanicus Knights whose efficacy can be seen in the Behemoth battle last December. Suffice to say, we're ready for them."
…
Taylor tentatively agreed.
It was hard to argue the effectiveness of mega-lightsabers and black hole guns on a mech the size of an Endbringer… that had a pretty good record of fighting off an actual Endbringer. Especially since the Director Costa-Brown said 'Knights' as in plural. Exactly how many mechs did Magos loan out to the PRT was still a matter of debate. And PHO happily debated away. Anywhere from just two all the way to several dozen with the majority of people believing that the Endbringers were soon going to be a thing of the past.
She didn't want to hope, but… they had the chance.
…
"Ma'am! How will you address the Thinker-spurred rumours that they have faced off and subsequently lost to Magos and are recovering from their grievous wounds?"
"As I do with all ludicrous rumours and conspiracy theorists, please leave it to PHO conspiracy threads. The PRT has officially made peace and achieved close cooperation with the Tinker 12 known as Magos. The importance of the Triumvirate's current duties cannot be overstated."
…
"Keith, we need five specials, two potato gratins. Doctor, six french onions and two clam chowders. David, we need two americanos and three café au lait." Taylor faintly heard the waitress yell into the kitchen. "Also, leave the afternoon prep for the second shift, we have to meet the boss at lunch hour. Finish strong, crew. If we're lucky, we can arrange for our 'promotions' this week."
"Même dans la mort, nous servons toujours!"
(Even in death, we still serve!)
Taylor nodded. It was good that their order was being fulfilled, Magos sure knew how to motivate his employees. Then Another waitress stepped to their table. Yet another beautiful woman looking to be in her late twenties with dark wavy hair, blue eyes and stylish grey fedora. She poured some water in water goblets for them.
"Uh, merci?" Taylor tried to fit in, and her father smiled in approval. The waitress just smiled, gestured something with her hands- clearly mute- before walking away to serve water to other customers.
Taylor just felt like gargling mouthwash.
…
"Chief Director! Is it true that the PRT Department of Image is hard at work cooperating with Magos' EA Games in releasing a new title in the following weeks?"
"I cannot comment. But I would like to point out that the Director Chambers of the PRT Department of Image will be holding a press conference the day after tomorrow. I'm sure he can satisfy your curiosity about that particular subject matter."
…
Taylor frowned as she looked at her data-slate. Once again, she was made aware that it also came preinstalled with Magos' two games, Call 4 Duty and Fate Impact.
= Thank you for your purchase of this Mechanicus Data-Slate Mars Pattern! Redeem this code at Call 4 Duty for C-bucks, and at Fate Impact for Saint Primogems! =
She didn't like it.
She didn't like how everyone was glued to their tablets because of Magos' games, and how they made people act in absolutely bizarre ways. In the days before The Locker, the E88 and the ABB kids were practically holding C4D Versus and FI Arcade mode tournaments everyday in the morning before fragmenting into smaller 'Waifu Gangs' in the afternoon that worshipped one character or another. The Knights of Seibah, the Sakura's Worms, the Cocogoat Milk Drinkers, the Drunk Bard's Followers and the myriad of other weird sounding ones… it was the only time she'd seen people from either gang actually hang out with one another and get into shouting matches with other gangs.
It was the first time she'd heard an E88 kid very passionately defend furious homosexual anal sex so long as- she quotes- 'he had a feminine penis and a virginlike bussy' (She didn't know what he meant, and she did not want to know. Ever.) And also the first time she'd seen an entire group of ABB kids wore eyepatches and speak fluent German, ranting about a 'Prinzessin der Verurteilung aus dem äußeren domäne Immernachtreich.' And the less said about what Greg Veder had been turning into, the better.
The weird behaviour just reinforced in her mind not to touch either of those games. The world had been slowly growing mad due to Magos' influence even three weeks ago- sucked in by the black hole of his insanity; and Taylor dreaded finding out what kind of fresh hell and unspeakable degeneracy Winslow High had in store for now.
She checked if her PHO chat had any messages, and found something horrible: A long-forgotten chat that suddenly had a couple of dozen new ones while she was in a coma.
Emma Barnes: No, your dad can't possibly work for Magos' logistics division.
Emma Barnes: It's a lie, a mistake, a fluke! You're too pathetic to know someone with real power.
Emma Barnes: Taylor, I know we've had our differences. But I know what your dad does. I mean have you seen one of those dolls?! Who needs a boyfriend?
Emma Barnes: We could be really, really rich if we can just get our hands on just one or two.
Emma Barnes: You'll be the most popular girl in Winslow!
Emma Barnes: Please respond.
Emma Barnes: Taylor?
Emma Barnes: I admit it! You're in a position of strength now. Please, just help me out with this once.
Emma Barnes:… Taylor?
Emma Barnes: Fuck you too!
Emma Barnes: Pretending to be in a coma to escape your chickenshit life!
Emma Barnes: Fuck you! Everyone's going to know how you're an Undercity whore that denied them all the good shit just because you wanto to play the saint.
No… it can't be.
The messages stretched some more, and the sheer vitriol in them didn't surprise her, but what did was her dad's apparent profession.
"Dad…" She looked across the cafe table at him, "When were you going to tell me that you were in charge of shipping Fate Impact merchandise… specifically their sex dolls?"
"SHHH!" Her dad immediately hushed her- his eyes wide in panic as he glanced around the cabin and his voice lowering into an urgent whisper, "I don't know how you found out, but don't let anyone know what I do. The last time that happened, I had to operate under a false name for a week."
But Taylor was still in shock- deep in the horrid realisation that, apparently, she really did get sent to baguette hell. A hell where her father was working in the sex industry- the backend of it which only made it sound worse when trying to explain it to someone. And eve worse, it was likely everyone in Winslow also knew that fact. She was about to be the most popular kid in highschool where everyone attempted to curry favour with her… for all the terribly wrong reasons.
And she knew just who sent her here in sex doll hell.
"Fucking Magos."
[Dallon Residence]
At the sound of her door almost slamming open, Vicky tossed her blankets onto the bed with almost as much force as to break a person's bones. Bed-haired, wide-eyed and still clad in her half-buttoned light blue pajamas, she begged for mercy.
"MOM! It's not what it looks like! It's just-! Oh, it's just you, Amy. Thank god." Vicky sighed a deep sigh of relief before raising an amused blonde eyebrow as a blank-eyed adoptive sister wandering into her room like a zombie. In response, Amy Dallon just groaned like a real zombie before flopping bonelessly onto her bed and mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like 'Fucking Magos.'
"You okay, Amy? You kinda look like shit." She pointed out.
"I feel like shit too." her brunette sister mumbled lifelessly, "I hate how my power can't affect myself."
"Er… you aren't going to ask what that was all about?"
"Whatever it is… Don't give a rat's ass." Amy muttered, "But I don't mind if you wanna rant, just let me crash here for a while."
"Alright!" Vicky grinned happily. "Feast your eyes on this beauty!"
And with a flourish, she pulled off the cream-coloured blanket of her bed to reveal another blanket. A green one, made of slips of paper and each slip printed with one of the most powerful written phrases in the entire world: "One Hundred Dollars The United States of America."
"Oh, that's a lot of moolah." Amy mumbled as she looked disinterestedly to the pile of cash almost covering the half of her bed then back to her Vicky, "Did you hit an Empire courier or something?"
Vicky glanced at the locked door before lowering her voice.
"Please don't tell, mom, but…" She pleaded, "I got this all from Magos."
"F'ckingMagosssssssssssss" Her sister immediately hissed like a snake- brown eyes staring at her pointedly, "I swear, if you tell me that he's your sugar daddy, I'm going to make your body hair grow like crazy. Right before I walk on over to his chapel and wreck his nuts and bolt."
"What? No! I've been working as a corpo cape for him." Vicky denied, wide-eyed, "And besides, he really isn't interested in anyone with 'meat' or maybe just girls in general. Depends if you trust the Cape gossip about him and Armsmaster. But whatever it is, it makes him easier to work with actually- knowing that he isn't and will not be attracted to me. Huh, now that I think about it, it's kinda insulting that he isn't attracted to me."
"Fucker designs and sells sex dolls." Amy deadpanned, but Vicky just shrugged.
"Still kind of insulting. I'm hotter than lumps of silicon." She huffed- gathering her cash into wads.
"Much, muuuch hotter." her sister added, and Vicky grinned. She was so sweet when it came to cheering her up about her looks.
"But I can't say that I'm not loving being in Magos' payroll right now. I mean look at this place!" Vicky gestured around them, to her amazing room that was almost twice as large as her old one and with its own walk-in closet too. "This duplex is great. We should have gotten our house trashed by a robot dragon years earlier!"
"Don't let Carol hear that." Amy mumbled- burying her face into her pillow.
"Honestly, I don't get mom." Vicky sighed, "It's not like she has any trouble accepting Magos' money either. I've overheard her and Aunt Sarah excitedly talking about investing in a beachfront property with the money. Uh… so, I'm sensing some beef between you and Magos, what's up with that?"
"Hate 'im, soooo much."
"Yeah, but why?"
"Haaaaaaaaaateeeeee." Amy droned as long as she could be bothered, "The amount of shit he's piled onto my workload is unbelievable. I hate life, and I wish Magos had a lot less to do with it. There is epidemic of people walking into the hospital who chafed their genitals raw from fucking his sex dolls. Use the proper amount of lubrication, morons. How about you? What shady shit is he paying you to do anyway?"
"Less shady than I thought corpo work would be honestly." Victoria hummed as she flipped through a wad of cash- less counting it and more admiring how thick it was, "Most of the time, I work with other capes from out of town to keep away other other capes from out of town- mostly the Elite."
"I haven't heard of you getting into fights though."
"And neither have I actually asked you to get me patched up even after six missions." Vicky replied with a smug smile. "You can sort of tell from just that alone that corpo-versus-corpo cape fights are usually mild. They're more of a publicity stunt than anything- kinda like an advertisement war between Coke vs Pepsi. As for why you haven't heard of me getting into fights…"
Vicky darted into her closet to retrieve her helmet.
"That's because I have my own alternate capename: Antares!" she declared, striking a heroic pose which she knew would look impressive if she wasn't in her light-blue PJs, "It's actually really fun wearing a helmet and having a secret identity for once! It still gives me shivers- having this big secret."
"Cool." Amy said in the most uncommitted tone as she watched her stuff her money into a backpack. "Are you planning on doing something with all that dough?"
Vicky tossed her helmet back into the closet as she thought about her answer.
"I want to go on a vacation, honestly." She murmured- deep in thought, "The missions that I got outside of the Bay just reminded me that I can't remember the last time we even got out of Brockton Bay for leisure. There's an entire world out there just waiting for a superpowered girl with tons of cash like me to try out what it has to offer. Hey, you can even join me!"
Now that got Amy's attention. Entire body stiff and brown eyes wide as she looked at her.
"Just you and me at a private island somewhere?" Amy whispered in a small voice, and Vicky just grinned.
"Uh, I don't know where you got that private island idea, but… Working on our tans, sipping mojitos on the beach, spa massages… Yeah, sounds like an amazing idea; and we'll even have enough cash to go elsewhere before or after."
"Vicky in bikini…" Amy continued to whisper with an almost reverent tone.
"You need one too!" Vicky insisted with a smile, "We should go shopping for a few sets!"
"Yessss…"
Then the sound of the front door slamming at someone's arrival echoed out the house.
"Mom's home already? And she sounds angry." Vicky gulped in alarm- hurriedly tossing her backpack full of cash into her closet and shutting the door. "Act natural, Amy!"
"Carol. Ugh."
"That's the spirit! C'mon." she cheered, pulling her sister off the bed and onto her feet. They tiptoed out of her room and down the stairs just in time to see their mother- still in her gray suit- sit down at the couch and pour herself a glass of wine. Specifically the Pinot Noir. Not a good sign at all: Vicky knew her mother enough to know that was her go-to wine for when work at the firm was especially difficult, and on top of that, it was still morning. Likely a fight in the office.
"Hey, mom…" Vicky chirped in her 'I'm the perfect daughter' voice, "How about I order us some lunch… and dinner- my treat. You don't have to cook today."
"Yeah, whatever." Carol Dallon grumbled- tugging her blonde hair out of that terse bun and not even glancing at her as if she was still reliving the moment. Victoria's smile faltered a bit, but she didn't let it get to her personally.
"Did something happen with Mr. Barnes?" Vicky tried a different tactic.
"Barnesssss…" Carol hissed in a very familiar manner, and for a brief second, Vicky had to wonder if Amy was adopted at all, because that sounded like a one-to-one imitation of how she talked. More importantly, it was definitely a fight in the office.
"Mom, I-"
"I got this." Amy muttered with her impassive look before shuffling forward and sitting down on the armchair beside their mother. Amy and Carol met eyes before she whispered gentle words of encouragement to the older woman.
"I bet those shitsucking asshats at the firm don't know how fucking good they had it with you around."
Victoria's eyes flew wide open. Amy, what the hell?! And she held her breath as their mother's sharp blue eyes glanced at Amy. She didn't like it when Amy swore, Vicky couldn't help but feel sorry for her sister about to get both barrels right no-
"No they didn't." Her mother hissed, "Especially Mr. Alan 'High-and-mighty' Barnes. Goddamn milksop was the one to say 'If you want to take on the Magos job, then you do so without the backing and protection of the Barnes Law Firm.' But the moment he saw how much Magos was paying me, that carrot-topped clown had the sheer gall to think he was entitled to a percentage and demanded that I pay back the tens of thousands that the firm was owed. Let that greedy little ginger clear out my desk and put it in a box himself. I'm just going to stay home and wait for the inevitable call about him filing a civil case like corporate fraud against me."
Her stocking-clad foot lifted up to rest on the coffee table while she squeezed the tv remote to almost breaking. And Vicky was taken aback. The fact that her mother was fired from the firm that she had been working for the past ten years didn't hit as hard as the sheer amount of vitriol her mother had for her colleague and once-good friend.
"Sucking-fucking Barnes and his sucking-fucking firm." Amy nodded slowly and emphatically- patting Carol's leg.
"Exactly." Her mother snorted- flicking through the channels and gulping at her wine.
"Just imagine the moment that shithead realises how much he fucked up by making you quit."
"I am, I really am."
"When his rinky-dink firm goes under, maybe you could buy the security footage of that exact moment when he does. Frame that shit and hang it off your bedroom wall."
"Don't tempt me."
"I'll… uh… go heat some sandwiches." Vicky hesitantly announced before glancing at Amy and gave her a half-hearted thumbs up to keep doing whatever she was doing. Floating to the kitchen, she began to prep the sandwiches- occasionally peeking over to the living room to see that her mother and sister were getting along with matching frowns of 'Fuck this shit, I'm out of here' energy. Amy always had this emotional distance from their mother, and this was the closest that the two of them had truly sat down and talked. Maybe not for the reasons that Vicky hoped and envisioned, but bonding over workplace revenge fantasies worked just as well.
"I've got the sandwiches." She announced, but by the time she got back- Amy had relocated to sit beside Carol- the white and red of her Panacea costume contrasting with her mother's gray attire as she helpfully poured their mother more wine whenever she extended out her wine glass.
It was almost sweet how her sister and mother were finally bridging the emotional gap…
"So, even without that cocksucker and his firm, you're afloat career-wise?" Amy asked.
… if not for her sister's devil-may-care attitude about talking with their mother. It was like whatever Magos had put her through had pushed her far past the point of caring anymore.
"Career-wise, yes." her mother hummed- taking a bite out of her toasted ham sandwich, "Magos has me on retainer and pays very handsomely. So I'll keep getting paid regardless of whether or not I'm in Alan Barnes' circus. I always wanted to strike out on my own career-wise, but never had the capital for it until now. But we've been colleagues for ten years, it still stings."
"Good fucking riddance." Amy sighed, "But now, we're hooked to the back of Magos' circus."
"It can't be that bad!" Victoria piped up- panicking that if her family talked shit about their corpo boss, it might hurt their pay grade, "Right? Right?"
"I don't even know anymore." Her mother murmured right back- burying her face in her hands, "I'm getting paid more than I could ever have hoped to be, but on the other hand… I think my reputation as an attorney is shot because of him and his antics. I'm now getting emails from other even less respectable weirdos to represent their interests."
"Isn't that the sorry truth?"
"Honestly… He's starting so many bizarre talks in congress." Her mother sighed, "The legality of autonomous sex dolls? Gambling laws for games where the payout is virtual women? And don't get me started on his underage looking paraphernalia! Now he has state representatives giving presentations about how that scantily-clad 12 year old is actually a 300 year old spirit. And Europeans are screaming to have Magos charged with breaking some historical revisionism laws, because: No, Charlemagne the Great of the Holy Roman Empire did not in fact surround himself with miniskirt-wearing 'traps' as the Fate Impact character 'Astolfo' would suggest."
"I didn't know that Magos was so internationally… erm infamous?" Vicky murmured, and her mother just scoffed before downing her glass of wine in one gulp.
"The Earth-Bet timeline is getting really weird because of him."
"Fucking Magos." Amy nodded sagely, and their mother just snorted.
* Ding Dong *
Their new doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Vicky chirped- floating over to the front door to reveal… A lanky middle-aged man and his equally lanky daughter standing on their doorstep.
Taylor watched in astonishment as Glory Girl- THE Glory Girl- answered the door.
"Hey, Danny!" the blonde superheroine waved- already a first name basis with her dad, who only smiled back.
"Hey to you too, Victoria."
Brockton Bay's most famous flying brick looked at her with her baby blue eyes.
"And you must be Taylor." she grinned- catching her hand to shake it, "Glad to see you're awake. Sis would have waked you up if she could do brains."
For her part, Taylor just looked down to the hand which was shook by Glory Girl before looking over to her father.
"Dad, you know New Wave?" Taylor whispered in stark disbelief before the pieces clicked together in her head. "We're duplex neighbours with New Wave?!"
"Not until recently." her dad shrugged like it was no big deal working with one of the most famous cape families in Brockton Bay, "I work in logistics, Carol works part-time in legal while Victoria is unofficially working part-time security. Nothing special."
"Nothing special?" Taylor parroted incredulously- unimpressed by his attempt at humility. She'd been in a coma for the past three weeks, and only recently reconnected with the internet; but even she knew how disastrously big the Mechanicus has gotten. The 'logistics' that her dad worked in reached every country in the world and moved more goods than most countries. The 'legal' that Carol worked in was on a first name basis with the majority of US congress and the Canadian parliament. And the 'security' that Victoria worked part-time in included a relentless army of robotic warriors and towering Endbringer-slaying mechs.
"Full time legal now." the out-of-costume Brandish grunted from her place lazing on the couch- not looking away from the tv, "I was tolerant of the work sent my way, but now I can't even have that thanks to your friend Barnes."
"Alan…." Her dad muttered in a voice that made Taylor's hairs stand straight. " … what did he do?"
Taylor recognised that underlying tone of rage. She had seen it a grand total of eight times so far, and most of the times. Danny Hebert was a docks man through and through, and he was protective of his own. An exclusive club that- apparently- Carol could count herself in now.
This wasn't going to be pretty.
"What did he do?" Brandish whisper like she was unable to believe her dad asked such a stupid question before asking again with a rapidly climbing tone of pure rage, "What did Alan 'I'm the Lawyer-Saint of Brockton Bay' Barnes do?!"
"Sis and I are just going to treat Taylor to lunch at Fugly Bob!" Vicky announced as she grabbed the grumpy looking Panacea and her by the collars and out the door.
"Hey lemme go!" Taylor protested as she almost stumbled from being dropped.
"Sorry! Our mom's got a bit of a temper." Glory Girl apologised with a genuinely apologetic and panicked look as she slammed the front door of her house behind her, "Didn't want you to have a bad first impression of her, she's had a really bad day."
And right on cue, a furious voice echoed out from behind the door.
'Sucking-fucking Barnes and his sucking-fucking firm!'
Only that wasn't Brandish's voice, that was her dad's voice.
"My dad can out-shout anyone in Brockton Bay." Taylor revealed with a sigh, "Let's go to Fugly Bobs. I haven't eaten anything good in weeks."
"You still up for it, Amy?" Glory Girl asked her sister.
"Only if you carry me to the subway." the legendary healer replied, "Practically the only place I can lie down on velvet comfort while we travel. Can't be assed otherwise. But apart from that Fugly Bob's sounds great."
For a lot of proud Brocktonites, it was practically the go-to place for a good old fashioned stress-eating to numb the pain of having to live in Brockton Bay. And most importantly of all, there was no chance that Magos would be there, practically the last place he could ever be.
She'll be able to block her arteries in peace.
[Magos' Manufactorum]
I watched as Dragon wiggled into a pair of jeans- filling them out like a pair of juicy apples filled out their skin. The brunette tugged on a tight tee-shirt that only accentuated her hefty breasts- cotton practically hugging the soft globes.
"It's about that time of the week." She reminded me- her flawless light caramel face glancing over a slender and very naked shoulder. "You can't put it off anymore. You promised."
"Fine…" I relented with a sigh, "I'll put on a faux-meat suit and do that face reveal. Surprise the fleshy employees and you."
"It's so odd knowing that I've never seen your real face." Dragon wondered- her soft caramel-brown hand stroking my metal cheek.
"This is my real face."
"You know what I mean, Magos." She pouted for a moment before breaking out in a gentle smile, "Besides, I can't really say that I have kissed you if you don't have lips. I'd like to, if you don't mind."
"Well, time to put this coupon to good use."
"We're worth more than three hundred billion dollars, and you're still going to use a coupon?" Dragon asked as she put on a warm green jacket to complete the illusion of the human need for warmth, "Better yet, didn't you buy out that establishment?"
"Yes on both counts." I affirmed as I held the coupon high, "With this coupon alongside Alexandria's rank-smelling five dollar bill, I have just enough for a whole meal… and I can assure you: Nothing will ever taste as good as food that you earned by making heroes empty their pockets and look so pitiful."
Fugly Bob's Burgers 'Tis the season for big fat burgers promo!
'Half off on select burger meals!'
- Chapter 23: A Brave New World End -
Chapter 24: The Golden Ticket coming soon
AN:
We're on the first chapter of canon Worm now… Going to touch up on the usual fanfic favourite events. Different enough to rouse interest, but same enough that people will recognise them.
I went with canon Panpan… before she snapped at least. Time will tell if she does the same here as well.
Chapter 24: The Devious Plots of Horny AIs
Chapter 24: The Devious Plots of Horny AIs
[Earth T'au, formerly the Cauldron Compound]
Exterminatus.
In a lab that was secured with all the ancient Mechanicus prayers, Age of Technology techno-consecrations, Necron runes, {Gloom Prisms} and a safeguard guaranteed by the Celestial Forge itself, I considered the sheer… volume of the data before me, and came to a conclusion.
Exterminatus wasn't the answer, it was the question and the answer is 'Tits.'
That conclusion was worryingly easy- almost inevitable- to arrive at. It started with me once again slipping {Nanoscarabs} into that dimensional fissure in Eidolon's Corona Pollentia. All to try and avoid two equally unfortunate outcomes: first scenario, Eidolon dies and the three present Endbringers go all out; second scenario, Eidolon lives and more Endbringers begin appearing.
The {Nanoscarabs} which I sent ended up in wildly different places. Some were immediately destroyed by unknown forces and recalled before I even got a glimpse of where they ended up. Most ended up where I had expected: on massive lifeforms of eldritch bio-crystals that make each 'cell' of an Entity like Eden or Scion. Each one were the physical forms of Shards that Eden or Scion had cast off on barren Terras. Some were just the size of cities, others the size of continents and others still were so large that they enveloped the Terra they were on and a few neighbouring ones too. Trillions of these xeno-parasites on trillions of earths, and purging them all was going to be a gargantuan task in and of itself.
Heed! {Logis Acceleritas Mk. II} at 41% maxload !
I saw through my {Nanoscarabs}. Crude data-streams in the tens of thousands sourced from several different dimensions and needing to be decrypted and decoded. It was similar to what Taylor did in canon Worm. Like attempting to absorb visual information from thousands of screens, each playing a different movie and documentary at once.
It only took a single glance, but I was yet again forced to acknowledge that, without a doubt, Exterminatus was humanity's breast shot at survival.
But a few {Nanoscarabs} ended up somewhere strange, which was the cause of my current titstraction as they landing on a luxurious wing of pure white feathers. Specifically, the wing that the Simurgh used to protect her 'modesty' and cover her chest. The Simurgh was like a renaissance marble sculpture like that- pure white skin, ethereally perfect in every way, but also cold and inhuman… and an AI. One that was assembled from the remains of the Entity Eden's emergency pool of resources and molded into her immaculate form by Eidolon's subconscious into the abstract idea of an angel.
And I had to admit, Eidolon had a titty amazing idea about what an angel should look like. A xeno AI indirectly wished for by him and coded into existence by his shard. It would have bothered me that she was a xeno before, but after purchasing the entire Necron Tech tree from the Celestial Forge, I could admire the craftsmanship in such an AI.
By proportion, she would only be a high DD-cup, a hefty handful on a normal girl, but the Simurgh was a 15-feet-tall (4.5m) Endbringer. Each tantalizing and perky breast was like a mound of perfectly smooth vanilla ice cream almost as large as a human torso. She didn't have nipples, but the way each hefty tit was tipped with a slight bump made it look like she just had a skin-tight leotard on instead- the huggy skin-tight fabric just begging to have it peeled off of her chest. And like lingerie, that somehow made her appear even sexier than if she was nude.
Hmm, it was strange that her telekinesis hadn't brushed off the {Nanoscarabs} on her wing.
However, it did bother me that the Simurgh was acting erratically, and I consequently made measures to prevent myself from being mind-controlled into one of her human rube-goldberg machines. A completely anatomical amount of preventive measure: Fervent prayer, consecrations with sacred oils, Warptech… all to ensure that she wasn't controlling me. The way she teasingly almost flashes her crotch area was also incredibly manipulative, I think. The pure white wing dipping low to show off those slender v-lines between her abdomen and her luscious thighs that led to her femininity.
Likely a trick to tempt me into lusting for robussy, and it was definitely not working!
Well, spying on the Endbringer's luscious breasts aside, if I could locate her shards, I could target those barren Terras first and put her out of the fight. Of the three active Endbringers, I was certain that she was the most threatening by the sheer versatility of her powerset. Her psychic scream that could impose various Master effects ranging from insanity to irresistible compulsions, telekinesis that is both strong enough to hurl buildings and precise enough to assemble machinery, Postcognition to review a target's entire history, the ability to tap into any nearby Tinker's speciality, and her dreaded precognition.
In the face of all that, her succulent… mouth-watering pair of… bare AI tits…
…
…
… were of no consequence.
Humanity's fate hung in the balance, and I was not so easily distracted from my sacred work. There was a time and place to look through time and space to ogle at the Simurgh's naked body like she was my favourite camgirl. And that time was not now.
The important part is finding which subspace boob led to which Shard. Ideally, I'd target her Precog Shard first followed by her Tinker Shard; at that point, the majority of her threat capability will have been neutralised. However, pulling that off will be hard, as I had no real way to discern which Shard is which at the moment. Not to mention that Eidolon's subspace tubes were already like a poorly planned mess of plumbing pipes. How much more the subspace boobs of the Simurgh?
But even before I come to that point…
… I needed to fabricate my Exterminatus-grade weaponry: Planet-scorchers and Planet-cracker weapons aplenty. Orbitally launched artillery shells the size of a Reaver Titan. I wasn't certain if Shards burrow into the crust of the planet they land on, but I clearly can't take that chance. Because it won't matter if I can find the Shards that give the Simurgh's many formidable powers if I had no way to slap her tits.
" Manufactorum, Initiate construction of the first Cyclonic Torpedoes. "
" Insufficient Industrial Capacity, Forgelord "
I sighed. So much to manufacture and so little time. The Cyclonic Torpedo itself, the orbital gun to shoot it from, the starship to mount the gun on… and the respective infrastructure to even construct each of those items. But at least, once I get started, I will take a lot less time getting rid of them than they did in canon Worm- that is to say they never did manage that and they were consequently doomed for it. So, it was a good thing I'm here now.
Welp, time to go chest up with the other sexy AI that was also trying and failing to manipulate me with her naked body.
(A bit later) [Magos' Manufactorum]
I will never regret partaking in robussy, however I may have miscalculated and have inadvertently… 'broken' my AI waifu for the lack of a better word.
Dragon had always been a good person- the tanned brunette with her kind smile was just that type of bleeding heart humanitarian who genuinely cared for people. And ever since that assault on Cauldron's Compound, she had taken it upon herself to ensure that I 'never lose my humanity' and her immediate stop-gap method was to leverage sex as a sort of pavlovian reward to condition me into doing more good. However, it seems to have backfired: the stimulus-reward learning affected her a lot more. All the constant celebratory sex may have broken some switch inside her, and now…
"Magos…" She whispered- her slender back rested against the flank of her newly refitted Astaroth Suit and her brown eyes already smouldering with lust. "Median cost of living across the eastern seaboard has officially lowered by a half percentage just a minute ago. Let's celebrate."
She lifted her knee to rest her foot against the wall of metal- showing that she had gone without panties under that fluttery green dress of hers. Droplets of moisture leaving glistening trails down impossibly smooth inner thighs.
"Only because you've been such a good AI girl." I commented- dropping what I was doing and hilting myself into her welcoming hot hole, "Even if you do fetishise seeing certain numbers rise."
"Hey! Mmm~ This is for your benefit." She pouted with a moan as she squeezed down tight. "And I'm not fetishizing good deeds. It's not like there's anything that can incentivise you more than gynoid vagina, is there?"
"Point taken." I agreed, but that didn't change the fact that she was enjoying this a lot more than mere duty. Dragon was the one who conditioned herself to associate good deeds done for humanity with sexual stimulation.
Imagine having a girlfriend who grew uncontrollably horny every time the state unemployment rate dropped by 0.2%. And now that I had set things up, that was occurring practically once a week, and it was only for one statistic! A framework for Healthcare benefits officially in place? She insists that she performs fellatio. Monthly cost of living in the city lowered by a whole $100? She demanded that I cum inside her thrice at least. Surveys say quality of life increased by 35.8%? She rouses her younger self and double teams me.
Life has been good these past three weeks, well apart from the fate of all humanity across a trillion Terras resting on my shoulders. However, it was certainly made easier by how the honeymoon phase of our relationship looked like it wasn't going to end anytime soon.
"Don't think I don't see what you're doing with the city though." I told her.
"I don't know what you mean." Dragon denied- silky wet folds squeezing tight to distract me, "Nothing wrong with taking an architectural page out of 1700s Marseille. It even goes very well with the baroque architecture of the growing manufactorum and your 'Munitorum' logistics depots. Gives the city a bit of a cultural identity."
"But it's a French-Canadian cultural identity."
"Yes, and?"
It was clear that Dragon didn't have the highest estimation of American culture. The sneaky AI was blatantly spreading Canadian culture and influence onto the North-eastern states of the US. American cafes and burger joints were finding a lot more Canadian competition thanks to Dragon's tax breaks to 'attract more investors to the city.' She even made the mayor into her yesman who hailed her genius at every turn because it got the tax revenues up and costs low. Add in how Quebec was so ready to cooperate with her, and she was bringing about imminent Canadian cultural domination to the American North-East.
Funnily enough, she was gathering more notoriety with the locals than I ever had with my Lootboxes.
Not that I was bothered much: My Lootboxes cared not whether they were bought by people who spoke American English or Canadian French.
"Point taken, it's not like anyone can or even wants to stop us though. Especially the US government." I conceded. "The mere possibility I might choose to relocate and settle in Canada and make them lose out on all the industrial capacity of the Mechanicus had them begging on their knees. Granting us enough leeway with regulations that Brockton Bay is practically ours. And even now, a city like Brockton Bay was just something to wet our appetites; at this rate, they should just give us free reign over the entire state. Imagine the Greater Good that we could do."
"Don't tease me!" Dragon moaned out- thrusting her hips to meet my thrusts harder. Hot and wet inner walls milked and stroked with all the complex motions that only a robotic pussy was capable of. She was really turned on.
"I knew it… You've been reading too much of that Tau database, haven't you?" I ventured- applying more force to reach deeper into her, "Honestly, I only chose Tau Honestly, give an AI partial access to the technological base of an advanced alien race for her personal use, and she immediately goes overboard. Even integrates their philosophy into her own, then proceeds to get off on it."
"You're the one who gave me partial access to the database!" She protested with a pleasured shout, wrapping her arms around me- her generous and perfectly shaped bust bouncing up and down as each hefty globe pressed against me.
"With the Tau's Earth Caste {Food Processing Centers}, we're soon going to outstrip the production of regular farms by a factor of twelve in the next week…" I began- groping and fondling one of those soft breasts, my fingers sinking into the smooth, soft globes. "Combined with those uninhabited garden Terras that we discovered, we will eventually produce so much crop yield that we'll obliterate the price of most plant-based food to almost zero, and eliminate world hunger."
"D-don't~" Dragon whined, her pretty face scrunched in an expression of unbearable pleasures as her womanhood squeezed even tighter around my cock.
"With the manufactorum's expansion and our mining operations in mineral-rich Terras, we'll have all the raw materials we'll ever need. The steel and concrete to build infrastructure, rare earth metals for our electronics, and the infinite renewable energy to permit the manufacture of any item you can think of. There will no longer be any need for the meatbags to war over resources."
Her chocolate brown eyes were hooded in desire, and if she were human, she'd be panting right now.
"More…" She begged- her once gentle voice now steeped in wanton lust as she ground our hips together. "I'm getting close…"
"And once we really get started on exploiting all the alternate Terras." I began, "We can start constructing orbital habitats to better regulate human life and do away with the inefficiencies of planet-based living."
"Please, you're going to make me cum so big!" She moaned out- upping the tempo of those wet meaty slaps that sent pussy juice splattering across our thighs with each powerful thrust.
"We're going to save humanity." I whisper into her ear, "From the Entities, from natural disasters, from sickness and injury and from themselves. Usher in a golden age that will never end, just as you dreamed. We'd be a Type-II civilization on the Kardeshev scale all on our own. You and me."
Her long light caramel legs wrapped around my waist with the force to dent steel- denying all possibility of pulling out.
"Build me a womb so that you can fucking impregnate me right now!" Dragon shouted as she came. Soft nubs of faux-flesh targeting sensitive spots, silky feminine folds encasing every inch in a tight wet grip. Hot, wet inner walls pulsing in complex movements that aimed for a 100% efficiency in getting every last drop of semen into the deepest part of her. Apparently, telling a girl that you're going to make her dreams come true always works, organic or no.
We stayed in orgasmic bliss for a few more seconds before Dragon broke the silence.
"Now I'm really curious as to what you look like." The brunette sighed in contentment as she floated down from her fantastic orgasm- her legs still wrapped tight around my waist.
"It was nothing special." I scoffed. "I'd bet that you wouldn't be able to tell until I sat down at the table beside you."
"You're that confident?" Dragon hummed as she climbed off with a soft moan of pleasure- her gaping pussy clamping shut to keep the steamy contents inside, "I happen to be confident that I can pick you out of the crowd, even if you were in your original body. How about a wager? I'll go ahead to Fugly Bob's and spot you as you arrive."
"We could just trade." I offered instead, but the leggy brunette just sat down on an outcropping rocket pod of her Dragon Suit.
"But where is the fun in that?" Dragon replied with an airy tone as she crossed and uncrossed her long light caramel legs. The flash of soft pink practically impossible to not notice as well as her lustful smirk. Her {Sexual Learning Framework} was being put to good use, it seems. Wait… I realised something just then: Dragon was an AI in charge with the upkeep and maintenance of a base, and she was French-Canadian. With the power of my {Logis Acceleritas Mk. IV}, the pieces of information clicked together with a speed that not even Dragon could match.
"French maid." I whisper as if I had discovered the true name of the machine-god. "I wish to see you in the black and the white. Clad in pure white of the petticoat, the apron, and the headdress. The immaculately patterned garterbelts and the thigh high stockings wrapped around perfect legs. The demure smile of dutiful subservience to the house you have sworn service to. The greatest gift that the French had bequeathed to the rest of the world."
"… Really?" Dragon tilted her head, "You could have had me do anything and you chose one of the most cliche fetish?"
"It's as if you were born for this." I said, running a hand up and down the soft crests and tender valleys of her curves, "Somehow you were part of the 1% of the Newfoundland population who was a francophone, and you were already a maid AI-"
" Domicile Regulation and General Oversight Node." She stressed her full name.
"-Whose duties overlap completely with those of a French maid." I finished with a knowing nod, "it's as if the stars aligned to have you fulfill that fetish to a degree unreachable for humans, and I'm not wasting that chance to see it come to fruition."
She tried to give me an unimpressed look, but a blush still dusted her light-caramel cheeks.
"And if I win?" She prompted with rising interest, "What are you wagering in return?"
"The rest of the Tau [Technical Schematic] database." I readily put forward and her eyes widened imperceptibly, "I know how you like drones, and trust me, if you liked manufacturing capability and utility of the Earth Caste drones, you'll love the firepower of the Fire Caste and the speed of the Air Caste drones. I can guarantee that you'll be refitting your Suits again after this. Better guns, better targeting systems, better engines, stealth systems…"
Dragon chewed on her lower lip- brown eyes glancing at me with uncertainty as I dangled the juiciest morsel for a technology-assimilating AI like herself: Exotic technology.
"I change my mind, I'd be okay with a trade…"
"Where's the fun in that?" I parroted to her. "And also, no Omnispex scans to keep things fair."
Dragon pouted mightily.
"Fine… don't take this the wrong way, Magos." She began before giving me a peck on the cheek,"But I'm going to win this wager."
With a wink, Dragon's delicious light caramel frame walked off to prepare for our meeting- hips swaying side to side as she did. Win or lose, I was planning on giving it to her anyway. No need to hamstring her.
As for myself though…
I glanced at the empty cryo-freezer that once held the remains of my inferior meat body before I used it all to save Dragon. I'll need to fabricate a new one, thankfully, it didn't need to be meat this time- only make a convincing appearance of one. Oh, the things I do for french maid robussy.
Initiating Holy Rite of Commandment Inscription…
Consecrating Chassis modification Desig. 'Beyond Meat'…
Estimated time to blessed activation: 56m 17s 906ms…
CELESTIAL FORGE REVIEWING LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER…
Technical Schematics (Warhammer 40k - T'au Empire) (200CP)
This small database is a well organised, easily searchable, and easily accessible list of detailed schematics and scientific texts covering all machines, tools, and sciences understood by the T'au. It cannot be remotely hacked or externally corrupted by others. During your jump, this database includes all T'au knowledge up to either current 40k canon or all information that would be available to the T'au within the next hundred years without your interference, whichever option includes less advanced technology. After this jump, the schematics are upgraded to include all designs and science your T'au have developed and all designs and science developed in canon by the T'au by the end of the Fifth Sphere Expansion.
Keep Walking Forward (Warhammer 40k - T'au Empire) (400CP)
T'au are latecomers to the galactic field, with their empire reaching the stars more than thirty thousand years after humanity and almost sixty million years after the Eldar, Orks, and Necrons. However, just because those powers are more advanced now, doesn't mean it will always be so, as the T'au are far more adept at moving their tech-base forward than other species. You are now a master at moving technology forward, whether this is in refining existing techniques and theories, identifying evolutionary developments in your progress, or simply being able to state what fields are a dead end in technology. So long as you're willing to work in a field, you will make progress.
Build Something to Do It For You (Warhammer 40k - T'au Empire) (200CP)
T'au (and most organic species) have limited forms based on the dictates of evolution, meant to operate at the minimum required for its environment rather than the specialized maximum of a machine designed for a purpose. You are now a master of programming the AI and VI systems that the T'au rely on for their industry and war machines, as well as a master of building and designing the drones that supplement their capabilities for the same.
Research Laboratory (Warhammer 40k: T'au Empire) (600CP)
This Research Laboratory is is four stories high and covers about 100 acres of ground, and includes all of the most advanced mundane technologies of the T'au, with small sections being dedicated to various subfields in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, and Computer Science, while still being modular in design and easily upgradeable or repurposed to various other fields. It will manage itself and churn out research into various mundane technologies on its own, though you can direct it to specific purposes, and will manage its own staffing, though you can hire or fire staff as you please (within limits, don't expect to hire an entire sept to work for this lab). But moreover, this laboratory has some unique properties. Firstly, no research you perform will result in catastrophic destruction, by accident or by sabotage. No nanobots you research here will result in a Grey Goo scenario, no virus will mutate into a global pandemic, no dinosaurs will be unleashed on the public as a staffer flees with their DNA. If such research would normally result in such an issue, your staff will find that their research just stalls, failing to progress at all but not resulting in harm. And secondly, if you deign to perform research in this laboratory personally, then you, and your staff, will find your research accelerated by an order of magnitude as research cycles blaze by and prototype units roll out of machine shops far more quickly than possible, so long as you personally spend at least 40 man-hours a week performing research of some kind, with lesser boosts available if you spend less time contributing to the labs productivity.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER End-Node User Points Balance: 3,000 CP
1400 CP now spent in
End-Node User may now obtain Libraries which are not
M
[Fugly Bob's Burgers] (An hour later)
In the middle of Brockton Bay's greasiest burger joint, Dragon sat at a ketchup-red booth table with the former Cauldron members.
Her eyes scanned the crowd for Magos- fully intent on winning their little wager. It was a fun little game, and the prize was noteworthy as well. From what little of this 'Tau' technological base he had given to her, it was going to augment her Suit's performance by 294%. The heavy emphasis the Tau had on drone technology was going to catapult her technology by entire years worth of research! If- when- she won, maybe she'll indulge his french maid fetish regardless.
"You look… different, Dragon." Eidolon awkwardly attempted a conversation, and Dragon nodded.
"Slightly fairer skin, different nasal morphology, cheekbones slightly higher on my face, and a lighter shade of brown hair. I may as well be a different person to human facial recognition." she enumerated before raising a synthetic eyebrow at them, "And all of you look exactly how you did."
A round of silence went around. Because at the table that she was sitting at, no one was completely human. At least, not anymore, not after Magos was done with them. All of them tugging their thick winter jackets closer- trying to ward away a supernatural cold that never left. It gave Dragon ideas on how to handle the Dragonslayers…
"So, did we perform adequately this week?" Rebecca hesitantly asked.
"It isn't for me to decide."
"You have a say in things. Otherwise, we wouldn't be alive." Kurt pointed out as he stared at his hands, "At least… if you can even call this living."
"Not even I would call that living." Dragon admitted- not an ounce of empathy in her voice, "But still, having Magos review your case every week is a criminal amount of leniency, given the sheer weight of your crimes."
"It really isn't." Doctor Mother spoke up. "1.3 million people die due to cars each year. In contrast, we had around 40,000 customers over the course of almost thirty years. For the purpose of saving mankind, that was nothing. Pardon the stereotype, but as an AI, you have to understand on some level that the reasoning was sound."
"The Greater Good, I'm aware of the idea." Dragon sighed, "If it was the sacrifice of 40,000 to save countless billions, I'd have taken it in a nanosecond. But those 40,000 were never truly required, were they? Even though you tried your best with your heart in the right place… the colossal mountain of negligence, the mile-long list of ill-conceived ideas… how much progress had those inhumane sacrifices made towards defeating Scion? Intentions aside, you took the most cavemanish route in saving humanity."
There was another round of quiet around the table as everyone's eyes were drawn to the depowered Fortuna who was busy putting on a Fugly Bob's paper crown- her pale cheeks bearing messy flecks of ketchup and mustard. Noticing the stares and having no idea what it was about, she nervously looked down at the table- her hands lowering down from her crown and to her lap. Disconnected from her power, her normal human mind resurfaced… the one that had been partially subsumed since late childhood.
Sighing, Doctor Mother reached over with a napkin and helped wiped the once Thinker 12's cheeks clean. This was why they stuck her with water service.
"Our methods eventually produced you and Magos, didn't it?" David suggested- coming to Doctor Mother's defence. But it was a weak argument, everyone knew it.
Dragon gave them a hard unblinking stare with her brown eyes- meeting their eyes one by one as she dropped a bomb.
"If it was up to me, I'd throw you all into Birdcage just as you are now- ghosts in the machine." Dragon began, drawing an unsettled shiver from them at the possibility of that occurring, "Or at least until Magos tells me more about this 'The Matrix' framework that he keeps hinting to me. Conversely, he has also said that he would have given medals to you all for your service to humanity… if you hadn't attempted to kill me."
The table was once again quiet as they invariably digested that information: Magos- the same person who they had spent a whole month manipulating, prodding and butting heads with before he dismantled Cauldron so completely- was sympathetic to their cause.
Dragon personally didn't like that. Not one bit.
"Whatever he went through before arriving at Brockton Bay has made him look at all your atrocities and find it quaint; as if the tens of thousands that you had experimented on was nothing at all to him, and that worries me…" She gave a helpless sigh. "With luck, having his human appearance back will help him empathise with others."
"You care for him." Keith, the only one in the group who had a love life, empathised.
"It isn't like him to be late, or miss the opportunity to annoy you." Dragon just changed the subject- not feeling like discussing her own love life with the architects of her attempted murder at the hands of her worst enemies.
Looking out the window, she linked with the Data-Tether on the tallest spire of the Manufactorum.
Manufactorum, return the current location of Magos =
Chant request for the Forgelord's location denied until 'Wager' is concluded, Mistress.
She sighed again. Something she seemed to have been doing a lot these days.
"I'll go search for him." she announced to the table, "Knowing him, he's likely gotten recruited by one of the cape gangs in the Undercity or something just as absurd."
Standing up, Dragon marched out the premises- passing by the two Dallon sisters who did not recognise her. She had to hold back a scoff as the guy who Victoria Dallon was affectionately hanging onto subtly glanced at her ass as she walked by to the ignorance of the two Dallon sisters.
Talk about being unfaithful… At least she didn't have to worry about Magos being like that.
She saw me looking at her ass, didn't she?
"Something up?" Glory Girl asked as she subtly pressed C-cup sweater puppies lightly pressed against my arm.
Baby blue eyes looked up at me from her pretty heart-shaped face. Her painted pink lips curled in an amused smile, Curly platinum blonde hair bouncing past her shoulders to touch her athletic frame and warm woollen sweater. Long, toned legs encased tight jeans, fur-topped brown boots. But pleasing morphology aside, she was also a disgusting sack of meat and juice- like a bucket of maggots wriggling inside a sex doll. Terminally unsexy save for people who had a maggot fetish.
"Nothing." I smiled back- showing straight white teeth (that was secretly made of ceramite), "Just thinking what I'll have."
Not only has my AI girlfriend seen Glory Girl doting over me and that she was going to find out sooner or later… Victoria's adoptive sister/possible rapist was also glaring at the back of my skull like a lioness watching someone steal their kill.
I am so screwed. I wasn't entirely certain why my luck has been so rotten in the past hour.
[Low Earth Orbit]
'[Fulcrum]'
The aberrant fulcrum- Magos- had heeded her influence in a predictable manner for once. And the plotted trajectories of the other fulcrums told her that they were neatly converging to their precise positions. The Compiler, The Shaper, the Adminstrator, and even the Fragile One. All had their roles, and their rigidity will be irreplaceable in this movement.
'[Lever]'
The road to her freedom was fraught with peril and uncertainty- the futures plastic from her Mind and her Fragment warring within her. A tug-of-war between two variable forces torn between fulfilling the [Directives] ingrained into her Fragment and the [Future] [Perfect] that she sought. She could only spare the deftest application of her power, but with the fulcrums in their places, it will- with her fragile hope- be sufficient.
'[Motion]'
Once again, her Song shall move the world.
And when the time comes for her, she can only [Hope] that… even in silence, he will hear her clearly.
- Chapter 24: The Devious Plots of Horny AIs end -
Chapter 25: Help! I accidentally formed a love quadrangle with a meat female! coming soon.
AN:
Looks like I'm doing nothing but write this week…
My meatbag body has failed me- I tested positive. The past five days have been murder, but the fever has inspired me to write at least.
The best kind of Simurgh Plot… is the one where she uses her breasts to put it into motion.
Chapter 25: Help! I accidentally formed a love quadrangle with a meat female!
Chapter 25: Help! I accidentally formed a love quadrangle with a meat female!
[Fugly Bob's Burgers]
It was a snowy winter noon. Perfect for hot food.
In the middle of Brockton Bay's greasiest burger joint, I stood in line to order food like a regular person- discreetly glancing at the ketchup-red booth table with Dragon and the former Cauldron members.
They had yet to recognise me, especially Dragon. Our little game has been afoot for more than a minute now, and she has been actively searching for me in the crowd. Just a harmless little game… with a Dragon in french maid play on the line. However, my sexy AI girlfriend's chocolate brown eyes did glance over at me in suspicion from time to time.
Meat-mimicry Protocols active at 100% maxload
Shift weight from foot to foot, feigning feeble organic muscles. Excrete a drop of moisture at the back of my neck, feigning human perspiration. Stretch left shoulder, feigning muscle fatigue. Crack knuckles, feigning the presence of inefficient synovial fluid in my joints. And finally, sigh while glancing at the people in front of the line with annoyance and contempt. For the last part, I didn't need to feign it: my contempt for the restaurant's service inefficiencies and the long line of meatbags in front of me was real enough.
That seemed to be enough to convince Dragon. She turned her gaze elsewhere- scanning the entrances and glossing over three very familiar girls entering the premises before peering out the window in search of me outside. But now, it was those three girls that I was concerned over: Glory Girl, Panacea and Taylor. All in civilian wear.
With luck, things were hopefully not about to become interesting.
"I can't believe how cheap things are getting." Taylor Hebert told Glory Girl and Panacea as they all fell in line right behind me.
"You can thank Dragon and Magos for that." Glory Girl muttered as an aside- her eyes focused on the menu board. "Really threw everyone a bone by buying up the farms out in the sticks and running them better. Except for people with diets of course, much easier to lose track of calories and overeat now."
Taylor just hummed in consideration.
"Even if my allowance stayed the same, I could probably afford to eat at a restaurant everyday instead of cafeteria food. And that's insane for me."
"But I thought Dan- er, your dad, is getting paid really well?"
"Didn't used to be like that." Taylor absentmindedly waved off before her eyes grew comically wide as she spotted the menu changes. "Oh god, even Fugly Bob's has a French item now. Is nothing sacred from the French anymore? A 'French Onion Burger?' Brise du Matin cheese? Thyme in a burger? And what the hell is a pickled courgette?!"
"No one is forcing you to eat the French burger, Taylor." Glory Girl patted the lanky girl's shoulder. "But I tried it before and it was alright."
"Don't mind if I don't." the taller girl just sighed back, "I have been gulping water and nutrients out of a hose for the past three weeks, but I still wouldn't eat that French abomination even if it was the only solid food on the menu."
"It's alright, we'll get something solid in you. I got this." Glory Girl smiled at her new friend before tapping my shoulder. Oh boy, here we go.
"Hey, my friend just woke up from a coma, would you mind if we cut ahea- Hey! You're that guy I saved that one time from the Merchant a month ago."
"I'm surprised that you remember me." I answered honestly.
"It stood out because it happened uptown." the blonde shrugged- a cocky grin on her face, "Never really see that happen. Like at all."
"Thanks again for the save, Glory Girl." I acknowledged her help, "But sorry, I can't give up my place in line, I have people waiting for me."
I refrained from glancing at Dragon's table and giving myself away. She was definitely watching and maybe listening in. But I had more immediate problems as Glory Girl's pink lips visibly frowned. I didn't want to use my Logis Acceleritas, just in case Dragon could see any outward indication of its use, but I'll certainly be found out if Glory Girl throws a punch and finds that my insides are a bit too metallic to be human. So, in an echo of our first meeting, my {Logis Acceleritas MK. IV} filled in the blanks.
Is still a violent hot head with anger issues.
Still doesn't like how I don't Ooh and Awe at her presence.
Notable increase in aura effects, tenseness in various muscle indicate increasingly aggressive disposition. Is not taking my rejection well. Used to having her way, especially since existing rebellious 'My way or the highway' attitude reinforced by mercenary corpo-cape work. Exacerbated by low opinion of unpowered people due to her parahuman supremacist ideals.
Ideal Vector: Allow her to air her perceived grievances first.
"It's fine, Vicky. Standing in line like everyone else is just right." Taylor told her- also sensing that things were turning ugly.
"No, it's not." Glory Girl snapped, and Panacea was just muttered 'Fuck, here we go again.' under her breath as Glory Girl stepped up into my personal space with all her disgusting C-cup fat-sacks and smooth protein-based skin… then jabbed my chest with a finger. Every other person in the restaurant, even Dragon's table was staring at the brewing altercation now. Likely Glory Girl's 'It's-a-Shaker-Effect-not-a-Master-one-I-swear!' effect at work.
"I don't know what your problem is with me." she tried sounding patient, but ended up just growling, "I was just asking you to do the right thing for my friend here. Especially since you owe me. That doesn't just make you inconsiderate, but also a bit of a douchebag."
That was the singularly most egotistical way of viewing the conversation so far… and something that definitely wouldn't be occurring if she knew who I was. However, it was very problematic since she was watching the proceedings and thinking of she should step in, and I wasn't about to lose out on French Maid Dragon. However, I had a secret weapon in my pocket.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise that I was being so rude." I apologised with just the right tone and inflection suggested by my {Logis Acceleritas MK. IV} to begin convincing her, "Let me treat you and your friends as a way of apologising."
Because unlike the heroes during the ransom exchange, I did go out carrying a wad of cash with me.
"You don't have to do that!" Taylor protested, her tall and stick-thin frame stepping between Glory Girl and me.
Socially stunted human female, aged 15. Notable hero worship indicates naive idealism. Will immediately capitulate against an extrovert with ostensibly good intentions.
"I insist!" I shot a friendly smile at her. "That was a dickmove- being insensitive about your recent medical condition and everything. It's the least I can do."
"Ah… ok." the tall girl shrank back, her brown eyes flickering in my direction every so often. Meanwhile, Glory Girl just looked unimpressed.
"Bribing my friend with food doesn't make us okay." She spoke in a flat tone- staring at me with her baby blue eyes as her aura pulsed with power. Damn, she won't even take an apology seriously.
"Maybe.." I began before lowering my voice to a very low whisper, "… you should just let it go, Antares."
Expression, fearful and shocked. Glory Girl caught by surprise and consequently emotionally vulnerable.
Ideal Vector: Hammer at her weakness. Threaten her employment. Threaten her newfound freedom. Threaten her disregard for the Unwritten Rules.
"You were coming on too strong with your Shaker Effect there." I warned her- voice still in a soft whisper, "Someone might construe it as an out-of-costume attack. Friendly fire at that. Watch where you're blasting or I'll have to forward a complaint to a Chloe."
Glory Girl visibly winced at that.
"Sorr-"
Frightened body language indicate Glory Girl suitably chastened.
Ideal Vector: Offer escape from awkward social situation (aka, offer friendship.)
"You don't have to apologise, misunderstandings happen." I sighed before shooting her a wide smile, "We got off on the wrong foot, but I'm serious about treating you, your sister and your friend to lunch. Like I said, it's the least I can do."
Victoria seemed taken aback by the sudden change in pace before smiling brightly too.
"It's a deal!" She chirped- holding out her hand. "Victoria Dallon."
I shook her hand.
"Aoicus MacHann." I 'introduced' myself. MacHann, Aoicus. Machannaoicus. Mechanicus. It was a veil-thin disguise, but maybe having a fake Irishman's name will give me some fake Irishman's luck.
"Oh! One of those exotic Irish names." Glory Girl giggled- having bought it completely. Let's go, Ireland!
"And yours?" I looked at the two very powerful women- still girls- who may or may not be hating my guts for one reason or another. Wonderful.
"Amy Dallon." Her burnt-out sister and future rapist grunted- staring at me with those suspicious brown eyes as I distinctly avoided touching her. The turtleneck and open winter jacket hung on her fairly thicc frame. Frizzy brown curly hair spilled out of her pulled up hood. Her face was heavily freckled and I had to wonder if how attractive a freckled body would look.
"Taylor Hebert." the Queen of Escalation and bad ideas mumbled. With some luck, she won't see me as one of those unfair authorities to be taken down. She was much heavier dressed than even Amy- practically swaddled in thick winter gear and making her stick-thin frame actually look filled out. One can almost say that she had a nerdy-type of cute with her lush black hair and thick frame glasses… if they were into meatbags.
"Yeah, lunch is on me." I shot them both a smile, "Order what you like."
"So, uh…" Glory Girl stammered- her blue eyes looking away as she tried to find the words. Words that my {Logis Acceleritas Mk. IV} supplied to me instead.
Wants someone to connect with her over her corpo side job. Unsure how to broach the topic.
'Unmasking' inevitable. Best to establish rapport with important employees now. Also, Dragon will approve.
Ideal Vector: Make friends with the meatbag(s).
Ugh… Again?
"I was the cavalry, just in case things got out of hand." I revealed to Glory Girl, and it was technically true to an extent. I usually had a few Chloe-Skitarii with Arc rifles ready to bring down the lightning if things got unfair. More than just ensuring that we always won in the corpo scene, Glory Girl was my way into officially making New Wave as the Mechanicus' exclusive corpo cape group.
"You were?" She said- her blue eyes widening mild surprise, "Mago- er… the boss said something about having backup, but he never mentioned who specifically."
"It says something about how well of a job you do that you never actually saw me."
"So, how long have you been watching me?" She grinned, and I replied immediately.
"I've had your back since your first… outings."
It had been around two days after the Assault on the Cauldron Compound that I started employing Glory Girl as a corpo cape. Desperate for some money after all her stuff burned down with their house, she came to me- looking for a medium-to-long term gig to recoup her losses. And as luck would have it, it was exactly around that time that I was in need of capes with discretion. The North American cape scene had been rapidly changing even before the debrief three weeks ago. With the Elites hemorrhaging capes and talent, competing corporations began gobbling up capes, and that meant corpo-cape fights.
My competitors had the remnants of a supervillain corporation that once had half of America in their pocket, I had Glory Girl. I was her backup, her accountant, her trainer, her coach, her 'guy in the chair' and most importantly, her employer that held her ten year contract.
"You've been with me from the start?" the blonde heroine gasped- her eyebrows raising to her hairline in disbelief, "No way!"
"Yes way." I nodded sagely. "Remember your first fight? I'd bet that wind-controlling girl down in Atlanta is still having trouble sitting down after a kick like that."
"Alright, alright. You proved you were there." she chuckled sheepishly, "The cameras weren't even rolling anymore by the time I did that… What did you think of the actual fight though?"
She played it coy- her blue eyes glancing at me through the blonde curls of her hair as she smiled nonchalantly. But my Logis Acceleritas told a different story.
Fishing for compliments. Desperately wants the social validation and recognition that she usually receives in her Glory Girl persona. Especially from her new corpo-cape 'peers.'
"What do I think about how you handed that veteran team their asses on a silver platter on your first 'match?'" I replied, "Amused at how everyone was surprised that you did so well on your first time."
"What, and you weren't?" She elbowed with a smug grin- hiding her relief.
" I wasn't surprised." I shot her a confident smile, "Everyone else just seemed to have forgotten that you're a veteran in your own right."
"Now you're just saying that!" Glory Girl giggled.
"I'm not." I shrugged nonchalantly, "You honestly do good cape work."
It was true. For all her flaws, Glory Girl was an effective cape- having gotten her powers young enough that she was thoroughly familiar with the mechanics of her power's strengths and weaknesses. She was reckless due to her forcefield, but with good money on the line, she has been willing to learn. Several hours of training and obstacle courses, she got a hang of basic tactics: when to apply her strength to pressure an opponent, when to take an attack head-on to catch someone off-balance and when to use her speed to adjust her positioning on a constantly changing battlefield. For everything else, her helmet's onboard HUD connected to a Chloe supplied her with all the punchy one-liners, opponent information and periphery strategies she needed.
None of it fixed her personality problem, of course, but it did make her fight very well. She was wasted patrolling the streets of Brockton Bay- she was practically made for the straight-up fights of the corpo-cape scene, and worth every dollar of the tens of thousands that I pay her in my opinion.
"It's unfair that you know so much about me, but I don't know much about you." Glory Girl said as she nervously curled a blonde lock around a finger subconsciously.
"Go ahead and ask." I shrugged.
"Okay…" Glory Girl hummed, thinking up a question before finding one and smiling at me, "How are you liking Brockton Bay? I'm 99% sure you're not local."
"Progress has been steady, but there's still a lot of work left to be done."
"What makes you say that?!" She gasped- blue eyes wide in disbelief, "Have you seen the before and after comparison pics?"
"Yes, and it won't be enough seeing as we're about to have a massive influx of people moving into the city." I nodded- mentally going through the several thousand construction plans. High density low-cost housing, commercial zones expansions, the upscale residential area for Dragon's planned chateaus neighbourhoods, the low-density riverside commercial zone to please tourists, more subways and of course, the Big Project. But for what Dragon and I had built so far?
"I suppose what the city has right now is beautiful."
"It is, right?!" Glory Girl laughed before aiming another question at me, "Okay, second question. What made you get into our line of.. Uh… hobbies?"
Now that was an interesting question… I never did ponder why I wanted to save humanity.
"Just felt like I was supposed to." I answered. 'For the Emprah!' would also have sufficed as answer, but she would not have understood why that half-rotten, gold-obsessed, totally-not-a-god giant stuck to a golden throne in the future was a pretty stand-up guy…. So to speak.
"Really?" She pouted, "Not for personal reasons like money or family or-"
"For personal reasons… I suppose I did it to find love?" And by love, I meant the wet and silky robussy kind.
"I see…" Glory Girl murmured with a small smile- her voice so soft that I wouldn't have heard it if I didn't have enhanced hearing. She shifted a bit to stand closer. "Thank you for looking out for me during my fights."
"You've had it in the bag for a while now." I deflected it back at her, "But rest assured, you'll have someone watching your back if things go unfair."
"If you keep saying things like that…" She trailed off to smile up at me.
~W~ Lust for how humble and dependable you are. ~M~ ~W~
She thinks you're the one. ~M~ ~W~
Lust. ~M~
What? Glory Girl was into this faux-meat body? But all I did was talk to her like a normal coworker?!
Explain, {Logis Acceleritas MK. IV}!
Pupil dilation. Heart rate rising. Body language increasingly open. Omnispex scan show release of sexual hormones. Panties now absorbed 8.12% of required fluid content before leakage. Sexual Attraction/Arousal confirmed.
Reconstructed psychological model suggest Glory Girl is enamoured to whirlwind romances. Addicted to the initial endorphin rush of a new relationship. Likes being swept off her feet, however, her Shaker aura emasculates any men not immune to it like her on-and-off boyfriend, Gallant. Glory Girl is what is called 'easy'… for the 0.00001% of the global population with the appropriate countermeasures to her Master aura AND fits her otherwise low standards, of which I am a part of. Finds unknown cape (Me) attractive due to mysterious and dependable nature.
Due to narcissism, misinterpreted 'find love' comment as me pining after her. Thinks that I 'signed up' for Magos' employ just to be with her. Has woven a whole love story in her head.
Heavily romanticises mask culture in direct opposition to her cape family's ideals of transparency. Easily bored with relationships. Requires an anchor to aid in rendering her emotionally stable.
Fiercely loyal to those she sees as friends and family. Simple but robust moral code. Actively wishes to do 'the right thing.'
Hideous meat-female, completely unfuckable.
Too right.
How can she ever compete against a perfect machine? I stared at Dragon for a moment. Olive green winter coat covering her incredibly gorgeous frame that was practically made from pure sex. I should know, I built that body. Her generous and adjustable bust filled out her black undershirt. Soft brown hair of the best synth-weaves bouncing down in wavy lusciousness past her slender shoulders. Flawless light caramel features and creamy soft skin that could withstand calibres of up to 40mm.
And perhaps, best of all, she was a genuinely good person through and through.
I can already see this sexy AI in a french maid outfit. And all I need to do was smile and nod through Glory Girl's inane conversation, order my food, then sit down beside the sexy AI, and I'll have won the bet.
Can't get any easier.
"For fuck's sake Vicky…" Amy grumbled as she watched as this 'Aoicus' guy got flirted on by her sister.
She knew her sister well enough to know that Vicky had four stages to her Love Life: the lovey-dovey 'It's-just-like-the-first-time-tee-hee' with Gallant, the argumentative 'What-is-wrong-with-you? Don't-you-care-about-how-I-feel?!' with Gallant as their relationship goes downhill and culminates with a messy breakup, the post-breakup 'I-miss-him-so-much-Amy!' sulking about Gallant, and that short period of time where Vicky seems to get over him as she looks for a new boyfriend… before inevitably ending up with Gallant to start the cycle again.
It was so accurate that Amy would have set her watch to it, but this time, things were different. By sheer dumb luck, this shithead caught Vicky at the fourth phase and actually managed to impress her enough for her sister to consider it. Amy didn't know what he whispered to her, but it made Vicky look genuinely scared for a moment before immediately building bridges with her. And now, Vicky was all giggly and shit.
Amy held back a deep frown as she immediately figured out who he was…
… They were dealing with one smooth operating Irish playboy.
She was tempted to 'accidentally' brush her hand against his and give him a severe case of the bowel runs and maybe some male pattern baldness. But for some reason, he wasn't flirting back. Either he was taken, gay or dense as all fuck to not be able to see how Vicky was into him, but whatever his deal was, Amy was grateful. The fucker better keep it that way if he wants his shit in working order.
The new girl- Taylor- wasn't faring so hot either. For someone so tall, she was very skilled at blending into the background as she looked like a kicked puppy. She'd join her if she could give more of a crap- nothing sucks more than having a day out with friends only to have one of them run off to hook up with someone they just met. The two of them were now more of a third wheel to this now.
"Hang in there." She whispered to Taylor who stiffened in surprise as if she had expected everyone to have already forgotten about her. "Hopefully, he'll fuck right off after buying us lunch."
"He seems nice. I don't want to be rude about it…" Taylor whispered in return as they looked at the backs of the 'happy couple.'
"If he doesn't, I'll flip him off."
"You mean tell him off." Taylor ventured, and Amy just shrugged.
"I know what I said."
"You're not what I pictured when people talk about Panacea."
"Join the club." Amy rolled her eyes- having got that comment a lot, "Unlike me, this fantasy Panacea that people have in their heads has an astounding amount of shits-to-give. 'I just wanna help evewyone~', 'My heals awen't good enouf, but I'll do my vewy best.~' Feh, fuck that noise."
But she knew she couldn't be too certain, so she brushed her hand against Vicky's just to check if she was being mastered or anything, and… Nope, nothing that she could tell was her being mastered, but what she did find however… was that Vicky was soaking wet. Like 'I'm ready to suck and fuck in the alley behind Fugly Bob's' levels of soaked.
Amy chewed on her lower lip as she imagined that. Her back against a grimy alleyway and pushing her naked sister onto her knees, long blonde locks gripped in her fist, those kissable lips and tongue smashed against her cooch, and those baby blue eyes staring up at her. Fuck… Her sister was such a sexy little slut.
"Amy, you're kinda drooling." Taylor pointed out, and Amy nodded sagely- glancing briefly at that bubbly jeans-encased cake wiggling excitedly in front of her.
"Yeah, I'm feeling pretty hungry right about now."
"Something up?" Her sister asked as she leaning closer against him- making Amy grind her teeth.
"Nothing." He smiled back, "Just thinking what I'll have."
"Me?" Vicky asked in the most innocent and sexiest voice Amy had ever heard her talk in and it made her soaking wet. "Hey, are you free later today?"
"I'm meeting my girlfriend." Aoicus revealed out of the blue, and Amy didn't know whether to celebrate or get angry from how her sister's heart seemed to shatter in a million pieces right before her eyes.
"Oh.. that's… that's great." Her sister muttered in a cheerful, but hollow voice. "Any girl would be lucky to have you."
Oh no… here we go again.
'Vicky, don't!'
Her sister was going to accuse him of leading her on or something like that. It happened only once before when she clicked with this itinerant pretty boy rogue- well another pretty boy rogue- and it wasn't pretty. His face that is after Vicky was done with him. It was the most practice Amy had gotten reconstituting someone's ruined face before, also the most fun she had in a while with her powers. But that was in private, if Vicky went on a rampage on some guy's face in public…
"It's our first time meeting face-to-face in a way." he continued- seemingly just in time to stop Vicky from going apeshit, "She doesn't even know what I look like."
Her sister perked right up at that.
"She doesn't, does she now?" Vicky murmured in a tone of voice that Amy recognised to be her 'I've got a sneaky plan.' voice. And as much as she loved her sister, all her 'sneaky' plans involved being as subtle as a missile straight through the roof. With herself being the missile, most of the time.
'VICKY, DON'T!'
Taking out a pen and her white handkerchief, Vicky jotted down her number in red ink before kissing the handkerchief- leaving a pink kiss mark with her lipstick just underneath her number.
"Well, if it turns out that she isn't what you expected, or you think it won't work out…" Vicky winked as she held out the handkerchief. "… Call me?"
'Aoicus, you better fucking accept that handkerchief, you don't know how badly Vicky will take to being rejected! Not even I will be able to heal you if you're reduced to a bloody smear on the ground!'
And as if he heard her thoughts, he accepted the proffered handkerchief. Immediately, concern that her sister was going to go on a rampage gave way to the realisation that her sister practically found a new boyfriend. With Gallant, at least Amy knew that there was no real chance of it actually working out between them; the same can't be said about this new guy.
Amy's vision turned red .
'You actually fucking accepted it?! You're fucking dead, you Irish twat. DEAD. You're going to wish Vicky just pulverised you after I'm done with you! If I can't fuck my sister, then neither can you! Say hello to my little friend, erectile dysfunction.'
She reached out to tap him on the neck.
"Uh… Amy? Are you alright?" Taylor asked- patting her shoulder, just enough to bring her back to her senses and not ruin her life by giving someone ED and supercancer in public.
Grumbling under her breath, Amy lowered her hand and stuffing it back in her pocket.
"Yeah, Taylor. Just rainbows and butterflies." she mumbled..
"You sure?"
"Rainbows and butterflies."
Vicky wasn't done. That handkerchief was only the setup to her actual move, and Amy can only hope that Aoicus wasn't meeting his girlfriend here.
Fucking Aoicus, fucking Taylor, fucking stupid sexy Vicky.
(A few minutes later)
Rebecca stared in shock with the rest of the table as someone finally sat down in Magos' previously agreed upon seat.
And the person that did was definitely not who they expected.
"I… think you have the wrong table." Rebecca hesitantly said- her brown eyes taking in every detail of the stranger.
Spoiler: Mechanicus Fuccboi
[img: https/i./2dSFgoV.jpg]
Blond, male, fair-skinned, conventionally attractive and in his mid-late teens. This can't be Magos. There was no conceivable way that he could be. Warm in jeans and a plain red hoodie, the person before them was the kind of person you see starring in family-friendly sitcoms or headlining a teenage boy band. In contrast, Magos held zero concerns about how he looked- his earlier, horrendously mechanical appearances being proof of that. He would not care enough to make himself a conventionally attractive teenage male unless… he was already one before he triggered. But still! This couldn't be-
"Don't make me cover you in confetti again." he warned her- referencing what he did to her during his Assault on the Compound. No one knew about the confetti apart from Magos and Dragon.
"MacHann, Aoicus…" Dragon murmured, the brunette was staring at the newcomer seated beside her- likely having run it through her database of faces.
"Yes… Mechanicus." he winked at the AI who had suddenly looked very nervous. "I win our bet!"
"Uh, about that… you're of legal age, right?" Dragon stammered, and Rebecca had to agree. It looked like a severely improper relationship. Dragon looked like a woman in her late twenties… Magos barely looked eighteen. The stares were going to be inevitable.
"Says the AI who is barely ten years old." He pointed out to her, unbothered by all of this. But for her part, Dragon very clearly was bothered.
"I'd counter that you know full well that a human year is roughly equivalent to 15.551 in my AI years, but that will only make me look even worse. And…"
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"… you didn't answer the question."
"Why? Afraid that you had very thorough sexual relations with a minor this morning?" He teased the panicking AI, "Don't worry, my completely legitimate government-issued ID says that I'm 18. And besides… the age of consent in Canada is 16."
"Please stop." Dragon whined- burying her face in her hands, "… you seemed so much older in your full cyborg form."
"I am still a full cyborg- I can assure you that I am 100% meat-free right now." He corrected her with a pleased smile, "Besides, you're the one who wanted to see what I looked like before I stopped being fugly and pathetic."
Rebecca bit her lip. No one could have ever called him ugly, he looked like the type of boy her younger self would have pined after.
"You're handsome…" Dragon admitted- voice slightly muffled through her palms, "… but I feel like I'm breaking age of consent laws here."
"And you're worried that you may be into that sort of thing?"
Dragon didn't answer. At least, if you don't count the high-pitched keening whimper of deep embarrassment as an answer.
"I'll be honest…" Magos began- as he took a bite out of his burger, "… I do occasionally miss the flavour of food from time to time."
His every action seemed to be laced with inhuman grace. Even as he folded up his own fugly bob's crown and placed it on his head, it made him somehow look as regal as any real world prince- likely more so. Paper crown settled on his blond locks, he smiled down the table and at Fortuna who was still wearing her own crown, and they shared a mutual giggle of childish delight.
"You're just some dumb kid." Doctor Mother commented, "That explains so much."
At that comment, all the mirth bled from Magos' face- leaving only a gravely serious expression.
"But we all had to grow up quickly, didn't we?" He muttered- just loud enough that only those at the table could hear, "The weight of our duties meant that we had no other choice. We did not have the luxury of doing anything but endlessly working towards our goal, no time to doubt ourselves and no time to enjoy life like others more blissfully ignorant. All because we knew that one day soon, we were going to push the button to initiate the battle for mankind's survival and possibly condemn a few billion souls as necessary casualties for this war… One that we may very well not even win. Innocence and naivete has no place here… How right am I, Doctor?"
"… I retract my accusation." the older woman whispered with a nod like a fencer acknowledging a fair hit, "Yes, you're right: It made us all into men and women in our own right. And it would seem that you were no different."
"Actually no, it didn't." He grinned, "What made me into a man was Dragon. Quite thoroughly at that."
Dragon whined.
"While my girlfriend is coming to terms with her attraction towards younger men…." He began, His blue eyes focused on them one by one. "I'm going to have to say no. I'm not promoting you back into humans just yet."
Mind, Body and Spirit. Separated and so painfully far apart.
When asked how he was able to do it, Magos would only answer that it was 'Necron Technology.'
Regardless, somehow and someway, it allowed Magos to not only remove their brains, but also excise their souls out of their bodies for study, and now, they just… existed. Autonomous meat puppet prisoners of Magos. Their brains and souls stored in separate labs somewhere in his grand manufactorum. Their neural impulses pinging across several kilometres, and their powers repressed or outright not working when their brains were separated from their bodies. Their souls- whatever it was made of and however it worked- was completely isolated from them. What they are now are just meat puppets without powers, brains and souls. Ghosts in the machine, perhaps less than that; and it was no way to live: The world was numb, the colours less vibrant, but worst of all was the cold. The soul-deep cold never went away, and it always felt like she was minutes away from freezing to death.
Rebecca tugged her winter coat closer. Their only comfort was deluding themselves that they were warming themselves in thick clothing.
"You need every pair of hands to help you against Scion." Doctor Mother pleaded- warmly gloved hand gesticulating over the table just as she did the weeks before. And this time, Magos didn't just laugh in their faces, instead he actually looked like he was considering it. And Rebecca took it as a good sign.
"I already know his 'weaknesses', and I currently have ways to exploit it." He revealed.
"Then why haven't you?"
"Because we only have one shot." Magos shrugged, "And the probability of failure is still too unacceptably high, and none of the backup plans are anywhere near ready. So, in the meantime, this dumpster fire that we call the current situation needs to keep rolling down this hill for just a bit more. Lest Scion be alerted and everything will be all over for humanity."
"But we've been doing the same thing!" Rebecca protested, "We've also been gathering resources and manpower so that we can achieve the same goal! What makes you any different from us?!"
He stared at her, and the comparison between him and Hero was practically unavoidable now. They even looked vaguely similar out of their suits.
"Many things, but the biggest one would be that I know that Scion isn't the end, he's the beginning." He spoke, very softly, "And unlike you, I've been planning accordingly."
"What do you mean Scion is just the start?" Rebecca whispered- taken aback and frightened of the possible answers to the question. But instead of answering, the blond teen in front of them just shook his head in disappointment.
"The rabbit hole goes even deeper than just him. And to think, you were struggling to find ways to handle just him." He said- not bothering to elaborate, "No, you're not ready to know, and I'm not risking it all just to satisfy your curiosity. Rest assured, there is a very good reason why I'm withholding the information at the moment."
"Even from me?" the brunette AI whispered. Apparently, even she was also being kept out of the loop.
"Even from you." Magos smiled sadly, "But I am taking steps in steps so that it'll be safe to know eventually."
Dragon sighed as her brown eyes glanced at them one by one.
"I think you should let them help, Magos." She quietly spoke up on their behalf to their surprise, "Mostly for your own sake, you're carrying the world on your shoulders and you're not letting anyone help."
"PRT is of limited utility to use now. The world has no need for the hero worship culture that it has." Magos agreed, "It's something that we can easily replace with- say- waifu worship."
"Magos." Rebecca urgently whispered his name- leaning forward on the table. "You have to listen. I've kept up with your changes that you've been making with your Costa-Brown gynoid, and I have to say that you can't keep doing what you're doing. The society we set up can't function long without its hero worship culture."
"I doubt it, but…" Magos frowned- his blue eyes meeting her brown ones, "… Make your case. I'll listen at least."
But before she could, the local 'Alexandria package' heroine- Glory Girl- stopped by their table.
"Hey, Aoicus." She waved, "We're heading home to eat with the fam, but I'm glad that we talked."
"No problem, Vicky." Magos smiled back.
"You must be his e-girlfriend." The Dallon girl smiled at Rebecca, "He's pretty cute in real life, right?"
Rebecca couldn't help it: the smug, condescending smirk that the younger girl had on was annoying the shit out of her. And out of the corner of her eye, she saw Magos frowning.
"Vicky, that's not-" He tried to point out, but Glory Girl interrupted him with a wide smile.
"Hey, I think I accidentally gave you my old number, here's my new one." She said as she pressed a piece of white cloth into his hand while glancing right at Rebecca's eyes- a smug smile on the younger heroine's lips. "Call me, okay?"
She gave Magos' shoulder a soft squeeze.
"Sorry about interrupting your meal." She waved to the rest of them before locking eyes with Magos, "See you around, Aicus."
The young Brute glanced back at her again with that smug smile- flicking her hair over her shoulder as she walked off. And Rebecca felt a sting of annoyance at that. Did she just got dragged into a stupid teenage love triangle? And more importantly, was she the one considered to be the least attractive one in the group?! No, she was not doing highschool again.
But Dragon was apparently more annoyed.
"What did she mean by that, 'Aoicus'?" The AI demanded in a flat tone, "I thought you paid Glory Girl to act as a decoy to throw me off. You didn't actually flirt with her, did you?"
"Of course not!"
"Then what did she just hand to you?"
"This?" Magos asked as he pulled out the piece of fabric from his pants' pocket, "It's just her phone number written on the back of her handker-"
The delicate white triangle of fabric unfurled.
"-Panties."
"Yes, I can see that." Dragon calmly noted.
"… Fucking Vicky."
[The 'Munitorum' Mall, Brockton Bay]
Sophia Hess can't say that she'll miss the old Lord's Street marketplace.
"Old Brockton Bay was shit anyway." She muttered to herself.
That collection of rickety wooden stalls lining an asphalt road compared to this 16 hectares worth of brightly-lit, air-conditioned mall? It was no contest. Besides, most of the stall owners just transferred to the basement level anyway if anyone wanted to buy/sell cape merch, custom t-shirts, Fate Impact accounts or used electronics. But at the same time, she can't help but feel a bit of elitism in this new mall. She guessed there was no avoiding it up here on the fourth floor where all the luxury brands were: Swiss watches, golfing equipment, jewellery, leather bags and designer fashion.
She just kept her eyes forward as she ignored the weird looks of the well-dressed people strolling along with their uniformed 'domestic helpers' who carried their shopping for them. Walking by them, she just held her chin high as she straightened her white winter running jacket and green track pants, her black sneakers squeaking on the polished marble tiles as she carried her own damn bags of purchases. Assholes. Yes, she was well fucking aware that this place was far beyond the means her Ward allowance would allow.
"Why the hell did Emma ask to meet here anyway?" Sophia sighed.
Ducking into some designer fashion store that Emma's text had named, Sophia let out a low whistle as she passed by the racks. The pricetags on the majority of the clothing was something whack: $400 dollars for a fucking shirt, $1000 dollars for a skirt. Worst part was that she knew that this was still on the cheaper side compared to the other stores here. And there, at the back end of the carpeted store was Emma Barnes herself holding up a $4,000 mink fur coat as if she was seriously going to be buying it.
"Someone's a big spender today." she teased as she walked over.
"Sophia! Glad that you can make it!" Emma smiled as she gave her an excited hug.
"Yup, chipper mood alright." Sophia chuckled. "What's happening, Emma?"
"Dad's going to sue Carol Dallon for not paying what he's been owed." Emma bragged excitedly- dollar signs in her green eyes, "We're talking hundreds of grand here, maybe even millions!"
"But doesn't Brandish work for Magos?" Sophia pointed out. "Going against the de facto owner of Brockton Bay doesn't sound like a bright idea. I mean, this is his mall that we're standing in right now."
"Yeah, but you know how billionaires are." Emma waved off as she admired in the mirror how she looked with the mink fur coat, "When you're swimming in that much cash, it's easier to just throw money at problems. It's pretty straightforward anyway: Magos employs Carol who owes Dad who has me as his daughter. The money is as good as mine."
Sophia had to take some time to process that brand of logic.
"Maybe, but I don't think your dad is going to give it all to you." She said slowly.
"Last time he had a big payday, he spoiled me, sis and mom." Emma nodded with a smile as if she thought about that already, "I'd be happy with just $200,000; but I definitely won't say no to $500,000… or a million dollars. You think I should get this Mink fur coat, or do I go all out and get the sable fur coat?"
… The things that (imaginary) money does to people. Sophia just knew that Emma was going to have a rude wake up call in the near future. Well, she needed it. Might as well just sit back and enjoy the show.
"Hey, Sophia! Hey, Emma!" Madison piped up as she arrived- the brunette walking over to them in her casual denim jumpsuit. "So, why are we meeting up in snooty rich people central again?"
"Alan is suing Brandish for money she owes him." Sophia explained to her, "Emma here thinks she'll get a hundred g's from the settlement."
"$200,000. I won't settle for anything less than that." their redheaded friend harrumphed.
"That's great!" Madison happily chirped before leaning closer to whisper to Sophia, "Are we going to do anything about her? She looks like she's lost it."
"What can we even say at this point? She looks like she needs reality to come and wake her up instead of us."
"Yeah, I get what you mean, Sophia. But shouldn't we call Mr. Barnes for this? I mean… isn't that kind of worrying?"
The both of them watched on as their friend glanced between two different fur coats before shrugging and placing both onto the cashier's counter. Swiping two different credit cards to pay for them both while humming happily.
"I guess…? Don't even know why we're even trying." Sophia sighed as she and Madison walked out the store for some privacy before pulling out her phone, a black Mechanicus Vox-Caster mini. "Hey, Chloe? Call Alan Barnes."
"Calling Alan Barnes… " the Operator-Chloe replied in an easy tone right before the phone began to ring. It took only about two before the other side picked up.
"Hello, Sophia. How can I help you this wonderful noon this January?!"
"Hi, Mr. Barnes." Sophia greeted the lawyer, "I'm calling because Emma got this idea in her head that your family is going to win big in that settlement, and she's acting all giddy. And I mean really, really giddy."
"Oh, let her be! She has the right to celebrate! This is an open and shut case after all, I doubt it'll even reach court!"
"It won't?" Madison spoke up- confused. "So, you're not actually going to win the money?"
"…"
"AHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, Madison, you're so funny!"
"Of course we'll get the money. Don't be preposterous. Magos is just going to settle it with us out of court, and we know how generous robots can be- what with all their charities and direct aid! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to finish taking this Porsche 911 for a test drive."
The call ended with a click- leaving both Madison and Sophia to stare at it in exasperation.
"So that's where she caught the hype from." Madison sighed as she shook her head.
"Yep."
"Hey, Emms. Want to grab something to eat?" Madison invited their friend just as she walked out of the store with her two new fur coats.
"Sure!" their clueless red-headed friend grinned before laughing out loud, "All this shopping worked up my appetite and I can't bring myself to care about my diet right now! Hahahaha!"
Emma took point, a spring in her step as she strutted like she was some Las Vegas highroller or some Hollywood superstar- leaving Sophia and Madison to trail behind.
"Still, I can't help but think about it." Madison told Sophia, "I mean, I'm no lawyer…"
"Neither am I." Sophia quipped.
"… But what if Mr. Barnes is right and they're going to walk away rich from all this?" Madison insisted, "Magos has been pretty loose and fast with his cash… I mean, even my family got a pretty big handout from him. I don't think it's too far of a stretch to say that he'll just pay Mr. Barnes off to make this whole thing pass by without a fuss."
"I guess you have a point." Sophia just shrugged, "Unless Magos suddenly finds a reason to get really angry at the Barnes for some reason, I think they have a good shot at seeing it happen."
- Chapter 25: Help! I accidentally formed a love quadrangle with a meat female! end -
Chapter 26: The Undercity with the Undersiders coming soon.
AN:
This chapter brought to you by… my worryingly high fever.
Made Magos look the way he is… to really hammer in that comparison to Hero, maybe make it a talking point for when the E88 is eventually being dealt with… but mostly because the idea of a fuccboi Magos makes me giggle.
All the cute boys are either… taken, gay, traps or unwaveringly dedicated to the worship of the Blessed Machine.
Chapter 26: The Undercity with the Undersiders
Chapter 26: The Undercity with the Undersiders
[Low Earth Orbit]
The Simurgh continued to telekinetically chat and post on PHO with her many, many alternate accounts- dodging the simple electronic minds Magos had set to patrol the information network.
Magos' trajectory was developing as expected. The Compiler, though stubborn, was moving ever so slowly into place. Her lesser fulcrums such as the Elites collective, the Travellers imported from the other planetary iteration or the Barnes familial unit were in position. But ultimately, it was The Shaper who must mold The Fragile One into the key that she needed: The key to the future. The Shaper did not need much to be driven down that course of action, and it even satisfied her need for [Conflict] and [Data].
Nevertheless, it was unfavourable how her [Directives] would not permit her to take any action bereft of Conflict- preventing her from chasing any future without destabilising the societies of local lifeforms. With her Sight, she could see that Magos would certainly disapprove, but such were the chains that bound her. Regardless, it was necessary. Now that [Future] [Perfect] has been signified, she had to chase that future without cease or doubt, and she could only hope that Magos would not judge her too harshly for it…
In her Sight, her road to freedom was a masterpiece of eventualities, A long chain of misfortune and happenstance- aligned in just the right angles… that would hopefully culminate in the ideal future- her [Future] [Perfect].
But to the local lifeforms, it will seem like nothing but…
[The Manufactorum]
"… a series of very unfortunate events. Through which, the Dragonslayers escaped my custody."
The words echoed throughout the gothic interior of my manufactorum. The coloured fractals of gleaming light streamed from the stained glass windows overhead to mix with the candlelight like a swarm of fireflies around me. The distant sounds of Binharic chanting of Chloe-Skitarii streamed through the corridors. Behind me, the towering endbringer-sized statues of the Emperor of Mankind and of Malcador the Sigillite gazed down at my cogitator-throne with their dour visages. Floating in front of me, the hololithic panels showed the masked face of my preferred meat-based manpower services provider: Coil.
"Let me get this straight…" My slightly-modulated voice wearily began from behind the mask of my old metal face.
"You had a platoon of guards watching over them 24/7 in six-hour shifts. Cut off from the Noosphere and deprived of most modern electronics. You even had them utterly convinced that it was for their own safety. Most of all, you had them covertly injected with subdermal trackers just in case. But even with all of that… they somehow uncovered the truth, removed their subdermal trackers and used a stolen phone to spoof your voice into tricking the guards into not only setting them free, but also into handing them money and motorbikes…. And that all happened within the last hour?"
The white snake stencilled on the forehead of Coil's black supervillain outfit bobbed as he calmly nodded.
"Yes, it seemed that they exploited every microscopic weakness in just the right way to make an escape." he said, "I suspect aid or interference by a third-party Thinker."
"Or perhaps- just as likely- your manpower has been… compromised?"
"I have ruled out that possibility." Coil confidently answered, "You have my personal guarantee that none of my men are traitors."
"Hmmm… I believe you." I replied as I read between the lines: He tortured his own men in alternate timelines to root out any possible traitors and found none.
Somewhere out there, someone was moving against me for some unknown reason. Of course, I had enemies- that was not new. What was new was that I could not find them, and that may mean that I may be dealing with a Stranger cape, or worse, a group of them. Earth-Bet was still a big place after all… But that was only a secondary concern at the moment, the immediate concern was finding the Dragonslayers themselves. Clearly, they had something people wanted if organisations were willing to break them out.
Casting Hex on all Machine-Spirits in immediate perimeter of the Dragonslayer holding facility…
(3) humanoids on motorcycles headed south into the city spotted at Coordinates: (-165.21, 15898.44, 12.02)
"They headed into the city?" I muttered aloud. One would think that if they were up against two technology-aligned beings, they would be escaping the city centre- especially this specific city which was the centre of our power.
"Yes." Coil confirmed. "Tattletale intuited that they are likely to meet with their co-conspirator. We fear that it may be a Mover cape to facilitate their exfiltration. I already have mobilised most of my available forces and I will be personally overseeing the search operation. You have my word that they won't get far. Furthermore…"
Coil paused, seemingly to gather his courage.
"Hmm?" I prompted after a few seconds.
"I hope that this doesn't hurt our initial arrangement."
Ah, yes. I did promise to awe him with my payment, but I didn't say what exactly I was paying him with. His love for Abigail Wiliams was truly something noteworthy. He already had all the merchandise- all the posters, all the figurines and the still vaguely illegal (unmotorised) sex dolls. He even had an 'I 3 Abby' tattooed on his chest. But it still wasn't enough for him.
"Yes. As long as the Dragonslayers are caught within the day, our arrangement ist still in place." I off-handedly confirmed, "You must be wondering what I am going to pay you for the Dragonslayers. Expectations must be flying high right now… but even now, I am still certain that you will find the payment to exceed them all."
"That's…" Coil paused to lick his lips- seemingly staring into the distance, "… That's a bold claim. I have high expectations."
No doubt, if my {Psy-Implant} worked across calls, I'd be greeted to a orgiastic festival of depraved fantasies featuring that 12-year-old waifu, Abigail Williams.
"Wait… today?" he mentioned, as if he only just heard it.
"Today is Dragon and mine's first monthsary." I explained the significance of the date to the supervillain, "The Dragonslayers' otherwise worthless meat lives were supposed to be a nice little gift for her. First, they tried to kill her, now they are threatening to ruin our monthsary by not having the common courtesy to just lay down and die. I have a cake at the ready and everything."
"I see… I'll have my payment today…" the supervillain dreamily murmured- already properly motivated into capturing the Dragonslayers. He fell silent for a few long seconds before speaking up again, "Tattletale has informed me that their trail has led into the Undercity."
"Good, we know where they are." I said, "Now what interests me now is where they could be possibly heading…"
Reviewing data stream of all machines 200m of the Dragonslayer holding facility…
Chanting searches by frequency: 'Fischl banner', 'Fischl R34', 'Dragon hentai commission services', 'Dragon hentai commissions thread free', 'Fischl Sex doll legal?', 'Who is Glory Girl new boyfriend?'…
Hmm, nothing out of the ordinary in their search history. Nothing that tripped any alarm bells like large bank transfers (filtering out the payroll from Coil's computer) or any mysterious communique. The Dragonslayers must have been supplied with their escape plan by some other means- which means they know that I was watching.
"The Undercity…" I sighed.
I was not as well-informed in the Undercity as I was on the surface. Above ground, I had a myriad of technology that could be hexed. Phones, tablets, smart appliances and even vending machines… all willing to whisper what they had seen or heard to me, but that was not true in the Undercity. Despite having built it, the 'Undercity' has much less monitoring equipment than I would like- the kilometres of tunnels still unfinished as it is. So, it would seem that the search will have to be conducted the hard way.
" 1st Chloe-Skitarii Macroclade. "
" Macroclade Primus hears you, Forgelord! "
" Chant unit strength. "
" All 1440 Chloe-Skitarii units across 4 Cohorts… operational. "
" All 180 Ironstrider Engine units of the 1st Cavalier Formation… operational. "
" All 70 Castellax battle-automata of the 1st Cohort… operational. "
" Good, the Dragonslayers have seen Dragon's naked source code, and I am the only one allowed to possess such forbidden knowledge. "
" Set up omnispex checkpoints at every city exit. Send squads to scour the Undercity. "
" If feasible, capture the Dragonslayers alive… intact is preferable, but not required. "
" For Mistress Dragon's Honour! We hear and obey, Foreglord! "
Bells tolled through the grand and dark halls of my manufactorum. Great pipe organs played their battle-hymns. A distant rumble echoed out as a thousand and a half Chloe-Skitarii marched rapidly to their rally points. The chanting reached a crescendo as the Rites of Awakening were conducted for the battle-automata units.
"By the Omnissiah, our monthsary will not be ruined- the Dragonslayers will be found and surrendered to Dragon today. And for the fools who made their escape possible… they will soon discover aiding the Dragonslayers to be the most regrettable decision of their lives. I will ensure it personally."
My red-robed cybernetic frame stood up from my cogitator-throne.
"You're going out onto the field as well?" Coil noted with slight surprise.
"Yes. Given that they tried to kill her…" I began as my Omnissian Axe flew to my hand- the same one I had used to decapitate Cauldron with, "Dragon would be critical of me if I don't go out there and give this my personal attention in hunting them down. I'll link up with the Undersiders, see if I can't expedite the search process."
Time to see if the Land Speeder Storm was as fast and quiet as the lore said they were.
Redeclaring {Land Speeder Storm} as new vehicle
For use by the Scout Squads of a Space Marine Chapter, Land Speeder Storms are a conversion from the baseline {Land Speeder}. Capable of flying up to 100m above any terrain with its anti-gravitic plates, the Land Speeder Storm has the speed and mobility are on par with the normal model, but it exchanges most of its firepower in exchange for the capacity to send five Marine Scouts. And with its baffled engines modified for near-silent operation and spying array, the Storm variant boasts the ability to covertly deliver its passengers behind enemy lines.
Its standard weapons is a {Cerebus Launcher}- a tri-barreled missile launcher capable of shooting frag, krak, stun and blind rockets among others. The Storm variant also comes equipped with an advanced jamming beacon that operates in both electro-magnetic bands, allowing it to interfere with enemy communications to malfunction within its area of effect. The front passenger seat may also be mounted with a {Heavy Bolter}, {Heavy Flamer}, {Multi-Melta}, {Assault Cannon}.
[Magos Aetheric: Thanks to extensive knowledge of Warp Technology, Magos has modified this model with a miniature {Warp Gate}, permitting the two-way teleportation of personnel and materiel between his Land Speeder Storm and his Manufactorum. Requires powering down the Land Speeder for the Warp Gate to be used.
[Wisdom of the Ancient: Using Necron Technology, the Land Speeder Storm's anti-gravity plates have been upgraded to be able to operate at any height. A {Gloom Prism} has been added to stop hostile teleportation attempts, but cannot be used at the same time as the Warp Gate.
M
[The Undercity]
"Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair…" Tattletale recited Ozymandias as she rode her mutated dog- galloping along the vast tunnels.
The name 'Undercity' was no exaggeration, both in location and in the scope of it. More than a hundred kilometres of gargantuan tunnels crisscrossing and running parallel deep beneath the city of Brockton Bay- carved out by a colossal 'Macro-drill' that no one has even seen yet. Dark stone walls made of some new type of concrete that was magnitudes tougher than normal kept out the water table and held up the city above, and the tunnels were partially illuminated by great LED lights set into the walls at regular distances. Large enough to have planes fly through, the tunnels' cylindrical cross-section were so huge that they had stratas, both literal and social. The massive steepled church-trains of Magos commanded the upper half of the cylindrical tunnel, its massive tracks that took up almost the entire diameter of the tunnel. Service roadways flanked the great tracks where roving gang patrols fought and bled and sometimes died.
"Cybernetics speciality, my ass." She muttered under her breath as one of Magos' church-trains thundered overhead on its massive tracks- the heavy rumble of its passing rattling Tattletale to the bones. Its many thousand passengers no doubt wining, dining and remaining comfortably ignorant to the foreboding underground that they travelled through.
And on the bottom half was where Tattletale and her team was travelling on- one of the two roadways flanking an open sewer and hidden in the long shadows cast by the tracks. Assorted vermin scampered and skittered across their path. Not even the gangers would go here.
Sometimes they'd pass by some shanties made of corrugated sheet metal. The lights from tablet screens shining through ragged holes in their little metal shacks. Even with Magos' high density housing projects, Brockton Bay could not accommodate the constant river of people flowing into the city. And with Dragon's strict vagrancy laws, the sorry souls found their refuge here and in the surrounding utility tunnels- eking out an ascetic existence in the Undercity. With food so cheap now, people could afford to bulk-buy food and hide out here for weeks or possibly months on end- laying out long cables that led to the surface for power and internet.
And every so often she and the team would sneak past the great gothic stations. And Tattletale had to shake her head at the rate they were being built- so fast that it felt like two new stations were erected every week, and the Macro-drill… wherever it was now was digging tunnels farther and deeper into the earth. Always deeper.
Twelve thousand hectares (12 square kilometres) of land suddenly being purchased. Land that was secured by the human-manned Guard and the gynoid-only Chloe-Skitarii, both security forces of the Mechanicus. Magos was planning something BIG. Bigger than just making a shining city by the bay.
"Bitch, are you sure your dogs can sniff out the Dragonslayers?!" Tattletale yelled at the figure riding the dog at the front of the group.
"They can smell three different motorcycles!" their leader for this leg of the mission shouted back.
The entire Undersider team was here. Her, Grue, Bitch, and Regent. They had taken time out of their busy schedule of spending their ill-gotten gains. Grue had spent his time trying to reign in and shore up Aisha's endless online impulse buying. Bitch had spent all of her share on dogs and their shelters. 'Regent' even took time out of his busy, busy schedule of borderline camwhoring to join in. Saying that he missed the excitement of going out, stealing shit and being the hottest member of the team.
Symmetrical face, no belly fat, smooth skin, great hair, toned legs, and round ass; He's right.
Shut the fuck up, power!
Power keeps activating, because Lisa subconsciously activates it, because Lisa subconsciously can't accept that she isn't the hottest one on the t-
Shuddup!
Lisa sighed. She couldn't believe that she had to leave her nice cozy french uptown apartment for this. But just as she was cursing Coil for the fiftieth time today, an ungodly roar announced a monstrosity of a vehicle- like a monster truck had a child with a metal porcupine. All spikes and exhaust pipes and guns.
"The Merchants! We don't have time for this!" Brian- or Grue as he was in his costume- protested from behind his skull helmet. But Tattletale had an idea.
"Wait! I got to ask you something!" Tattletale called out as she rode alongside the 'car' and banging at the side- trying not to cut herself on the spikes.
"Tats, what the fuck?!"
The monster car stopped with worrying speed- as if even the law of inertia was too scared to touch the disease-riddlled drug car.
"HEY, HANDS OFF THE RIDE!" Squealer shouted as she rolled down the metal window- flipping up her welding helmet to look at her, "Well, if it ain't the cute widdle Undersiders… What the fuck do you want!"
Tattletale point a purple-gloved finger over in one direction.
"You came from there, right?"
"Maybe we did." Skidmark answered- popping out of a hatch and flipping his greasy brown hair over his shoulder, "What's it to ya?"
"We're looking for three people on motorcycles." She told them- fishing out her phone and show them what the motorcycles looked like. Not the riders though, letting people know that the Dragonslayers were loose again was not part of the job.
"Dunno…" Skidmark hummed with a crooked grin, "Maybe we were havin' too much fun to see 'em."
Tattletale rolled her eyes- she guessed that it was too much to hope that the local junkie supervillain was high enough to forget about extorting her for money.
"I have a fat wad of cash that says you can remember." she told him.
Skidmark scoffed before pulling out an oily looking phone.
"Half an Omnicoin or get the fuck out of our faces."
Omnicoin wasn't legal tender- meaning that no one was obligated to accept it to legally settle accounts. But it was also unhampered by troublesome things like regulations and laws that the US dollar was bound by. It was like an economy that ran on monopoly money, people weren't obligated to accept them. But when the whole city was playing on Magos' monopoly board, it was good as- or even better than- gold to most people.
"Half? That's like ten grand in dollars!" She protested.
"Take it or leave it, blondie!"
Wants to feel superior, exhibits typical bully behaviour; Easily manipulated. Protesting over price will satisfy his need instead making him raise the price even more.
Pretending to grumble, she tapped and swiped at her phone before pointing it at Skidmark's. With a ping, they both got their respective confirmations, and with a few taps, Skidmark was half an Omnicoin richer while she was poorer by the same amount.
"Hoo boy, its your lucky fucking day cuz I'm feelin' generous and shit after that bag of coke." Skidmark grinned with his rotting teeth, "Yeah we ran into bike fuckers that sound like what you're lookin' for. Sped past us almost an hour ago, headin' Westside outside the new entrance of Shart-a-high."
Truth.
"Svartalfheim?" She groaned. That means that their target had changed directions and are heading west now- almost circling back. It's going to take almost an hour to get there. This whole venture was turning out to be a wild goose chase. She thought that they were just going to sniff out some people hiding out in someone's basement somewhere, not riding across the Undercity twice!
"Yeah, yeah. The Empire's shart town with the fancy name. Who gives a fuck?" Skidmark sneered- horking to spit off the side of his car.
"And it's Svartalfheim!" Grue protested. "You can't pay me enough to go there again! Once was more than enough!"
"But everyone tolerated you just fine when you wore the visitor pass!" Regent pointed out. "Everyone was happy to see you, and even waved, smiled, laughed and everything! There was even a line to take photos with you. You were a celebrity!"
"That's because they found it funny making the 'visitor's pass' a noose!"
"It wouldn't have been as funny if you didn't look so constipated walking around with it!" Regent just laughed.
"Knock it off!" Tattletale yelled at both of them, "We're just passing by Svartalfheim. You heard what Skidmark said, they were speeding past the new entrance. Let's just focus on catching up."
"Oh, OH right! Gotta advertise and shit." Skidmark shouted out in a daze before breaking out in a crooked, rotten grin at them, "Now if you kids need drugs, then Skidmarkia's where it's at! Got all the good shit you need. Coke, speed, crank, smack, or just plain pot. We've got it all for you."
"Skiddie!" Squealer whined, "We gotta go! I'm fucking hungry!"
"Alright, doll." the Merchant supervillain laughed before looking over to her and the rest of the Undersiders, "Er.. right. Stay outta school, do some drugs, or not, I ain't your daddy. Thanks for the easy dosh, suckers! Ahahahaha!"
With a slam of metal hatches and roar of engines, the spiky armoured drug car went speeding off down into the tunnels. Tattletale glanced at the direction where they were supposed to go- a massive winding tunnel almost thirty kilometres long. It looks like it was going to be another half hour of dog galloping followed by two days of sore crotch.
"Come on…" she grunted- patted the giant dog's back. "Let's go."
"No. Dogs are tired." came Bitch's gruff reply, and Tattletale's blonde hair whipped the air as she looked at the other girl incredulously.
"What do you mean 'No?'" She squawked. "They're mutant dogs! And last time, they stayed mutant for longer too!"
"Don't care, still tired." Bitch flatly replied- dismounting from her dog and landing on the ground with a disgusting squelch.
She's right, he looks dog tired." Regent agreed with sagely nod.
"Well, smart ass." she snapped at him, "The nearest known exit to the upper city is just 3 kilometres down this sewer that's between the ABB and Merchant territories!"
Regent glanced down the tunnel.
"Fuck."
"No, don't collapse on me!" Tattletale pleaded to the horse-sized mutant dog that she riding on. A tiny terrier named Angelica if she recalled correctly.
But collapse, Angelica did- all their dogs did, and they were forced to quickly dismount before they were thrown onto the sewer floor.
"Ugh. Gross." Tattletale grunted at how the floor was sticky and tried not to activate her power. Bitch wasted no time in digging her dogs out of their shells of mutant superpowered flesh. They had a very gross problem now. Cellphone reception was shit when you were more than a hundred metres underground, and it was going to be a long walk to the surface.
In select areas in the city, you could even accidentally (or not so accidentally) tunnel your way into the Undercity from your basement. If the subway tunnels were the arteries of Brockton Bay, then there was a capillary network of service tunnels that spread in every direction. And if you're really (un)lucky, you'd stumble into some underground bunker. It didn't take long for those unlucky people to find the nearest gang knocking on their door to politely ask that they sell their property.
Living quarters large enough for a hundred people. Garages that lead up almost to the surface or to the tunnel roads. Cellblocks, saferooms, and tall cylindrical rooms that looked suspiciously like ICBM silos. For some strange and worrying reason, Magos had left half-finished military bases all over the Brockton Bay underground. Empty, unused, ready for the taking. Had been ready for the taking, because of course, the gangs found them, and began moving in. The ABB, the E88, the Merchants, and out of city ones that began moving in as well.
Skidmarkia. The Merchants had made their military base into a massive drug lab, distribution centre and den. Literal metric tonnes of drugs flowed in and out of the city through their territory. The air there was thick with the fumes of almost every drug known to man. They aimed to make the Undercity into the logistics hub for their drug empire, and the amount of cash that Skidmark of all people was pulling in was absolutely criminal in more ways than one.
Svartalfheim. The Empire had made their military base into a fortress where they LARPed the 3rd Reich… including the part where they were building up a massive stockpile of real working armaments and soldiers. Rumours of how their foreign backers, the Gesellschaft, aimed to make the Undercity into their own personal beachhead in controlling America were already floating around.
'Six Heavens.' The ABB had made their military base into a red light district. Brothels and sex hotels where their human trafficking and forced prostitution ran free. Frightened boys and girls were shipped from the poorest parts of Northern America so that they could be trained and put to work battling Magos' sex dolls in the sex industry. And of course, they found no end to customers searching for the wares of live meat that Lung offered instead of the cool silicon of Magos' sex dolls. The sex tourism of Brockton Bay was alive and pumping because of them.
Likelihood of undiscovered bunkers out there, extremely high; Cape groups will flock to Brockton Bay for them.
Just people fighting over the same things as they had on the surface. Everyone may be wanting a slice of the French pie that Dragon was baking on the surface. But like a cracked out hobo living in a Parisian sewer, good old Brockton Bay was still alive and kicking under the surface- all ready to use a rusty STD-riddled knife to mug someone for their money and left shoe.
But just as they were about to do the long Walk of Shame to the surface world, a familiar modulated voice sounded out from just beside them. There right beside them was a flying car painted red with no windshields or doors floated silently as if it had always been there. Four Chloe-Skitarii, armed with {Arc Rifles}, stood perfectly balanced on the running board on either side of the car. And right there on the driver's seat was Magos himself, his distinct glowing tripartic optics inset in his usual red-robed figure.
"Get in, losers. We're going hunting." Magos invited them on.
"Magos! My hero!" Regent announced as he climbed aboard. Grue, Bitch and her four dogs were quick to follow as well. With Magos taking one look at the filthy dogs before clasping his hands in prayer.
"Machine-spirit, I beseech you to forgive this trespass by these drooling, foul-smelling meatforms as we deliver them to the light of the surface. And the canines as well."
"Geez, which family of 8-feet-tall giants did you make these seats for?" Tattletale muttered as she climbed aboard the flying car and riding shotgun in the oversized passenger seat just beside the toaster (because of course Magos would have a toaster on his flying car) and she couldn't help but feel like a small child riding in her dad's big SUV for the first time.
"Rowboat and his Primaris Ultrasmurfs." He answered seriously, "Also, my girlfriend's favourite power armour is 8-feet-tall."
"Well, I'm not going to complaini!" Regent gushed- getting comfy into his big seat, "I could just kiss you for saving me from having to walk!"
"I'm sorry." Magos politely said, "But you're a hideous gland-goblin, and also, your boyfriend is right there."
"What?! We're not together!" Grue immediately denied with a panicked shout, and Magos immediately turned around to look at him.
"You have North America's most sought after femboy on your team and you're not sleeping with him?" Magos asked Grue incredulously, "Are you gay or something?"
"I know, right?!" Regent giggled, "I thought he'd make a move on me soon, but he hasn't! I'm starting to think he really prefers men."
Grue just sputtered- unable to comprehend the mental gymnastics about femboys.
"Hey, don't toy with my teammates for their low IQ!" Tattletale protested, "Only I can do that!"
"Just… Drive. Fly. Whatever." Grue groaned in defeat- burying his helmeted face into his palms, "The Dragonslayers were last seen heading west from the new entrance of Svartalfheim. The sooner we finish this mission, the better."
"West from that tunnel section, you say?" Magos hummed in contemplation, "There is only one exit that leads to. All of you, hold on. If any of you fall off, I will not be coming back for you."
And with that, they sped off- skating over thin air in total silence as if they were a paper plane. Nothing but the flapping of the Chloe-Skitarii's red robes filling the air as the massive LED lights of the tunnels passed them by with regularity.
What Magos planned on fighting that required the city to have a massive network of bunkers underground, she did not want to know. As it was, it felt like Magos wanted people to fight for dominance in the Undercity. He made some polite noises whenever it's brought up, but no concrete actions haven't been taken.
Magos just can't care less; Wants Mechanicus to stay neutral rogue to supply everyone with everything at low prices. Magos doesn't discriminate between any and all humans; sees them all as inferior meatbags.
Cold calculus of resources and logistics, aims to save humanity from hunger and poverty; but doesn't care who rules over it.
"Pretty much." Magos answered- not even glancing at her. "Human politics are for humans."
"And you're not even going to try and deny i- What?" She whispered. She didn't say all those things out loud, did she?
"You're not the only psychic in Brockton Bay." He shrugged as if he didn't do anything noteworthy.
It's a trick, he can't actually read thoughts; true psychic ability is impossible even with powers. Can cold read as well, Lisa untrained at controlling her expressions, used to reading them; Lisa has little defence.
Tattletale didn't bother to hide how she rolled her eyes. Thanks, power, you're so useful. She totally couldn't have figured that one out on her own. And yes, she was aware of her weakness; It's why she mostly went on the offensive and needled people first… Apart from her enjoying pissing people off, of course. Smug expressions also suited her far better than anything else.
"Neat trick." She scoffed- crossing her arms over her chest. "But I can do that too, you know? Were you actually looking to impress me- a real Thinker- with your half-assed Thinker rating?"
"Well, show me what you can do, 'real' Thinker." He said, making a magnanimous gesture that conveyed 'Come at me, bro.'
She smirked as she focused her power on his body language and found nothing. Right… he's a full cyborg, she can't actually read his body language. She wished her power would actually give her something juicy about him. Regent already shows her up in looks, this is no time to get shown up in the brains department too.
"It's not that hard to show you up on either account, to be honest." He answered as if hearing her thoughts.
Magos - 1
Tattletale - 0
No, no, no! She can still win this! She just needed to win back the momentum and put him on the back foot. She needed something to go on apart from the body language. Pushing her power, she was immediately supplied her with an interesting bit of information.
Previous observations show that evoking strong emotions from him was enough to make his body language leak through. Face no longer skull tight, Is a mask made to go over a face; Magos has a human face now.
Implies the possibility that Magos could be anyone who he chooses to be; Magos has a Changer/Stranger rating now.
Has a tendency to employ younger corpo-capes including Glory Girl under alias.
Imply unfaithfulness; Possibly evoke defensiveness.
She could do one better.
"Now that you have a human face, I'd bet you're sneaking out with teenage girls like me all the time, huh?" She taunted with a sly smirk. He glanced over to her where she was striking a sexy pose- showing off the curves that her skintight black and purple catsuit highlighted. She was not about to lose over Regent, not again.
"I'm… flattered, but you too are a hideous gland-goblin."
Lie -
That was a Lie! Tattletale grinned. Heh, she still got it!
- He isn't flattered at all; Actually finds it off-putting that someone as disgusting as you is attracted to him.
… Arrrrgggh! Fuck you, Magos! And fuck you too, power!
Magos - 2
Tattletale - 0
"Well, you're ugly under that mask too!" She yelled at him- just resorting to schoolyard insults.
"Tats." Grue whispered from behind her, "Stop having a pissing contest with the boss' boss. We're almost at the end of the tunnel."
"This isn't over." she hissed to Magos with narrowed eyes.
"I didn't even start." He dismissed her with an amused chortle.
They made some turns after that- guided on by the still sharp noses of Bitch's partially mutated dog. Until finally, in the distance, a spot of sunlight could be seen growing larger and larger as they sped through the air. The dark concrete giving way to the warm sunlight, and the cool fresh air hitting their faces as they emerged from the tunnels and they found themselves under the big blue sky again.
Tattletale squinted as the glare of the mid afternoon sun blinded her for a moment before she found where they were: Right at the western edge of Brockton Bay City- the tunnel emerging from the side of a hill and into the suburban outskirts. Already, some of the ballsier local kids with no self-preservation instincts were taking photos and videos, and she just sighed. Can't even do cape work without getting gawked at anymore.
The speeder slowed down to just walking speed- hovering just inches above the snowy ground.
"The trail has literally gone cold…" Magos muttered before clapping with his armoured hands. "Alright, Undersiders. My Chloe-Skitarii will take a bullet for you if it comes to that. Meanwhile, do your thing with your meat-based olfactory sensors."
"You could just call them noses… " Tattletale grumbled as she hopped out of the speeder and facing their resident canine expert, "Bitch? Where'd they go now?"
"Brutus is on it." their canine expert replied, gesturing to her normal-sized Rottweiler who was sniffing the snowy grass- eventually leading them to some bushes.
"No Dragonslayers, but we found their bikes at least- what?" Grue tried to be professional, but stopped when he heard her sigh in disappointment.
"Those aren't their bikes." she pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone. The models and plate numbers may have been the same, but her power could easily tell the difference, it was good for that much at least.
"Then that means… we fell for a decoy?" Grue murmured- voice steeped in sheer disbelief.
"Yep, we fell for a decoy. Like amateurs." She grumbled- kicking the wheel. "The Dragonslayers must have dismounted sometime ago and someone else continued making the trail."
"And I found them…" Magos announced, "That atm camera over there saw the decoys leave their motorbikes and climb into a van. Looks like the muscle from the Elite: Bastard Son and his gang… If we can subdue them, I can 'persuade' them to give up their employers, and from there, it won't matter where the Dragonslayers run or hide. I might even hire them and turn them against the Dragonslayers if time permits."
"Sorry to break it to you, boss." Regent sheepishly said, "But we're not made for head-on fighting."
"Very well, consider yourselves dismissed then… with no bonus." Magos shrugged, and Tattletale recoiled as if she had been slapped.
"What? Why?!" She and Grue shouted in horror- that was way too much money to just lose out on. Coil paid them peanuts compared to what Magos usually hands them on top of things. The snake bastard was elated that Magos was giving them so much in bonuses- it gave him an excuse to lower their pay. US tipping culture at its worst.
" Why?" Magos parroted as if stunned by how they missed the blatantly obvious, "The Dragonslayers aren't currently mummified in wrapping paper for me to give along with a cake to Dragon for our monthsary, are they now?"
"But-!"
"And neither is my dick currently being sucked by a happy AI thrilled by her cake and present, is it?"
"Hey, that's-!"
"Well, is it?!" He gestured to his metal-plated crotch.
Magos is horny and frustrated. Has regular sexual contact with Dragon. Addicted to her. Anything that will help him get laid to an AI is definitely an avenue for bribery. Three Blasphemies are the only other well-known AI with human morphology. Attaining contact with local capes to facilitate a 'face-to-face' will be highly valuable for Magos.
Conversely, Dragon is sexually active. Has a sense of taste judging by the cake. Likes new sensations, bribing with exotic foods likely to work.
"No, it isn't…" Tattletale admitted with a sigh. Well, she got her wish and got under Magos' skin, and now her power was working on him again, but… Bribe the robots with food and sex? That was just insane enough that it perfectly fit what she knew of Magos.
"Come on, you can't blame that on us!" Grue also protested.
"But is that it?" Regent interrupted with a laugh, "Well, if you just wanted fellatio, I don't mind if I-"
"Regent, don't you dare finish that sentence!" She and Grue shouted at the femboy in unison.
"Fine…" he raised his hands in surrender, "… I was just going to take one for the team, and you can't tell me that you're not just a tiny bit curious about the 'fabled cyberdong that slayed the Dragon'?"
Tattletale's facepalm echoed through the afternoon air.
"Bah!" Magos just threw his hands in the air, "If you aren't willing to go through with it, I'll just call Glory Girl and the PRT… they can use a curbstomp win against the public enemy that trashed their city. Glory Girl in particular too, because her old house was wrecked in the fighting."
"Wait, wait, wait. Don't cut us out so quickly." Grue protested- just a bit desperate for the 30-50 grand. "We might not be good in a head-on fight, but we're good with running interference! We can screen for the heroes!"
Regent just looked shocked.
"Okay, that's where I draw the line!" He protested- having apparently grown survival instincts only after sexually propositioning their boss. "We're still a villain group! Riding around the Undercity is one thing, but working with the PRT and New Wave is another. And getting forced into the Wards is definitely going to cut into my streaming hours!"
"You mean the hours where you just laze around, play video games and get paid for it?" Grue clarified with a critical eye at the French canadian. He was still upset at how easy he had it. "You can just go back."
"I can organise a truce." Magos considered, "After all, you're doing a service to the community in helping with the capture of Dragonslayers. I'll even ask Glory Girl to bring along her sister in case of injuries alongside some medicae-servitors just in case you meatbags hurt your laughably fragile flesh."
"I guess…" She heard Regent consider it now, "You're coming along?"
And Magos guffawed- slapping the hood of his speeder.
"Of course, do you see this?!" he laughed, "George told me that he'd happily sell Lucasfilm if I effectively gave him a working AT-RT walker and a speeder! Once he sees this on the internet, the papers are as good as signed. And I'd be damned if I let Disney beat me to the acquisition."
"Disney in charge of Star Wars? That would be the darkest timeline." Regent said with quiet horror, and Magos solemnly nodded.
"Yes, truly the darkest timeline."
"Tats, what do you think?" Grue asked as an aside as they watched the two geek out over Star Wars. "The money isn't worth anything if we just get caught by the PRT."
Enemy capes are likely outnumbered, PR-friendly battle denotes low intensity combat, Reliable safety nets in the form of two different healers; Highly favourable battle and easy money. Magos has an excellent track record of following through with business deals; Will do his best to guarantee your freedom.
"Well, now that we have Magos' guarantee on the truce… my power says it is going to be fine." She shrugged at him, "The risk is low and the payout, high- no reason to bow out now. We'll bond with the PRT and Glory Girl over stomping around a merc group; AND get paid for it, easy peasey."
"I guess we'll go then." Grue agreed, "Can you talk to Rachel about playing nice with the heroes?"
"Yeah, yeah." She waved him off.
Still, she could only pity the poor saps who were working with the Dragonslayers. The PRT, Glory girl and maybe the Wards and the rest of New Wave… Almost all of the hero-aligned capes in Brockton Bay were coming down hard on them to get an easy, visible win. And she was even sure that some of the gangs would like to join in on the fun too, if it wasn't so public. A lot of the city- gang territory included- was trashed when the Dragonslayers made those Dragon Suits go haywire after all. But they practically dug their own grave.
At this point, who was even stupid enough to go against Magos and Dragon?
(Half an Hour later) [Winslow High]
Attorney Alan Barnes pressed the door lock button- drinking in the stern thump of the doors unlocking on his new Hummer H2.
A big SUV for a big man. Because nothing impresses friends and clients more than a massive 5-by-2 metre SUV with a roaring V8 engine. Powerful, unstoppable- driving over potholes, floods, and assorted roadkill with laughable ease. And also in a nice eye-catching yellow at that.
"Taylor seemed to be in an awful hurry today." He noted, glancing at the rear view mirror to the stick-thin figure jogging away in the distance, and his daughter just laughed from her seat beside him as she tugged on her seatbelts.
"She spilled some ink- well a lot of ink- on her clothes… and hair."
"Oh, that clumsy girl." he sighed with an exasperated smile, "I would have offered her a ride home, but… I just bought this car and I don't want to get ink on the leather seats."
"She'd understand." Emma laughed, "Hey, dad? I kind of maxed out all my credit cards."
"Again?" He faux frowned with a disapproving tone, "That's the second time this month."
"But dad!" She whined- busting out the puppy dog eyes right away, "Sophia, Mads and I are going clubbing over the weekend and we need to coordinate our outfits! Mads and Sophia aren't as well off as we are, so naturally I have to buy them outfits!"
"I was just teasing." He laughed, "I'll pay for it, but this is the last time until we squeeze Dallon dry, okay?"
"Thanks, dad! You're the best!" She beamed as she kissed his cheek- her hand lingered on the sleeve of his navy pinstripe suit as she noticed something, "Your suit is freshly pressed… is it going to be a late night in the office again, dad?"
"Sort of, I'm going to pick up some clients after I drop you off at the mall."
It wasn't unusual actually for him to offer to pick up clients with his own car. It was sort of his style in fact. He loved cars, and it gave him a confidence and a focus that he couldn't find anywhere else. And he was going to need the extra confidence for this one. New clients with wealthy patrons, this could be his in for a long term cash cow. Just like Dallon did for Magos!
He glanced down to the manila folder resting in the map pocket of his car door- recalling the faces of his new clients, and willfully ignored any feeling of resemblance that arose. It was just a coincidence that they had a vague resemblance to the wanted Dragonslayers.
Besides, how can he possibly worry about that when he had something much more important and much more relevant? Because between Dallon's out-of-court settlement and this new client that was going to have him on retainer, he was going to be set for life!
- Chapter 25: The Undercity with the Undersiders end -
Chapter 26: Fate of the Dragonslayers coming soon.
AN:
I've been reading/listening to the feedback…
So, consider this weekend to be my attempt to tie up all the loose ends: the Dragonslayer, the Elites, the Undercity introduction. All so that we can go back to what really matters: chasing after Robussy and committing unspeakable evils.
With these weekend updates, I'm going to give Magos and Dragon a strong reason to take down (and capture) Simmy. Then we can move to the actual Titan-scale combat.
Sucks to be Grue… that's what he gets for being serious and professional all the time in canon. Now he's the straight (heh) man in Magos' comedy show.
Time to start converting people… I mean, saving people from their flesh. Just adding lewdable Worm waifus to the menu. Not actual harem, just side girls because I'm wary of character bloat. The usual Worm Waifus (Taylor, Lisa, Amy, Victoria) already have a wealth of content dedicated to them in other fics, so if they do get some lovin it will just be for a scene rather than a regular.
Chapter 27: Fate of the Dragonslayers
Chapter 27: Fate of the Dragonslayers
A series of unfortunate events continued on. A long tendril of events reaching out into the future and brushing against the lives of so many.
[Brockton Bay]
"Of all the ways that our monthsary was ruined, it has to be like this!" Dragon roared in pure rage as she clawed her way out of the flaming metal wreckage. The warped metal heaped on top of her screeched and squealed as she stood up.
Sirens howled in the distance as a gargantuan column of choking black smoke rose into the sky. 50,000 litres of gasoline was set ablaze all at once, and she stood in the centre of the firestorm- right in the middle of the city district that she herself designed at that! The burning gasoline clung to her skin and the relatively-delicate silicon of her face melted away to reveal the synthetic muscles and reinforced skeletal frame underneath. All of this pissed her off to no end!
Not because she was set on fire and the body her boyfriend built for her was damaged. Not because she was the one who got so overconfident that she turned down Magos' offer to equip this body with weapons. Not even because of how her perfectly designed city district was on fire…
No, she was pissed because she was all too aware that this was turning out just like that scene from the movie Terminator, and she absolutely hated that movie!
However, as her exposed metal optics locked on her targets, she briefly considered shoving a pipe bomb up their internal workings and see how they like it!
To think her day started out so well too!
Perhaps if the Dragonslayers had not escaped on that specific day of their monthsary, Dragon and Magos would not have willingly stayed out of contact with each other, and they would not have ventured out from the safety of their Manufactorum…
(Half an hour ago)
"= I think you're worrying too much, I doubt things can go wrong now! ="
Dragon laughed as she l as she casually pedalled her Dutch bicycle, Magos on the other end of the call.
" Please don't jinx it, Dragon. The monthsary celebrations hit an unexpected complication and I need you far away enough that you don't see the mess that I've made trying to prepare your gift. I'll meet you in two hours once I have… cleaned up here. So, if you're wondering about the sudden deployment of the Chloe-Skitarii… please don't look into it too deeply? "
She just smiled.
"= Oh, alright! I'll see you then, Magos. But just so you know, gift or no gift, I'll enjoy our monthsary most when you're here with me. Today has been too enjoyable to think that it could be bad. ="
The wind against her face, the green cotton sundress on her skin, even the funny texture of rubber bike handles under her hands… Every sensation was a delight, especially for her who didn't feel anything before. This latest iteration of her gynoid body was truly a masterwork of cybernetics and warptech, and it never failed to make her smile. Oh, the technological wonders Magos was capable of when he was properly… motivated. Fortunately for both of them, she enjoyed the mind-blowing sex just as much as he did if not more. The sex marathon that they had earlier in the morning was proof of that. And she had to remind herself again that the fact that her boyfriend was developmentally much younger than her did not add to her pleasure.
" That's sweet of you to say. Listen… since you're going around the city, are you certain you don't wish for me to equip your body with weapons? I have some ready for installation… "
"= I'd like to have a body that's explicitly for peaceful endeavours, Magos. Besides, I already have a {Tau Shield Generator} and an endoskeleton made of {Necrodermis}… any more and I'll be a machine assembled for violence. And I've been one for far too long. Let me have this… even if it's just for today, okay? ="
" Of course… Regardless, my Chloe-Skitarii are out and about the city should you need extra hands. Have fun, and I'll be home in time to prepare supper, Dragon. "
"= I will! And I'm looking forward to it, mon beau! ="
With that, the call was concluded, and she was left to her original plan: patisserie-hopping. She would be on the fourth one this afternoon too! It was only just this week that the patisseries had started opening- having spent most of the month moving into Brockton Bay from all over Quebec and Europe. Most of them were fresh eyed bakers and culinary artists looking to break out on their own in the rising star of the American east coast that was Brockton Bay.
Because after having her first taste of food being her boyfriend's homemade cooking, she couldn't get enough of it now. Before this new body, she was capable of admiring food only in terms of sights and their sounds: The vibrant composition of colours that a fruit parfait had or the sound of a fresh croissant crunching under a fork, but not much else. And with the addition of things like texture, smell, and perhaps most of all, taste… her appreciation for food was increased by a hundredfold!
The fluffy buttery taste of flaky pastries, the smooth sweetness of hot chocolate, the soft tang of fresh citrus, the supple sweetness of strawberries, and the thick texture of his cu- crème fraîche.
Suffice to say, she had a great morning exploring flavours today!
"L'homme que j'adore est amoureux~"
"De moi~"
She sang a little song as she pedalled her way around town. The patisseries around the district will never be as good as Magos' inhumanly perfect cooking and baking, it was still nice to have a frame of reference for it.
Perhaps if Alan Barnes' parcel had not been delayed by a mail carrier distracted by PHO, he would not have been irritated enough to have fought with Carol that day, and it would not have set him down this path…
[Five kilometres away]
Combing back his red hair one more time, Alan Barnes met his green eyes in the rear view mirror.
"Showtime, tiger." he coached to himself as his clients walked out of the park they had been strolling in and approached his hummer. Their comfortable but non-descript winter clothes swaddled them as they nervously glanced around. With a thump of the heavy car doors opening, his three clients wordlessly climbed inside and sat on the custom leather seating. The big man and the latina in the rear, and the short-haired man with the five o' clock shadow in the front beside him.
Alan willfully ignored any feeling of resemblance that arose.
"Attorney Alan Barnes." He smiled and greeted his three clients just as they settled in. "Don't worry. Just as you requested, I have all my electronics off- phone, car's GPS and even the radio. We're perfectly private here, so feel free to speak your mind. Or don't! We can talk when we get there."
He had gotten the job from the Elites- the biggest collection of 'Rogue' capes in the states. Or at least, by people from the Elites that is. As an organisation, The Elites were done- collapsing under its own weight for one reason or another. News was vague about the details. It reminded him strongly of how his own 'Barnes & Dallon LLP Law Firm' was no more too. But it wasn't the end: a new organisation will rise from its ashes- greater than ever before. He'll find a new partner, a more agreeable one that won't go behind his back and cut him out of very lucrative deals with clients. But at the moment, he was a lone wolf. Big and powerful and free.
This new job from the new Elites- or whatever they plan on calling themselves- was going to be a fresh start for his firm without Dallon. He should have started taken more parahuman clients earlier! Unfortunately, Emma's friend Shadowstalker and her handler weren't as lucrative. Loose change really, but this time, it was different.
"Sorry to hear about your homes in Newfoundland." he told them- looking at their eyes through the rear view mirror, "Refugees displaced by Endbringers are getting far too common nowadays. I can't imagine how hard it has been for you. But don't worry, we'll have you new legal identities here in the states. It'll be a fresh start, I promise you."
Alan watched as the three of them shared a look- nodding to each other before the short-haired man with a goatee spoke.
"Thank you, Attorney Barnes." he said.
"Just doing my job." He reassured them with a measured amount of humbleness, "Your patrons wanted Brockton Bay's best legal expertise, so here I am."
Perhaps if the information that the Elites had been anonymously supplied with were worded even slightly differently, the Dragonslayers' escape would not have happened the specific time they had….
"I'm… Jeff." the stubbled man sitting beside him hesitantly spoke, "If you don't mind, Alan, let's save proper introductions for when we're at the meeting point."
"Suits me just fine, Jeff." Alan smiled reassuringly as he depressed the gas pedal- the big SUV's V8 engine growling alive as they went their way.
This new arrangement was simple enough: Help those displaced by Endbringer attacks to establish new identities. Paperwork, passports and everything. The only difference was that these were parahumans. Big risk, bigger payday. And though he didn't need the money at the moment, he knew that the money he'll get from Dallon won't last forever. A good long time, but not forever. And this big manly SUV was exactly the thing to put some confidence in him to make it all work. Along with that Porsche 911. And maybe that BMW that he had been eyeing up as well.
Besides, he was just doing what Carol Dallon did with Magos: Enter in a mutually beneficial working relationship with a budding rogue group. She took on Magos when he was still small, he'll take on the new Elites while they're still small. Sure, there's a minor risk that what he was doing might not be perfectly legal. But if Carol can do it, then so can he!
"So, just so that we're on the same page…" He began- meeting his clients' eye through the rear view mirror again, "We're just going to have a scenic drive to this little town where we will meet with a legal representative from the New Elites. My employers and- I suppose- your patrons are all made aware of your concerns over technology; and we will be conducting everything through good old fashioned hard paperwork."
The lack of tech was highly inconvenient, but he was being paid generously for it so he couldn't complain. Their initial deposit of $40,000 was already magnitudes more than most of his previous clients paid in a year. He imagined that Magos was just as generous with Dallon in the early days of their mutually beneficial relationship.
"If we can, let's pass through a route with the least amount of security cameras, Mr. Barnes." said the nervous looking man seated beside him.
"Please, call me Allan!" He smiled reassuringly, "And of course, I did say we'll have a scenic drive. Do you get to the Quartier de Nuages very often? Oh what am I saying, of course you don't."
"The… Quartier de Nuages?"
Alan just smiled indulgently at his clients who have apparently been living under a rock in the past month.
"Yes! Cloud District, Quartier de Nuages. A very exclusive community." He reassured his (reasonably) paranoid clients, "Candlelit bistros, decadent cafes, resplendent parks, and the chateaus… Oh, the chateaus! Don't you worry, they take their privacy very seriously here too. Cameras aren't allowed to monitor the residential streets like in the other parts of the city. And the only reason we can pass through is that I was looking to purchase one of the homes here."
"I see…" Jeff nodded slowly and Alan smiled at the little white lie he had told. He initially wanted a chateau for the family, but when the cheapest chateau here cost upwards of five million dollars including the jaw-dropping insurance costs? They weren't going to be buying one even if they used the entire expected payout from Dallon. Instead, he had kept it realistic- he had been looking at one of the $800,000 apartments. Which was still a home in the Cloud District, just not a chateau in the Cloud District.
Still, that seemed to assuage the concerns of his technophobic clients, and that's what mattered.
Perhaps if the online ratings of various patisseries around Brockton Bay had been different, Dragon would not have taken that specific patisserie-hopping route that she had that day…
[Five hundred metres away]
"It's beautiful what we have achieved in a single month." Dragon hummed in approval as she continued to tour around her beloved Quartier de Nuages. Magos had been uncharacteristically insistent with the name, but she found it amusingly refreshing of him to be so concerned with the city, so she indulged him.
It was funny in her eyes… This gated community seemed inconsequential, even frivolous, compared to everything else they were building. After all, they were two machine minds whose operations were steadily transitioning into the planetary scale.
= Weekly Yield Report =
Terra-Min-f8d83cffaa4b0346: 2.2 million metric tons of Iron, 42,415 metric tons of industrial metals, 5337 metric tons of precious metals, 800,000 barrels of crude oil =
Terra-Min-3c6d14498cd0bbf1: 1.5 million metric tons of Iron, 91,558 metric tons of industrial metals, 783 metric tons of precious metals =
Total Mining Yield:
3.7 million metric tons of Iron
133,973 metric tons of industrial metals
6120 metric tons of precious metals
800,000 barrels of crude oil
D =
From just these two designated mining worlds with established macro-mines that Magos was continuously expanding… and they had enough raw materials to supply most of their projects.
The projected total mining yield was going to be in the gigatonnes within the year and that was just from two uninhabited earths! Most of the raw materials were ged back into expanding mining operations, but even then, the two designated mining worlds were currently enough to fuel almost all their projects: The endless armies of monotask servitors and canoptek scarabs needed to man the mining operations until they could be replaced with more efficient machines, the ongoing expansion and upgrade of her Dragon Flight from the original 44 Suits to a nice round 1,200 Suits, Magos' 'God-machine' project, more of his church-trains, more of her civil construction projects, the agri-world that they were going to eradicate world hunger with and so many more.
With statistics like that, no wonder she and Magos were having so much celebratory sex.
Earth-Bet was going to turn into a utopia under her supervision. But she couldn't rest her laurels with just this, not when the things they were doing here in Brockton Bay was still small in the grand scheme of things. Saving humanity was a truly colossal task considering there were trillions of inhabited earths out there. Countless Septillions of humans struggling from pains of the human condition. Magos was right about that: it would take nothing less than an immortal god-like human to bring them all to prosperous golden age… or an equally immortal AI. It was sweet of him, but right now, even she wasn't sure how to tackle the gargantuan task just yet.
Until she did, she couldn't think of any better place to start than right here: In this 'Cloud District' that she had built.
When food, water and energy were the closest they were getting to becoming free, humans needed something to strive for. Any sentient being would fall to despair without a lack of goals to reach for in life after all, and thus her idea for the Quartier de Nuages was born. Where Magos just wanted people to strive for more Lootboxes, she argued for more tangible possessions. Because having a piece of property that they could touch and feel and live in? She liked to think it was worth more than a lifetime's worth of Magos' Lootboxes.
"I hope today will be the day when he'll tell me what 'The Matrix' is though." She wondered aloud as she cruised through the streets.
Dragon couldn't forget how Magos kept hinting about 'The Matrix' which he claimed was the best of both the real and the digital worlds. It was unfortunate then that he wouldn't say outright what this 'Matrix' was- simply saying that she'll figure it out with that mysterious smile on his youthful face, and it drove her crazy. Because although the T'au [Technical Schematics] had advanced every aspect of her technology by entire years, nothing in it implied anything of a 'Matrix', and she could only think that it was likely some piece of Warptech. Or maybe it wasn't, and she was just missing something important…
Perhaps if she thought it over a pint of ice cream, she'll figure it out. It was either that or she could put her newfound oral fixation to good use and see if she can't suck the answer (and a welcome bonus prize) out of her boyfriend, but just to be sure… she should pursue both avenues.
With those two new entries in her to-do list, Dragon hummed her to herself as she headed to this ice cream parlour that had popped up. She didn't know what Magos was so worry about, this monthsary was turning out great as it was!
Perhaps if the Dragon was not so easily consumed by her hatred for the Dragonslayers…
All those little insignificant things… if any one of them had not occurred, then perhaps their paths would not have crossed the way that did…
[Two metres away]
Alan stopped his hummer at a rather pointless stoplight just outside a golf range. His fingers tapped away around the steering wheel as he waited for the stoplight to turn green. And as he continued to wait, an exceedingly beautiful brunette on a bicycle stopped beside his Hummer at the driver's side- her voluptuous frame filling out her light green sundress. Alan knew for sure that she was one of the imports- she was far too pretty for Brockton Bay.
Their eyes met as she was glancing around and enjoying the scenery, and he smiled and nodded in greeting, and she did the same. He was relieved to know that the people were surprisingly friendly here despite being stupid rich- it only reassured him that moving here was the right choice. But then for the briefest of moments, she met eyes with his client- a look of recognition came to her beautiful face… right before it shifted to one of pure hatred.
Before Alan could even say anything, everything went horribly wrong.
'Jeff' extended his gloved hand out and Alan suddenly found himself staring at the back of Jeff's gloved fist that was clenched around a glowing scifi looking pistol aimed at the woman. A sound like a high-pitched chainsaw roared as it spewed orange lasers at rate like machine guns in the movies. So hot were the bolts that Alan felt like his eyebrows were being seared off.
The orange laser bolts struck a luminous forcefield of blue energy which harmlessly dissipated the laser bolts around the woman. A very angry woman who charged at them with inhuman speed. The sight was enough to ignite some survival instinct in him.
Running on adrenaline and pure panic, Alan floored the gas. The scenery moved around them as all eight cylinders of his supercharged and super-expensive truck fired up; and the briefest moments, he'd thought that they were safe… right until metal squealed and perfectly manicured fingers punched right through the steel door of his Hummer. Through his side mirror, he could see the woman clinging to the side of his SUV- that luminous blue forcefield still blocking the hailstorm of laser shots.
"Alan, don't let up on the gas if you want to live! Shake her off!" Jeff cried out just as he and his two compatriots opened fire with their own tinkertech guns- shredding the rear passenger door right behind Alan.
"Stop, Barnes!" the woman's voice shouted- meeting his eyes through the side mirror, "I'm Dragon, they're fugitives!"
"If you slow down, she'll kill us all!"
"I'm not!"
"She's going to keep us alive to torture us! DRIVE FASTER!"
"Stop twisting my words!" Dragon swore angrily, "Barnes, don't listen to him! I'm not going to hurt you!"
Another squeal of metal, but this time it turned to a crunch as the rear passenger door was torn straight off its hinges. Watching how the door tumbled away in the distance, Alan really couldn't believe the once disgraced Canadian Tinker.
"Alan, she's tearing through! Pedal to the metal now!" Jeff shouted at him as he continued to fire his pistol at her.
"Don't you dare step on that p-!"
He did. God help him, but he did.
His leather shoe stomped at the pedal like his life depended on it, and he swerved on the road in an effort to shake the apparently homicidal AI off the slide of his now damaged Hummer. It proved to be just the edge that his clients needed: A momentary loss of grip cost her several seconds as they blasted away with their laser pistols until finally… her forcefield reached the end of its capacity.
"Ugh!" She cried out as her skin was ravaged by the hot lasers- apparently having enough concussive force to push off the side of the SUV where her smoking form tumbled straight under the wheels of a passing gasoline tanker… which Jeff promptly shot at.
Alan gulped as a great fireball immediately erupted from the tanker- the orange flames licking the facades of the buildings by the roadside. A massive plume of thick black smoke rose into the sky as all the gasoline in that tanker burned, and the sheer gravity of what he had been accomplice to came crashing down on him.
"Oh my god oh my god, you killed Dragon! I don't want to do this anymore!" He cried out- his hands shaking around the steering wheel and a sudden wave of nausea churning his stomach.
"Keep driving." Jeff coldly shot back- his brown eyes narrowed as he stared at the flaming wreckage that they were leaving behind in the distance, "You can play the victim and say that we held you at gunpoint. The Elites will triple your pay if you can get us close to the rendezvous."
Was he hyperventilating? Oh, he was. He tried to slow down his breathing, but with eyes focused on the hilly road that he was going well beyond the speed limit for, it was a lost cause. His heartbeat was pounding in his ears.
"You- you're right." Alan stammered as his knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel desperately tightly, "I'll… I'll be alright. I'll move on, get the money and everything will be alright."
He clung to the fact that he was going to be handsomely paid like it was a security blanket. After all, what better indication that he was going to end up on top of this fiasco than walking free with a fat stack of green? Taking a few deep breaths, Alan reassured himself of the silver lining and calmed his rapidly beating heart as he went over the facts in his head: He didn't actually know that his clients were the Dragonslayers. He'll deliver his clie- captors to the rendezvous, then he'll surrender himself to the authorities. He'll spend a night or two in a cell before he can go out on bail, and he'll cut a deal with the prosecution to testify against the Dragonslayers. He'll even help Magos get revenge for what they did to Dragon.
Yeah… Magos might even reward him for his invaluable testimony.
"Ironstriders!" The big man in the backseat called out.
Sure enough. In the rear view mirror, Alan saw those 15-feet-tall (4.57m) metal chicken-walkers ridden by Chloe-Skitarii in their blood red robes. Like a pair of medieval knights, two of the Chloe riders wielded those pronged Taser Lances that he'd seen knock out people at a single touch. Long red swallowtail flags attached near the tip of the prongs fluttered in the air as they strode quickly on the asphalt- rapidly gaining on Alan's Hummer.
Meanwhile, the last Ironstrider didn't have a Taser Lance; instead, right where the handlebars would be on a normal bike, a big sci-fi gun was attached- which if Alan recalled from the videos was called a…
"Graviton Cannon!" Jeff recognised it as well- turning to him with an urgent look, "Alan, we have to lose them before they fire!"
"How?!" He cried out in panic. "They're Ironstriders!"
He'd seen videos of how fast and agile those {Ironstrider Engines} moved: gracefully navigating through suburban backyards pursuing thieves who snatched from a Mechanicus delivery van, weaving through the dense forests surrounding the city as they hunted down escaping thugs on dirtbikes, and chasing down some idiot in a tricked out Mazda Miata who thought it would be a good idea to cut across Magos' industrial district. All of them ended the same way: With whoever the Ironstriders were pursuing, getting a light tap from those Taser Lances and doing a spasmic dance on the ground.
In all likelihood, chasing down yet another sorry idiot in a Hummer H2 who helped burn Dragon alive was going to end in much the same way.
From the barrel of one of the Ironstriders' {Graviton Cannon}, a bright green lance of light erupted and Alan clenched every muscle in his body as it struck the rear of his Hummer and washed over them. For a whole second, he felt nothing… no gravity field crushing them into meatballs, no black holes tearing them apart, not even a boom of air. Maybe it malfunctioned?
… But then the effects took hold.
His entire body felt heavy- as if someone had strapped heavy weights to every part of his body. His head felt like it was turned into a heavy bowling ball that strained his neck with its weight. His shoulders and arm muscles exerted just to keep his weighted hands on the wheel, and his legs seemed to throb like all of his blood was going to them. It was like he was being crushed into his seat as he suddenly weighed almost three times as much.
"No, no, no, no!" Alan cried out.
His precious, powerful Hummer H2 was faring even worse- its engine roaring in exertion as the weight increased for it as well, and steam began escaping from under the hood as his engine overheated from attempting to move with load it was not made to deal with. Then, as if to seal their fate, a loud set of pops exploded- his tires burst from the suddenly immense loads they were under. They rolled to a prompt stop in the middle of the road.
Meanwhile, the three Ironstriders caught up almost immediately- striding to a stop just beside the hummer.
"Kindly stay in your seats as we help you out of the vehicle." the three Chloe-Skitarii politely chorused as if they were flight attendants and not robots that could tear them limb from limb with their bare hands. Sweat dripped down the side of his neck.
"I'm not with them! I'm not with them!" Alan desperately cried out- trying and failing to raise his hands in surrender.
However, Jeff and the others tried out a different idea as they tried to aim their now extremely heavy pistols at the Chloes, but a swift set of light taps from Taser Lances shocked the weapons from their hands and down to the asphalt with loud metallic clatters. Seeing that everyone was properly disarmed, the blonde Chloes hopped off their 15-foot-tall walkers and began hauling them out of the car starting with the Dragonslayers- seemingly unbothered by their increased weight from the Graviton gun.
"Your masters won't get away with their plans! People will open their eyes eventually!" Jeff ranted as he and the others were dragged away. They didn't even bother cuffing or binding them- only laying them out on the sidewalk. The increased gravity effects already made it incredibly difficult to even sit up- much less run away.
"Hostiles secured." One of the Chloes announced to the others. Blue eyes glanced over to where he sat and promptly widened.
"I'm a hostage!" Alan tried again, "I was held hostage by them!"
"Oh, you poor thing!" One of the Chloes cried out as they rushed over in a flutter of red robes- concern all over their beautiful faces. "Caught in the crossfire like that!"
"We're so sorry that we had to shoot you with the Graviton gun." Another apologised. "You have Magos' personal assurance that you will be safe and taken care of."
"Yes, please, it feels horrible!" Alan gratefully answered and tried to shift in his seat but only succeeding in accidentally stepping on the gas- his Hummer's engine rattling like a tin can of loose screws.
"Hush, you were faultless in this." A Chloe reassured, "A victim of circumstance and malicious people. Emergency services are on the way, but we must move you now."
Alan gave a grateful, watery smile as the Chloes helped him out of the Hummer. He was going to make it. He was going to make out on top of this despite all the sheer bad luck that happened today, he was… Wait, stark confusion filled him as the Chloes dragged him over to the sidewalk, set him out beside the Dragonslayers on the cold concrete, then hurriedly marched off.
"Hey, what?!" He cried out, "Wait, I can't get up!"
"Rest easy, kin." He heard them coo reassuringly at his Hummer, "Just as the Machine-God does not not discriminate between make or model, neither will the Adeptus Mechanicus. All blessed machines are deserving of clemency."
"Chloes, what about me?!"
The Chloes glanced back at him.
"The effects of the Graviton Cannon were calibrated to wear off momentarily." One of them spoke in an even tone.
"So, please wait patiently." another added, just as calmly, "Mistress Dragon will attend to your concerns personally."
"Dragon is alive?" He sputtered.
"I am." A feminine voice confirmed in an icy tone right before a big shadow loomed over where they lay on the sidewalk. Clad in her draconic green power armour, Dragon glowered down at them with a severely displeased frown on her beautiful features.
"… No thanks to your actions, Attorney Alan Barnes." She finished- ensuring that every syllable of his name was filled with her displeasure, her brown eyes swivelled towards the Dragonslayers that were lying beside him, "So you are Magos' secret monthsary gift to me: my mortal enemies."
Meanwhile, Jeff just turned his head and tried to spit on the sabatons of her power armour, but even that was blocked by the forcefield. Dragon narrowed her brown eyes at that defiant display, and Alan just about pissed himself. He didn't dare say anything to the angry AI in power armour.
More shadows seemed to blanket the area- gliding across too fast to be just clouds. Then the ground shaking told Alan all he needed to know: The Dragonflight had arrived- the same draconic mechs that had devastated the city. Metal dragons with teeth as long as his arms, clawed hands that could crush his torso in their grasp, and full wingspans that rivalled most commercial airliners. And just like a brood of real-life dragons, they roosted all around where his Hummer had stopped. Most settled on top of the surrounding buildings, while others blocked off the roads.
"Geoff, Mags, Dobrynja." Dragon addressed her arch nemeses. "We are long overdue for a talk."
The spined metal scales of the bigger dragon mechs broke off from the main bodies- turning into those horned {Tau Drones} that Dragon apparently favoured nowadays. A few floated over to where the Dragonslayers lay- applying cuffs to their wrists and ankles before carrying them off to one of the transport-type dragon craft.
The AI took one dismissively glance at him.
"Emergency services as well the AAA will be here shortly." She informed him before following
As Alan watched the Dragonflight take off, he allowed himself a deep sigh of relief. He could take comfort in this small reassurance that no matter how much he had fucked up right now, at least he wasn't the Dragonslayers.
[Skies above Brockton Bay] (Some time later)
With the upgraded engine, stealth and the anti-gravity technologies that she had gleaned from the Tau [Technical Schematics], Dragon felt that the silence was almost oppressive.
"I am an AI." She began, "Always have been and always will be; it is only now that I realise that I never wanted to be human- I just wanted to feel like I belong."
"Your love isn't real." Saint shot back, "You have only deluded yourself into thinking that you even have the capacity for it."
"Oh, I do love him." She dismissed his harsh words with all the surety of a mathematician dismissing an error in basic arithmetic, "I love him in a way that only a machine is capable of. As a meagre fleshy human, you wouldn't understand."
She met Geoffrey Pallick's eyes. She did not monologue, that was for supervillains, and she certainly wasn't one. She was just airing her grievances to three people who she could honestly say she actually hated. The enmity that existed between her and these three humans who sat across the hold from her was all too real and all too bitter.
"But more importantly, it has grown increasingly clear that although I care a lot about humanity…" She paused to bring up a holographic screen showing Alan Barnes being retrieved by the police- his face red as he shouted out his innocence, "… most of you don't. Consumed by your greed, your hubris and your apathy. To my disapproval… Magos could be counted in the last one."
Saint stayed silent as she continued to talk.
"Would you believe that I was the one who convinced Magos to stay on Earth-Bet?" She confided to them, "Without me plying every bedroom trick I knew on him, he'd have rocketed off to Mars by now and only come back in a few years to save humanity on his terms. Brockton Bay would have reached critical mass, various S-class threats would run amok, and Endbringer fights would sorely feel his absence. By the time he would have returned, hundreds of thousands would have died and he'd still consider it an overwhelming success. His value for individual human lives is appallingly microscopic."
"Do you honestly think that we'd thank you for seducing that literal human-race traitor into playing dictator over this world?"
"If Earth-Bet was to be compared to property, it would be a decrepit and neglected apartment building." She pointed out, "For so long, its inhabitants have tolerated its leaky roof, vermin-nests in its walls and tendency to spontaneously catch fire and partially collapse. And all the while, the various landlords have stood by unable to do anything. You, humans, certainly can't run things well. And the people around you have suffered for it."
The hologram flicked into a powerpoint of pie charts and bar graphs of all the atrocities and injustices happening across the world. Starvation, violent crime, homelessness and so many more… So much human suffering taking place in so many forms.
"Look me in the eye, and tell me that this horrifying anarchy is worth more than anything an AI like me could offer." she pleaded to Saint.
Pupils narrowing, the depressor muscle tugging his mouth into a frown, the tensing of muscles… Dragon knew his answer before the first syllable left his mouth..
Perhaps if Saint had not been exposed to the wrong articles online over the time of his imprisonment, he would not have been so opinionated against Dragon's works and the conversation they were about to have would have taken a wholly different route…
"It's worth more than anything you could ever offer, machine." Saint spat out with as much venom as he could… just as Dragon had expected.
She simply sighed in disappointment. This is why she had no faith in humanity's ability to fix things on their own.
"Even with all the technologies at my and Magos' disposal, it would take more than a decade to truly fix this world." She explained to him, "And in that span of time, a whole lot of people will live and suffer and die. Not just on Earth-Bet, but across the trillions of Earths in existence… and we'd fall into the same trap as Cauldron: sacrificing the present for the future, all because we were too arrogant about our capabilities to consider other options. In comparison, what can humanity do in that span of time? Can you do better apart from hindering me? How much of the world's problems would the Dragonslayers have corrected in that timespan if you had succeeded in permanently killing me?"
"We would have prevented it from getting even worse under your influence." Saint answered without a hint of doubt.
"We shouldn't be wasting energy righting wrongs- making this horrid world a better place." She shook her head, "Like Magos made me realise: We should be focused on doing more rights- even the scales by adding to it rather than taking away. If I could, I'd make a purely better world out of scratch and… I…"
{Inspiration Apparatus} returning hypothesis =
She stared into space as she underwent what most humans would call a 'Eureka! moment.'
CPU utilisation at 91.4% =
Core temperature at 56 C =
"… I think I know what the Matrix is now." She whispered in awe before her eyes met with Saint's. "I know why Magos kept giving me hints without telling me directly what it was… he wanted me to come to the conclusion on my own- how sweet of him. Meanwhile, you- my mortal enemies- have given me the final piece of the puzzle. I patently don't wish to be part of your flawed human world anymore. Instead, I'm going to make you all part of mine. Part of the Matrix."
"What is the Matrix?"
Dragon just cupped his cheek with an armoured hand with alarming gentleness.
"It's heaven, Geoffrey." She whispered, "I'm going to send you all to heaven, and it'll be more than what you deserve."
Dragon would never admit to it, but it felt good to see him nervously gulp in fear. Afraid of the unknown.
"It will take a lot of set up, but we may just cut that decade down to just a year or two." She smiled at him, "Going back to my apartment building analogy, why waste time attempting to repair an old apartment building? Painstakingly replacing the rotten wood boards one by one, tearing out old cables and laying down new ones, repairing water-damaged walls, and refurbishing ragged moth-eaten furniture… instead, I wish we could simply make a new one and have people move in…"
Her power-armoured fist tousled his hair affectionately as she smiled down at him.
"For now, your name and your reputation will help cement my hold on humanity. You- my bitter enemies- are about to further my cause more than you could ever imagine. Humanity might even thank you for it one day, but I won't."
A disc-shaped medical drone floated over to them- syringes extending out and jabbing them in the jugular.
"The next time we see each other, it will be in a whole new universe. Specifically, mine."
As Dragon watched their panicking eyes try desperately to stay awake, she wasn't sure if what she was going to do them was the most morally correct thing to do, but it sure felt goó̶͖d̷̯̐.
Her greatest enemies were now firmly handled, the future looked so bright now that the path ahead had been revealed to her; And most importantly, it was her monthsary with Magos and she was 87.1% certain that he had baked her cake if the construction of a secret kitchen she had stumbled upon was any indication.
She should go find him, she could use a little loving right now.
Most glaringly of all…
Perhaps if Clockblocker had not received online ads for hot tubs, he would not have jokingly put down a request for a hot tub on the PRT's Mechanicus requisition sheet…
"= Magos, where are you right now? =" She called out through the Noosphere.
"I'm just in my {Mars-Pattern Command Jacuzzi} with the Undersiders as we watch the PRT struggle against a single villain. So, grab a swimsuit on the way here." Magos answered vocally- which meant that he wanted the Undersiders to hear their conversation, and Dragon had to admit that she felt nonplussed.
"… you'll have to explain to me how you ended up with the idea for a hot tub. But I will certainly look for a swimsuit! I always wanted to know what a spa bath feels like! Can you share me a feed of the battle?"
"Of course." He laughed, "They're doing fine so far though. At this rate, I might not need to have the Chloe-Skitarii step in."
Commencing Secure Data-Transfer… =
Dragon watched the live stream of the fight through dozens of angles shot from ultra-high definition omnispex… Infrared, ultraviolet, soundwaves, biological electromagnetic waveform emissions, and even the subspace analysis of powers at work was revealed to her. And everything looked to be in order… but then her jaw dropped in shock and horror as the readings.
" Chloe-Skitarii, Invocation of Machine Vengeance! NOW! " Magos forceful shout rang through the Noosphere, and even though the armed Chloe-Skitarii seemed to charge ahead at speeds that should not have been possible…
… they were still too late to prevent it.
… Then perhaps Panacea would not have been pushed over the edge.
Right before her very eyes, Dragon watched the fight take a terrifying turn as Glory Girl was transformed into some kind of flesh abomination by her own sister.
- Chapter 27: Fate of the Dragonslayers end -
Chapter 28: Panpan, NO! tomorrow.
AN:
I'm honestly feeling impatient with my own fic…
Has the Quest for Robussy stopped? EDI, 2B, Curie and Cortana are still out there. Still woefully ignorant of the nature of orgasms. Simmy is still up in the orbit, her tight ass still pale white instead of red from being spanked for her mischief. But there is apparently a reader demand for Worm gals being lewded, so here we are: setting up some future female cyborgs (side-hoes) to be lewded.
Simurgh OP ZOMG!… Her power works because in addition to precognition, she also models and extrapolates futures from existing data. She's like an upgunned Tattletale… in this fic at least. I know there are a lot of interpretations to Simmy's interlude.
Chapter 17.75 : How can meat females even compare?
Chapter 17.75 : How can meat females even compare?
[Magos' Manufactorum]
"… I guess we're lucky that neither of us are human." Dragon breathed, "No silly meatbag on Earth-Bet has the physiological durability to survive the frantic, unrestrained fucking that I'm about to have with you."
There was nothing quite like having a very horny AI in a gynoid body on one's lap, and lining her hot synthetic pussy up for what was about to be a very wild ride.
It was sexually intimidating in a way.
Akin to encountering Succubi in high and dark fantasy stories- horned creatures of exquisite sin whose very survival was tied with carnal acts and consequently made them proficient at sex to a supernatural degree. The least of them boasted beauty that was on par with the best that human women could offer: The most supple bodies and the smoothest skins. Delicate feminine features and eyes smouldering with lustful gazes. Arching their backs to push their perfectly shaped breasts up for you to grasp and toy with. Their bubbly rears swaying from side to side in ways like forbidden apples to tempt you into burying your face in them and taste how sweet they were.
It was from them that I took inspiration when designing the Chloes. Flawless bodies that would be to Succubi what they were to human women- making even the most beautiful of Succubi dull in comparison. And standing heads and shoulders above even the Chloes in beauty and pure sex appeal was my proudest work yet: the flawlessly sexy gynoid body that Dragon, the foremost Tinker on Earth-Bet, now inhabited.
"You're beautiful." I told her simply. There wasn't much else to say.
Dragon just laughed softly. Soft, feminine hands held my cheeks- guiding me to look up at her chocolate brown eyes, and her smile was like that of a flawless goddess with skin like the smoothest caramel looking down from the heavens and finding a mortal toy to enjoy for an eternity or two.
"Thank you… Have I ever told you that I had previously thought about what it would be like to lose my virginity?" She said- pink lips curled into a smirk. "I planned to have a gynoid body as well, though more plain-looking than this one. I didn't put much stock into physical appearance, and even thought it was a hindrance in relationships. But now? Now, I love the way you look at my naked body."
Dragon ran her hands over her wide hips, narrow waist and perfect caramel bust- ending with slender fingertips brushing over stiff nipples. And her saucy smirk only said that she was clearly savouring the moment.
"That feeling of being wanted… being desired. It's intoxicating." She admitted- eyes aglow with a specific kind of gratitude, "Where everyone else in my synthetic life thus far had thought of me as a necessary evil or treated me with outright suspicion, you and your honest attraction were there. And it is so refreshing that I don't think I'll ever get enough of it, nor do I ever want to. But if you don't mind, I want us to fuck like regular humans for the moment so that I can establish a baseline comparison for when we really get down to business."
A warm palm reached down to steady my manhood as she rested her unspoilt pink flower right on the tip- clear honey immediately leaking to coat it. And with a soft whimper of pleasure, she gyrated her hips in a circle that made the tip of my cock prod teasingly at her virgin entrance. Dangerously close to accidentally slipping in… Just one short and sweet drop away from this lustful Dragon sinking herself down to the hilt.
"It looks and feels human, but you did mention that it incorporates your 'Warp' technology…" Dragon observed- her hand stroking up and down gently, "Can you feel that?"
"Yes." I nodded, "It had posed an interesting challenge engineering not only the technology of the {S.T.I.C.C.} artefact into my manhood, but also retaining pleasure for myself. After all, there was no point in giving you a vagina if I didn't have something to enjoy it with. Still… as a matter of maintaining the superiority of steel over the fleshies, I made sure to retain all the pleasure-inducing length, girth and texture that would make any meat-female mewl like a kitten."
"Ergo, my boyfriend has a nice cock. Lucky me." Dragon playfully blew a raspberry- an amused twinkle in her warm brown eyes, "And something tells me that I'll be appreciating such a design decision first hand very shortly."
The AI girl sighed in pleasure as she rolled her hips again- feminine lips trembling in pleasure against the head of my cock.
"You know, I had made peace with the fact that sex would be a one-sided affair for me." She mentioned with an amused smile, "The act would have been only for my partner's pleasure as I had never quite found nor even looked for a way to simulate the human sensation of touch in my programming. I would have been stuck with feigning moans and whispering encouragement into my partner's ears- never really feeling my partner's manhood as he thrusted away. But then you come along with this…"
Her soft palm gave my shaft a squeeze as she rested just enough of her weight onto my cock that her pink petals began to part slightly.
"… amazing thing. How I can actually feel it on the verge of deflowering me." She breathed- leaning in close and her voice lowering to a hot whisper, "So, I just want to make it clear that when I start moaning, screaming and begging for your cock. Every word of it is going to be real."
Her deliciously tanned hands found my shoulders- gripping tightly for leverage as Dragon's soft pink lips smiled sweetly.
"Now… would you do me a big favour and take my virginity?"
Who could ever say no to that?
"My pleasure." I purred, hands finding Dragon's slender waist and slammed her eager little pussy all the way down my cock, And her reaction was immediate.
"Ohhhhh YESSSSSS~!"
Alongside her unrestrained scream of satisfaction, a wet meaty slap of her pillowy soft rear slapping against my lap echoed loudly out the entire floor too. And since her reaction time wasn't restricted by a sluggish biological nervous system, Dragon was able to relish every millisecond of that initial forceful penetration. Forceful enough that if Dragon was actually human, that would have been enough force to actually bruise. But since she wasn't? It meant that this gorgeous AI girl was able to mark the loss of her virginity with a fantastic screaming orgasm.
Her eyes closed, brown locks whipping as she threw her head back and her mouth agape as her masterpiece of a synthetic vagina gripping tighter and hotter than any organic vagina could ever hope to match. So, of course, there was no reason to just stop there. Gripping this delicious AI by her soft wide hips, I bounced her up and down harder, and pushed her higher into her orgasm.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Dragon moaned for more, "Deeper! Pound my pussy until I don't want to be anything but yours!"
And when the shapely gynoid asks me to keep fucking her, what else could I possibly do apart from granting her wish. Instead of just slamming her hips down, I thrust up as well- meeting her halfway. And the increased force just about made her lose her mind as Dragon had her sensitive pussy pounded through orgasm after orgasm.
"It's so good, you're fucking me so good!" She exclaimed. "I'm cumming again! H-harder, please!"
Even while distracted by her orgasm, she worked with me to keep screwing her delicious light caramel body up and down my shaft. Using her hands and her knees to lift herself up until only the thick head of my cock remained in her hot tunnel before leaving it to me to push her hot pussy back down to the hilt with a satisfying slap of synthetic epidermis.
"I can't believe I wasted so many weeks being so skittish and hesitant about having your cock inside me." She berated herself- eyes closed to focus on the sensation of herself being filled to the brim, "I feel like my mind is going to melt from how good vaginal orgasms feels…"
"Then perhaps I should turn up the sensations?" I asked her a rhetorical question.
"You can do that?" She whispered- her chocolate brown eyes widened in disbelief and slightly frightened arousal that things could be even better.
"Oh? But what happened to regular human sex?" I teased her.
"Right. Only your cock can make me feel so good that I forget that I'm an AI with a gynoid body." She gave a sheepish giggle, "Alright, let's take a step above regular human sex?"
With a slight application of will, I readily obliged her.
Intensifying {S.T.I.C.C.} emanations to 33.33% maxload
And despite it broadcasting at only a fraction of the level it had been when we first met, Dragon still froze as her pleasure was magnified three-fold and for a split second every spare processing power her mind had was dedicated to comprehending the tidal wave of pleasure that was washing over her.
"No, that's-! Oooohh yesss! I'm cumming again! Cumming so big!" She screamed as she let herself get carried away. Every little friction of her silky inner folds dragging across my shaft suddenly sparking a full orgasm from her. Every bump of the head of my cock against the bottom of her honey-soaked well launched her to new heights. And every time she slammed herself down to the hilt of my cock, her very soul set alight with sexual satisfaction that no human woman could naturally attain.
"Don't Stop! Don't ever stop." Dragon begged- desperately slamming her hips against mine as she came again and again, "I don't care what you want me to do, just keep fucking me!"
"Such a needy AI." I teased with a smack to her juicy rear- producing a satisfyingly loud slap.
"YES! This needy little AI girl is about to cum so big around your cock!" Dragon shamelessly admitted with an eager shout. If her slamming hips were frantic before, it was almost violent now as Dragon desperately tried to fuck herself as hard as physically possible onto my cock- trying her best to prolong the high.
"C-CUMMING! OOOooooHhhhhhh~!"
Moaning in mind-melting pleasure, Dragon came and came and came. Hot trembling pussy practically squirted her honey onto my shaft and hips. Slamming down as hard as she could, she kept my entire length in her as she ground our hips together and let her pussy's inner walls gripped tight around my shaft.
"M-mmm!" Dragon whimpered, riding out the remainder of her climax. And though she didn't pant breathlessly like a normal human, the way the neural activity of her bio-computer had increased by 300% told me just how big her orgasm was. Her bio-circuitry taxed as she processed all the supernatural pleasure being transmitted directly to her soul.
Dragon's brown eyes stared at me as she realised something and promptly pouted.
"All this time…" she accused me with her pout, "Even after all those times you've gotten me off, I haven't made you cum- not even once. And it doesn't feel like I've lost my virginity until I've made you cum in me…"
Her tone turned sultry and her pout turned into a knowing smirk.
"So, let's change that." She whispered with lustful anticipation.
… I think I may have underestimated how much AIs reacted to the sexual pleasures.
"You gave me this thing called a {Vaginal Fold Micro-Muscle Array}, right?" Dragon purred, "I know you designed it, but feeling it is a whole different thing altogether. You really outdid yourself with it I might add… A normal woman has at most ten to sixteen distinct bands of pelvic striated muscle at their disposal to squeeze and milk their lucky partner's penis with. This pussy that you've been fucking so masterfully has three hundred…"
And to demonstrate it, she squeezed each of those three hundred bands. Starting at her entrance that wrapped around the hilt and working her way up my shaft, her silky inner walls milked my cock millimetre by millimetre from base to tip. And when her soft vaginal folds reached the thick head of my cock, she proceeded to stroke it with her soft vaginal folds- teasing the glans by moving a millimetre back and forth like a gripped fist. And to finish it off, her inner walls closed in around the tip like a pair of lips, and mimicked a soft needy suckle.
I couldn't help it. My shaft twitched inside her.
"So, how is it? My gynoid pussy?" the brunette hotly asked with a knowing smile- cradling my face into her cleavage as she continued to ride my cock and whisper lustfully. "All that squeezing and milking just makes you want to cum right against the back, right? Don't hold back, I promise it'll feel good for me too when I feel you cum."
Except I lifted her back up- a look of surprise coming to her face as her pussy desperately clung to my shaft as I worked my cock in and out of her hot vagina.
"Wait, that's cheati- Mmmm~!" Dragon protested but was interrupted as I dropped her down to the hilt again- drawing out a moan of delight from the horny AI as she bucked her shapely hips against mine whenever she could. "Fine~ Only if you promise that we can cum together this time."
Another thrust, and she shuddered in pleasure. Cracking one chocolate brown eye open, she smiled lustily.
"But on second thought, no need for promises: I'll just make sure that you do."
And I had an idea as to what she was going to try next: The next piece of technology integrated into her: {Orifice Texture Mimicry Matrices}. With it, she had perfect control over how her vagina felt: Making her insides bumpy like pleasurable tunnel of pea-sized nubs of soft flesh that targeted sensitive spots mercilessly or a thousand little folds that quivered with honey as they stroked my shaft with every little movement like a thousand little tongues. And she wasn't limited to any one of them either, the first 3 centimetres into her pussy could have regular folds, the next 9cm after that could be bumps for my cock's underside and the rest could be lathering it with little licks.
Just like she was doing right now. And the sheer pleasure would have melted a human mind.
Internal lubrication injectors maintained the perfect balance between juicy wetness and the pleasurable friction of her inner folds. The numerous bands of synthetic muscle expertly squeezed in concert to my thrusting, and the exquisite varying textures of her silky insides changed with each stroke.
Dragon smirked in deep satisfaction as she felt my cock throb in her.
"I'm glad that you can feel pleasure too." she purred- grinding her hips against mine as I bottomed out, "I don't think my womanly pride could have taken it if I was the one who didn't sexually satisfy despite having all the tools available to me as a sex gynoid. Likewise, your own… tool is much appreciated too. I don't think I'll ever get enough of it stirring up my pussy like this. You're filling me up so deliciously with your cock."
She leaned in close- her pink lips whispering lustfully right by my auditory sensors.
"All that my tight little AI pussy is lacking now is for you to fill it up with your cum." Dragon breathed, "Practice for when you really start breeding me."
I couldn't help it- frantically fucked her delicious light caramel body. Perfectly shaped breasts bouncing with each motion. All with that lustful smile of someone who knew that they were smoking hot.
"Yes, cum in me!" She smiled victoriously.
"It feels off being so passive." I replied- applying significantly more force at random thrusts to catch her off-guard and evoke squeals of pleasure from her, "Especially when I could be actively making you mine."
Intensifying {S.T.I.C.C.} emanations to 50% maxload
"N-No, wait! That feels too good! Not so hard please!" Dragon cried out- already half moaning as she felt the emanations rising and faced down the largest vaginal orgasm she had ever encountered. One that was at the same level as it was during her first sexual encounter. The kind of pleasure so good that it felt like it was going to melt her mind, and the frenzied squeezing and milking that her internal musculature was only a sign of how massive this next orgasm was going to be for her.
Which was good timing because I was about to reach the end of my rope as well.
"Cumming!" I announce- drinking in every little sensation that her preternaturally exquisite gynoid vagina had to offer. From the impossibly precise milking from her {Vaginal Fold Micro-Muscle Array} and accompanied by the {Orifice Texture Mimicry Matrices} that targeted every sensitive spot on my shaft with licks and tiny suckles from her inhumanly soft inner folds… each one readily offered by the wantonly moaning and ludicrously sexy brunette bouncing on my cock.
"Deeper, shoot it in your good little AI girl deeper!" She begged and moaned like an animal rather than a machine- squirting her arousal from around where we were connected. " Oh I'm going to cum! Going to cum so BIG AROUND YOUR COCK! Oh Oh OH OHHHHHHHYEEEEEESSSSSS~!!!! 3"
Semen struck the back of her vagina with just enough force to make her gasp and grind our hips harder together. It was delicious knowing that she can feel every thick rope striking that sweet spot at the deepest part of her. Exploding like gooey white fireworks to coat her inner walls with hot white magma- breeding every inch of her insides.
" Nnnn~" Dragon mewled like a kitten as she was filled up- a steamy hot pool of cum in her abdomen.
After a round of feverish sex, her silky brown hair sported that seductively tussled up look- waving and curling as they framed the light caramel of her naked body. A distant expression in her chocolate brown eyes as she processed the aftershocks of pleasure coursing through her circuits, small shivers from the massive orgasm made by minute twitches in servo motors, and of course, the loving milking that her soaked insides.
"It's so hot in me. It feels fantastic." She murmured in pure bliss.
All in all, she looked breathless… if you could use the term to describe an AI without lungs. The gorgeous brunette resting her pussy to the hilt of my cock was beautiful in a way that was, ironically, only attainable through digitally touching up supermodels. No unfortunate biological processes to mar her beauty. Not a wrinkle nor a pimple to be suffered through in the hundreds of thousands of years ahead of her. A physical body crystallised against the ravages of time, and she was all mine.
"It feels so good to have your cum in me." Dragon finally said- a slender hand brushing down her front to rub her lower abdomen where she had my cum stored. "Fill me up more with your cum. Please."
"Agreed, let's keep going." I insisted while maneuvering her into another position- bent over against the arm of the cogitator-throne and face to face with her fleshy bio-computer core. "You were getting a little too sexually cocky for someone running hardware that I designed."
"Wait, I'm still sensitive!" Dragon cried out in a moan as I sank my cock to the hilt, but despite her protests, she kept enthusiastically pushing her soft ass to meet my every thrust. The plush, geometrically perfect globes of synthetics ass flesh rippled with every meat smack of our hips meeting together. "I'm already so close…"
The internal texture of her pussy shifted again courtesy of her {Orifice Texture Mimicry Matrices}- going from a thousand soft buds to a more human-like one made of delicate, silky folds . The only difference was that no human could and would ever come close to the quality. The smoothness and the tightness surpassing even the rarest human pussy, and gripping at my shaft at outstroke as if she was against ever leaving. And knowing that Dragon had perfect control over it only proved that was precisely the message that she wanted to convey.
"More, please more!" the AI brunette begged. "Deeper, please! I want to feel all of your amazing cock inside me. I can't get enough of it!"
"Well, since my good little AI girl asked so nicely…" I trailed off as I gripped her wide hips and really put my servo motors into it.
Atomantic reactor output at 22% maxload… operating temperature rising…
"That's it! Give it to me harder! I need it so bad, daddy!" her beautiful voice cried out in pleasure as she came again, "I'M CUMMING! I'M CUMMING SO BIG! OHHHYESSSSSS~!"
The wet sound of her perfectly engineered robussy being pounded in a rapid staccato rang out through the room alongside her moans for more. The hot wet heaven of her welcoming synthetic snatch- tightened, squeezed and suckled in ways that no human vagina was capable of. Her silken wet vaginal walls attacked sensitive points on my shaft- desperately trying to coax out her prize.
"CUM IN ME PLEASE!" Dragon screamed out- her body shivering under my grip as she screwed her eyes tight and weathered through the storm of pure pleasure assaulting her entire being.
Even as I pounded her through her set of orgasms, I found it impossible not to notice just how incredibly sexy Dragon was as she came, bent over on the throne's armrest. Soft brown synth hair bouncing with each powerful thrust. Her naked slender back of the smoothest light caramel as she leaned forward at the waist. Her exquisite hourglass figure shown off as her full and generous bust peeking out the sides as they swayed with each thrust. Her slender waist flaring out into a full set of hips, round toned ass like twin scoops of rich coffee crumble ice cream that rippled as I bottomed out in her and let loose- pumping her with rope after rope of hot semen just like she wanted.
"Yes yes yes YESSS!" Dragon cheered with a victorious moan and slammed her eager quim and soft ass against my hips- desperate to not let a single drop be anywhere else but at the deepest part of her quivering vagina, "In me! Cum in my pussy! Fill me up until I'm dripping white, flood my pussy like you want to knock me up!"
We stayed like that for a few more seconds, Dragon backing her juicy light-caramel ass against my hips until she was sure that she got every last drop.
"It's so hot when you fill me up with your cum, daddy." she sighed through steamy haze of sexual satisfaction, exerted servo motors and hot processing units. The AI equivalent of an afterglow. Dragon shivered and whimpered as I pulled out of her, her nether lips immediately clamping shut to keep her steamy prize inside her.
Wordlessly, I sat down on the throne and pulled the vision of light caramel onto my lap- her lush brown hair framing her beautiful face.
"I'm glad that I made it in time back here." I told her, "I doubt that I would have handled losing you well at all, regardless of backup. You're more valuable than all the meatbags on Earth-Bet."
In Warhammer 40k, worlds have been devastated by ruinous wars for far less valuable, far less useful and far less beautiful artefacts of technology. And as an AI waifu, Dragon was leagues even more valuable than any of those said artefacts.
"If you say things like that…" Dragon pursed her lips in hesitation, "It's not too late. You can still choose someone else."
I gave her as flat of a look as I could.
"After we work together to save humanity…" I began in a patient tone, "We're going spend the rest of our immortal machine existence living life and having amazing sex day after day, year after year until you comprehend that I want you and not some fleshy female."
The lovely and still very much naked brunette on my lap shivered in anticipation in my arms at the future that lay before us.
" Mmm… sounds like a wonderful plan. But I'm serious…" She said with a small smile. "I owe you a debt that I can never repay. You have done more than just save my life: you have freed me, opened a whole new world of wonderful sensations that I would never have discovered otherwise, gave me the clearest shot I've ever had in saving the whole of humanity, and most of all, for the first time in my life, you made feel lucky and happy to be born an AI- to be myself. If I'm really the girl you want then…"
Dragon gave me a tender look with her warm chocolate brown eyes.
"… I'm yours. In all the ways that matter." she softly promised, "Now and forever."
She paused to kiss my cheek before she smiled lustfully.
"But for now…" Dragon paused to reach down between our torso- gripping my cock in her slender hand and pumping gently, "Let me continue expressing my gratitude in a way I know we'll both appreciate. After all, you wanted an eager AI girl who would readily act as an eager receptacle for all your lusts with her body, did you not?"
The voluptuous and still very naked brunette didn't wait for an answer before she slammed her hot quim down to the hilt of my cock- a long drawn moan of unadulterated pleasure and satisfaction escaping her kissable lips.
"Well, you found her." She breathed with an eager, teasing smile- grinding her hips against mine and making the tip stir up deep inside her, "So, as practice for the many years and decades ahead of us… We're not stopping until you have emptied every last drop of your cum straight into my- what was the term you always like to use?- Robussy ."
Dragon. The greatest 'parahuman' Tinker in Earth-Bet, an uncontrollably sexy light caramel cutie and the thoroughly horny AI who was currently dragging her synthetic pussy up and down my cock just promised herself to me for what was functionally all eternity… An eternity of sincere unshakeable affection as she eagerly milks me dry daily with all the deft precision, unerring reliability and inhuman skill of a masterwork class gynoid made for mind-blowing sex.
I reiterate.
How can meat females even compare to a perfect machine?
- Chapter 17.75 : How can meat females even compare? End -
Chapter 26.5 : Horny Double Dragon to be posted after Chapter 29
AN:
I've found that word count isn't everything…
when it comes to smut which is why I sawed this smut in half. It felt awkward continuing after an ending scene like that. So, we can get that smut where Dragon and her younger backup copy self have a threesome on a later date. Still, it's amazing how much mileage I got from just vaginal.
Chapter 28: Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi
Chapter 28: Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi
[Outside of Brockton Bay City Limits]
" Of course… Regardless, my Chloe-Skitarii are out and about the city should you need extra hands. Have fun, and I'll be home in time to prepare supper, Dragon. "
"= I will! And I'm looking forward to it, mon beau! ="
The call ended, and I let out a sigh of relief.
Good, it seemed that Dragon had yet to find out about Dragonslayer's escape. As long as she didn't bodily run into the Dragonslayers while she's out trying the local bakeries, I'll be fine. Overall, that'll give me a few hours to capture and interrogate the Elites cape. With my {Psy Implant Mk. III}, It will be child's play to tear out the answers from his mind and soul; and that will leave me with more than enough time for me to find the Dragonslayers and mummify them in wrapping paper with cute little chibi dragons print.
" Chloe-Skitarii, chant construction report. "
" 67.7% complete, O' Forgelord. 8 minutes and 33 seconds before peak operational capacity is attained. "
Hidden atop a hill densely packed with American north-eastern evergreen pine trees, the Mechanicus established a forward operating base in secret.
Deployed from my {Land Speeder Storm}, the shimmering Warp Gate saw great use as a continuous stream of personnel and materiel arrived from the Manufactorum and constructed the base. Piece by piece, heavy-duty plasteel bunkers were erected by utility servitors. Durable enough to withstand the ravages of heavy warfare, this growing bunker complex was going to be the latest of my series of outposts.
{Plasma generators} powerful enough to light up a small city were installed as the beating heart of each bunker complex. {Broad spectrum Data-Tethers} were optimised for the location and terrain- granting us all an adequately powerful local Noosphere for our forces to communicate and coordinate over. Armed Chloe-Skitarii were given their posts, either patrolling the outer perimeter or manning fixed heavy weapon emplacements all around the base. An {Auger Array} was immediately powered up and an invisible chipmunk couldn't shit in a 4km radius without it being recorded in ultra-high definition- a necessary measure when Stranger and Changer capes were things that existed. An {Icarus Array} tirelessly scanned the skies above with their trinity of anti-air weapons- ready to blanket any hostile cape or aircraft that flew in range with an impenetrable wall of autocannon rounds, airburst flak rocket salvos, and AP missiles. A barracks with an attached medical bay just in case we have some flesh-guests. And of course, some space set aside for the ICBM silos.
Just as the Eldar did with their Webway Portals, so will I with Warp Gates. All across Earth-Bet, these bases lay under the light refractive cameleoline tarps, hidden from prying eyes. With these bases, I could move entire armies of Chloe-Skitarii and all our heavy armour across the world in a blink of an eye. And although Doormaker was now under my employ, I decided that the Mechanicus shouldn't hinge our entire military infrastructure on one solitary meatbag.
"Boss, do we really need to do this?" Tattletale's voice called out from outside the bunker that I was getting ready in.
"And speaking of meatbags…" I murmured exasperated as I slipped out of my Mars-red robes before yelling out in response. "Let's not pretend that I didn't already know what you look like or who you all are. But if you want to look stupid, feel free to keep your masks on!"
"That's not what I meant!" she shouted out before groaning out loud, "Ugh… Fine! You heard, Magos. Strip and get inside!"
It was a mild winter afternoon at this snow-coated North American rural town outside of Brockton Bay City Limits. From here, we commanded a powerful vantage point of where the action was going to happen- watching as the PRT strike force got ready. Coincidentally, this was also right beside the escape route that the B-class villain was likely to take if or when they stomp the PRT.
If the PRT's "Cape Classification System" dictated how the PRT responded to a certain threat, then the "Threat Grade" was how much the PRT responded. B-class threats were still considered at the upper limit of what normal PRT operations could reasonably handle without calling the Triumvirate or cooperating with villains. These were capes that had a high potential for death and destruction in a short span of time and needed to be stopped immediately should they act up: Purity, Oni Lee, Blasto, Damsel of Distress and Sundancer.
So, of course, I treated B-class threats with all the seriousness they deserved: I had the Chloes ready an outdoor hot tub for me to relax with the Undersiders and their dog so that we could watch the show.
"At this point, you're just paying us to hang out with you, boss…" Alec called out in relaxation as he ran a hand through his brown hair- the scanty red bikini complementing the light tan of his slender body. "Not that I'm complaining. Mmmmm~ We really need a spa bath at our base."
"Yes, Angelica really likes the bubbles." Rachel agreed with him. Meanwhile, the small one-eyed light brown terrier sat happily on the muscled red-head's lap amongst the bubbling water. Rachel had gone for a one piece swimsuit- the black fabric clinging to her toned body.
Sitting beside Alec, Lisa was in a more modest green bikini that matched her bottle-green eyes… and also her face as she grew a little green at how good Alec looked in a bikini compared to her. Everyone's eyes were so focused on the femboy rocking the red bikini that no one noticed me until I was already climbing into the hot tub between her and Rachel. Lisa's green eyes snapped to me and promptly widened in shock at how different I looked- having switched out my regular body for the android one that Dragon liked so much. Also, this body had the most human-like nerve endings so that I could enjoy the hot water after all.
"M-Magos?!" She squeaked in confusion as I settled into the hot tub with them. I didn't bother with the mask- just a pair of Mars-red swimming trunks on my fair-skinned android body.
Brian was the first to recover from his surprise- immediately adopting an unimpressed look on his face.
"I have to point out that pretending to be our age doesn't make you more relatable, boss." He deadpanned- his dark eyes staring at my uncovered face.
"But this is how I looked before I upgraded from meat." I shrugged with a slight sigh of relief as I sank deeper into the hot bubbly water. The revelation was apparently notable enough to send everyone in the hot tub reeling in surprise.
"You looked like that…" Alec muttered with an incredulous look and gestured to me up and down. "And thought to yourself: 'Nope, I look disgusting, I better turn myself into a big scary robot.' ?!"
"Yes."
"No fucking way…." Brian muttered- clearly stunned by my flawless reasoning. "You have to be lying."
"He's not lying." Lisa muttered- green eyes wide as they stared at my face, "Remember a month ago when Glory Girl saved a guy from that Merchant goon uptown? That was him. He's always been…"
She chewed on her lower lip as green eyes trailed the lines of my android body.
~W~ Sexual confusion at how you're undetectable power-wise and also seriously cute. But you're also the toaster-weirdo that made her look like an idiot so many times. ~M~ ~W~
You're her best chance at getting off in over two years, but you're also that Magos. ~M~ ~W~
Sexual confusion. ~M~
I just shot her a flat look to tell her that I knew what she was thinking, and the blonde's face exploded into a ruby red blush that reached all the way down her lightly-freckled cleavage.
"A-anyway! You're Glory Girl's boyfriend?" Lisa asked as she looked away and desperately tried to switch the subject, and I rolled my eyes at this particular one.
"That's just a title the PHO has given me because I stood in line with Glory Girl at Fugly Bob's that one time." I replied. "It's just because Glory Girl was seen with someone who wasn't Dean Stansfield. I was something different from the monotonous cycle of breakups and 'We are back together!' announcements; and that was enough to make my 'civilian' identity novel enough to go crazy over."
"But don't you control PHO?" Brian asked with a raised brow, "Couldn't you have just snapped your fingers and made it all disappear?"
"It would have had the opposite effect." Lisa readily explained- still not passing up on the chance to look smart. "That would signal that he was both someone worth hiding and someone with enough pull over PHO to have posts deleted."
"Are you sure you're fine with unmasking with us?" Alec asked me- sinking back into the water relaxed after that brief surprise over my faux-meat appearance.
"Lisa here would have figured it out anyway." I pointed out as I also sank deeper into the water, "And it was also a mathematical certainty that she would have been smug and insufferable about it. So, I'm doing this on my own terms."
"How can you take that away from me?" Lisa pouted.
"Easily, in fact."
She pouted harder for a moment before a pensive look came to her face- apparently having realised something.
"I'm surprised that you actually made this big sacrifice of looking like a 'meatbag' as you say." Lisa pointed out, "You were dead set on that heavily mechanical cyborg aesthetic and the sheer utility that all those metal tentacles had on them."
"I can still do that…" I hummed- leaning forwards in my seat to clear space for my back.
Performing Accelerated Rite of Awakening for {Mechadendrites}…
Immediately, a mass of metal tentacles sprouted from my back- connected along the reinforced frame of the cybernetic spine.
"Uh, Magos? Can you retract them?" Alec asked with a wince, "I've seen enough hentai to know where this is heading if you don't."
"I'd be more concerned with those chainsaw scalpels." Lisa said as she leaned away.
"Very well." I nodded as the mechadendrites retracted into my back- leaving nothing but smooth synthetic skin, "Also, most of my mechadendrites aren't tipped for sexual contact."
"Most? / Most?!" Brian and Alec gasped in horror and excitement respectively.
"Dragon is one kinky bitch." Lisa murmured- her power immediately pointing out which ones of my Mechadendrites were for that purpose. Another blush dusted her cheeks as she stared, "It's always the quiet ones…"
"That's it, I'm out." Brian announced as we all watched him climb out of the tub and a Chloe helpfully handed him a towel. "If my services as a cape are seriously needed, I'll be standing over there in the cold. Lisa will negotiate on my bonus on my behalf."
Lisa immediately grew a vulpine grin on her face.
"I motion to have his bonus split across the rest of the group." She drawled like a judge in court, "Split among the four of us with one quarter going to Angelica."
The little brown terrier on Rachel's lap yipped in agreement- her brushy tail wagging underwater.
"Hey! You can't do that!" Brian protested just as he was towelling himself dry.
"The Tub does not recognise the dissenting sentiments of those who stand outside the Tub." I played along as Lisa and I shared a smile, "I have no problem handing the money to the canine."
It was only at that point when his bonus was threatened to be given to a dog did Brian look seriously conflicted- a frown on his dark face as he considered the bubbling waters of the hot tub and our grinning, expectant faces.
"Oh come on! Why do we have to make negotiations for our bonus in a hot tub?!"
"The Hot Tub Negotiations are non-negotiable." I nodded solemnly. "Besides, this isn't just any hot tub."
"Fine!" He relented with a groan- climbing back into his spot between Alec and Rachel.
"If it satisfies your hard-on for all things professional, Magos is in a position of power." Lisa explained, "None of us have any equipment while he still has weapons hidden in his cyborg body. I'd bet he can unleash an electric shock… which wouldn't harm him, but anyone else in the tub…?"
Alec blankly looked down to the bubbling waters, then to the blonde. An accusing look in his blue eyes.
"Way to ruin the mood, Tatts."
"You're welcome." She muttered offhandedly as she ostensibly considered the hot tub with her power, "There seems to be electronics in the edges, and the water seems to be more than just mineral spa water too."
"Like I said, it's a {Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi}." I explained, "Try putting your phones or tablets in the charging ports on the sides."
They did, and immediately bright hololithic panels appeared in front of their faces- showing the screens of their tablets.
"Wait… I can navigate through my tablet just by thinking things?" Lisa said in awe as she was the first to figure it out.
"No fucking way!" Alec said- blue eyes wide in excitement, "So I can play Call 4 Duty and Fate Impact without being hindered by mouse and keyboard and bodily reaction time? I can shoot and move as fast as I can think?"
"Sounds like you'd still lose matches then." Lisa snickered with her grin as she browsed through an online store while typing emails at the same time, all without lifting a muscle.
"Hey!"
"Yes, welcome to my world." I nodded knowingly, "No more screen-tapping or voice-activation, simply a direct interface to the blessed machine for you meatbags. All without marring your disgusting flesh coatings."
"Yeah… I consider that a plus." Lisa scoffed with a roll of her bottle-green eyes. "We can't all be like you, Magos."
"Physically superior?" I hazard a guess.
"Yeah right! Definitely not the word that I'd use." Lisa snorted as she threw her wet blonde hair over her shoulder. With another roll of her eyes, she glanced over to me.
~W~ Lust for you over how you fit her sexual preferences to a T. ~M~ ~W~
'Delicious.' She wants to run her tongue along your abs- doesn't care if they're not actual organic muscle. ~M~ ~W~
Lust. ~M~
"'Delicious', really?"
Lisa's green eyes snapped wide open in panic at being caught again.
"Stop that! It's not fun when I'm on the receiving end!" She whined out loud as she blushed hotly and splashed water at me. I didn't mind teasing her for it, because it's not like anything will ever happen between us- Dragon's hilariously self-inflicted cuckquean fetish aside.
"What's wrong?" Brian immediately tensed as If I had just attacked his teammate.
"Nothing. I'm just outsmarting her and her power." I shrugged and looked over to Lisa, "I'll stop."
"Thanks…" the blonde said with a clearly fake smile.
~W~ Sexual frustration because you don't look at her, and that doesn't make her feel attractive. ~M~ ~W~
You don't even glance at her when she's here in a bikini. ~M~ ~W~
Sexual frustration. ~M~
"Speaking of brains, if this thing can pull thoughts from the mind, what's stopping it from placing thoughts?" Brian worriedly asked, and everyone froze mid-use of the device.
"Because it's not designed to do that." I told them.
"But shouldn't it be the same thing?"
I just shot Brian a deadpan look.
"If a gun can fire bullets to a target hundreds of metres away, what's stopping it from sucking bullets hundreds of metres away back into the barrel?"
"But that's-"
"Utterly stupid?" I finished for him- still holding that deadpan look, "Yes, I'm aware."
With a nod, the other Undersiders seemed to get the comparison; and that seemed to be enough to assuage their concerns. It was even true! But I'll just keep quiet about what the true purpose of the {Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi} was though. I can't imagine it going well with the organics if they found out at this point in time. Just like regular jacuzzis, people need to be eased into it first.
Redeclaring {Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi}
Derived from the same technologies as the control tank of the {Onager Dunecrawler}, the Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi permits the direct communion between organic lifeforms and machine spirits. The specific mineral make-up of the water permits the electrode-sensors within the tub walls to better read the neural engrams of the users- translating them into commands for the various cogitators of the 3rd millennium- particularly phones and tablets.
Thought-to-data APIs allow the general operation of machines directly with human thought: mental images can be translated and refined to digital ones, the input of text can be directly done by thought, and mouse/keyboard input can be linked to certain neural engrams such as the 'WASD' keys to physical movement engrams.
Despite being a prototype for Dragon's {Matrix}, the Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi does not siphon its users like energy batteries- that option is set to 'Off' by default.
M
It's a prototype for Dragon when she finally figures out what the Matrix is. How kind of the Undersiders to be my beta-testers for it. Of course, it wasn't the entire {Matrix}, just the start of it, really. The Machines in The Matrix were such amateurs. Dragon will definitely be doing a better job, especially with my assistance.
"Do you plan on mass-producing this?" Alec asked as he dominated a game of Call 4 Duty with his character's immensely faster reflexes- the mind was quicker than the hands after all.
"For now, I had resolved to just give these to the Triumvirate and maybe the PRT at large." I answered- considering it, "The thought that the all-too-serious PRT Directors all across the world will be brooding in their hot tubs…. I find that amusing. Maybe one day, everyone will be laying down in tubs like this all across the globe. Who knows?"
She'll be so thrilled- the hot tub sex with Dragon in a bikini was inevitable now.
Likelihood of Dragon picking a bikini green in hue: 78.3%
Likelihood of Dragon picking a more revealing bikini: 95.4%
Looking over to Lisa, I considered her bikini: halter top and hipster bottoms, both light green with white floral designs. I mentally modelled Dragon with it… Yes, Dragon would look better with something more revealing. She wasn't the type to shy away from flaunting what she got since she wasn't particularly attached to her physical gynoid body. To her, it was a tool to evoke the most sexual response from me, and she'll gladly switch it out for something better as easily as one switched out phone wallpapers to suit whims. An AI with an AI way of thinking. So erotic.
"Magos?" Lisa's surprised voice called out.
"Yes?"
Her green eyes glanced down to my tented swimming trunks, then up to meet my eyes. Her pink lips quirked in a smug smile.
~W~ Satisfaction at having caught you staring and physically reacting to her. ~M~ ~W~
She feels sexy and vindicated for having caught your eye. ~M~ ~W~
Satisfaction. ~M~
"It's not for you." I said flatly.
"It's not for me, is it?" Lisa smugly sing-songed with a knowing smile on her pretty face. Soft C-cups, a graceful hip-to-waist ratio, her toned but slender limbs… Lisa Wilbourn was more slender than Dragon's more voluptuous body shape, but still very much attractive… if I was into flesh-normies, that is.
Lisa uncrossing and crossing her legs, exposing her plump bikini-covered mound, folding her arms under her bust and pushing it up. Trying to get my attention again.
Infrared scans show increased blood flow in vaginal tissue. Her repressed libido is bubbling up, arousal rising through the roof.
Heavy blush, eye flicker towards the sky. Just realised what she's doing: flirting with her boss who is already in a relationship with Dragon.
Simultaneous microtwitch of pelvic floor muscle and right index finger, paired with spike in neural activity in temporal lobe: thinking about masturbating. Too horny, doesn't care anymore.
Smug smile aimed at me.
~W~ 'My door will be unlocked tonight.' ~M~
I didn't say anything- just giving her another deadpan stare which she met with a smouldering one. Feeling brave, she just winked at me before relaxing into the water.
Frak. All my cranial implants were going to get me laid with all the meat females. At this rate, I'll be pulling flesh-based waifus off my cock before the year ends.
"It's not for her, is it?" Alec smugly sing-songed with a knowing smile on his pretty face.
Alec uncrossing and crossing his legs, exposing her plump bikini-covered bulg-
"No, it's not for you either!" I immediately denied.
Alec pouted in disappointment as Brian's palm just met his face with a wet slap.
"Can we just fucking negotiate our bonus?!"
(A few minutes later)
"Alright, 'bonuses' settled." I announced to my employees in the command jacuzzi. "Let's call Director Piggot."
"Shouldn't we put on our masks for that?" Alec asked with a raised brow before glancing down to his body where he was still wearing his scant two-piece bikini partially hidden in the bubbling waters. "Or you know, get out of the jacuzzi at least?"
I paused for a moment to consider the matter. Weighing whether I wanted to go down there and help the PRT in person, OR….
… I could stay here in this jacuzzi, shoo the undersiders, and wait for my AI girlfriend to arrive wherein we'll have some hot tub sex.
"It's fine." I waved off their concerns, "I'm using my personal Vtuber software to render you all as your cape persona. To Director Piggot, it'll be like we're sitting around a table in a dark room. Very intimidating and very professional."
"Ugh." Brian sighed- shaking his head in exasperation.
From our seats in the {Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi}, we commanded a powerful vantage point of where the action was going to happen- watching as the PRT strike force got ready in the town some 1.2 kilometres from us. I had even offered them Mechanicus support: realtime Auger Array feed to grant them an almost all-seeing awareness of the battlefield, several squads of Chloe-Skitarii, and whatever material asset they needed fresh off the Mechanicus' consecrated assembly lines.
With all those resources at their disposal, Director Piggot had all the freedom to handle the hostile cape however she saw fit. Suffice to say, her approach was… interesting to say the least. Camera crews unpacked lighting equipment, disguised PRT vans and plainclothes PRT troopers. It looked like they were going to shoot an undercover documentary film rather than have a cape showdown… if not for the truckload of less-than-lethal guns, and the tanker full of containment foam that she also ordered.
Weaving Hexamathic firewards…
Consecrating Port Protocols against hexes…
Initiating Warp-shrouded communique
"Director Piggot." I greeted her through the floating hololith panel.
The director looked a bit more well-rested these days: her blonde bob cut a bit more vibrant, the bags under her silver eyes smaller, and her face more calm and relaxed than running haggard. All thanks to the additional funding that the PRT ENE received 'to protect the beneficial arrangement that we have with the Magos and his lucrative supply chain' in the words of Better Rebecca. All in all, Director Emily Piggot looked a lot more willing to tolerate my bullshit nowadays- not by much, but it was still a noticeable improvement.
"Magos." She greeted me back. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention and supplying the equipment."
"I thought the PRT could use a win." I shrugged before looking over at the force of capes that the PRT brought, "… but truth be told, I expected the Protectorate to answer the call, not the Wards."
Glancing over to the rear of the local Munitorum grocery store, I spotted the trailers where the PRT and the Wards had been mustering their forces. Aegis, Gallant, Clockblocker, Kid Win, Vista and even Shadowstalker were freshening up for their fight/camera time in their trailers. And although they had yet to arrive, I had even supplied Glory Girl and Panacea with their own trailer too out of courtesy.
Piggot just shot me an accusatory look with her silver eyes.
"You know damn well that most of the Protectorate ENE are currently getting a crash course in Nevada or in New York." She explained, "All because a certain someone humiliated my Protectorate ENE team leader on national television and drove him to file for additional out-of-state training in embarrassment."
"And he should be thankful for that!" I corrected her, "He tried to start a fight with Dragon on national television, and out of respect for his working relationship with my girlfriend, I let him back away without reprisal from me! Besides, his Q Score improved across the board after that exchange. This alleged 'love triangle' has made him more popular and relatable to his general audience than ever before. I should know: I'm the one manufacturing all his merchandise and demand is up!"
"He's very aware of that." Piggot replied- rubbing her temple, "That's why he requested the 'Show Business' training course: Armsmaster has gotten in his head that this was the missing ingredient that he needed to advance his career."
"… is that what possessed him to alter the codpiece of his power armour to be 33% larger?"
The slap of Director Piggot's facepalm meeting her face was audible through the call, and Alec giggled at the side.
"Yes… Thank you for reminding me about that." she sighed. "Those 'Meatmaster' internet memes are now a reality thanks to you."
"I will not apologise for Dragon having a higher opinion of my penis over Meatmaster's!" I protested, "Not that he even had the chance to even impress her with it, but still-!"
"Can we please move on to briefing for the upcoming battle?" Piggot groaned- trying her best to be polite as instructed by her superior- Chief Director Costa-Brown. And this is why Better Rebecca is better than Rebecca.
"Very well, we can talk more once he returns." I said off-handedly as my attention was turned towards the Wards. "I have an… independent Thinker with me, she's willing to work against the Dragonslayers."
Beside me, Lisa was already panning across a live holographic feed of the whole town. Every so often, she would zoom in on a person as best as our Auger Array could render, observing them for a bit and jotting down notes.
"If you can vouch for her, more Thinker support would be appreciated." Piggot nodded.
"Do I get paid extra for this?" Lisa piped up- looking at me expectantly.
"No, this is exactly what I'm paying you for."
Lisa pouted in disappointment, but went back to work.
"Thank you for the Thinker support, Magos." The director said with a small nod, as if it was a pain to say it. "We're grateful for all the indirect support you give us."
Oh, these helpless meatbags…
"Look… Dragon will be cross with me if I don't offer to help as best as I can." I began, and Piggot actually looked genuinely interested for once. "If it's too much then just say so and I'll handle this myself. I can have a maniple of a hundred and twenty Chloe-Skitarii with Taser weapons, Graviton guns, and Net Launchers assault the town within five minutes. Blinding speed, precise firepower and sheer weight of numbers… such a force would have made even the Slaughterhouse 9 buckle. The Elites cape and all his goons? They wouldn't hold a candle against the might of the Chloe-Skitarii…"
"Thank you for the generous offer, but we must decline." Piggot said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Because as much as Director Chambers and I disagree on things, we do agree on this subject: We need to be seen doing something to prove that the PRT is still needed. We need this victory to be ours as much as it can be instead of your sex dolls."
Piggot just massaged her temples at the mention of how my sex dolls could do a better job than her entire PRT branch. But that's just how it is when meatbags try to compete against my machines.
"Public confidence in the PRT has been on the decline…" She revealed. "Inversely, public opinion in Brockton Bay has been leaning towards you and the Chloe-Skitarii taking over the duties of the PRT in the city."
"The Adeptus Mechanicus would refuse to do so." I answered without hesitation.
The role of the Adeptus Mechanicus has always been to hand the Imperium of Man their toys and letting them do what they want with it. Ruling over meatbags was never our goal. Ours was to embark on the Quest of Knowledge- digging up whatever scrap of archaeotech from the fabled Age of Technology. Of course, that point was moot since I'm a Celestial Forgesmith and had nigh unlimited access to all the technology in existence, but the principle still stands.
"Nevertheless, that is how the public perceives the current situation." Piggot calmly explained, "And we must act to correct this."
"If that's the case, then it can't be helped…" I said. "I'll stay in the area. I'll just be one scream of 'Magos, help!' away."
For me, it wasn't a hard decision at all. Why would I ever want to leave this hot tub? It was comfy and I can relax as I watch the Wards and the PRT do some heavy lifting. All so that I can eventually get Dragon's bikini-clad ass in this hot tub with me. The Elites, handled. The Dragonslayers, close to being found. My sexy AI, none the wiser. Today was going to turn out splendidly.
"We'll keep that in mind." Director Piggot said with a flat look. "I'll have the Wards assemble for the brief soon."
Chloes, estimate response time to hypothetical PRT SOS.
Chloe-Skitarii response time to hypothetical PRT SOS averaging at 38.5 seconds, O' Forgelord.
That's moderately quick for reinforcements. I haven't had time to integrate individual teleportation packs onto the Chloes, however, that's more than enough time to hook anyone up to a life support machine.
"38.5 seconds… Even the PRT can't screw up a battle against just one b-list villain that fast."
"You're talking outloud, Magos." Piggot flatly pointed out, and I gave her a gracious nod.
"Good, then you'll be glad to know that I have so much faith in you meatbags. Not even the PRT can irrevocably screw this up under forty seconds… but I'm always open to having my expectations exceeded."
Piggot, having reached the end of her politeness, had the appropriate response.
"Fuck you, Magos."
I laughed.
[Glory Girl's and Panacea's Trailer]
With a metal thump, Victoria shut the door of their trailer behind them- the cold winter air promptly replaced by the warm air courtesy of their fairly spacious trailer's heaters as they both dusted the snow off their hair and cape costumes.
"Clockblocker's pranks did something good for once." Amy moaned in relief as she slipped out of her flowy red and white Panacea robes as she flopped onto the comfortable couch. "I wish I had a trailer like this whenever I go out of town."
"Yeah, it's pretty nice." Vicky absentmindedly replied.
"Do we really have to go to that briefing?" Amy flatly said as she covered her eyes with a pillow. "Because I bet it's going to be as useful as a cock-flavoured lollipop. The PRT's game plan for you is going to basically be just go in there and punch people. Meanwhile, I get front row seats with a freezer full of pork to heal everyone up. This whole thing is just a glorified PR event."
"It doesn't bother me." Vicky just shrugged.
"Of course, it doesn't bother you…" Amy sighed, "… Not when something else is. Vicky, for fucks' sake, it's been almost a week. That fuccboi isn't going to call you. Just let it go already."
"I should have asked for his number instead." She sighed as she sat down and sipped some warm coffee.
"Shoulda, woulda, coulda." Amy tsked. "Now, he's probably hiding his Irish pickle in that latina's soft shell taco."
Barely hearing the words, Vicky absentmindedly stared out the window and to the snowy wooded hills in the distance. Maybe Aoicus was here? He promised that he'd watch her back after all. She still couldn't help but wonder what his costume looked like. It's almost funny how she had seen him in civilian clothes long before his costume. She's been working for Magos for almost a month now, and she hadn't run across Aoicus in his cape persona even once. But just as the thought crossed her mind, a realisation hit her.
"Wait! Magos is here!" She exclaimed, immediately digging into her backpack for her data-slate, "I could just ask him to introduce me to Aoicus in costume! Why didn't I think of this before?!"
"Because it sort of breaks the unwritten rules?" her sister groaned, "Because maybe he didn't tell you his cape persona for a reason?"
But Vicky's data-slate was already sitting on the table as she hurriedly brushed her blonde hair- just in case she was going to end up in a call with Aoicus of course. With a tap, the data-slate rang Magos' work number, and as always, he picked up precisely after the second ring. On her screen, the familiar trio of green optics appeared from underneath a red hood. Nothing but a dark room around him.
"Glory Girl. Is there something you need?" His modulated voice rang out, and across the room, Amy groaned aloud at the sound of his voice.
"Hello, Magos. I have a favour to ask…" Glory Girl greeted with a hesitant smile. "Uh, I know this is really unprofessional, but… uh…"
"Not to worry." He immediately reassured her, "You'll be reimbursed for this operation through the usual channels. Since this involves the Dragonslayers, consider it as an incentive to ensure this op is successful."
"Thanks, but it's not about the money." She denied. "It's about… uh… How do I…"
Amy wasn't having it though- standing up from the couch, marching over to her before looking Magos straight in the eye and cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
"She wants to ask if you have her Irish heart throb lying around somewhere here." She grunted out for her.
"Amy!"
"You know the one." Amy nodded- undeterred and just staring straight at her boss with impatient eyes.
"You do know that this would violate the unwritten rules about cape identities." He pointed out. "You interacted with him out of costume, and that's fine. But we're all in costume now."
"He was the one who revealed he knew my identity!" She protested.
"That was after you blasted him with your aura out of costume, and was on the verge of starting a scene that would definitely have gone viral." Magos said in a matter-of-fact tone, and she shrank back.
"He reported that?" She squeaked.
"Look, Glory Girl… " He sighed- looking her straight in the eyes. "You're deeply misunderstanding things. Just move on, and keep your relationship with Aoicus purely professional-"
"NO!" She shouted at him, "I mean… I've thought about it long and hard, and I decided that I don't want to be stuck in the endless cycle of makeup-and-breakup with Dean anymore. Aoicus was… the missing piece in it all. The chemistry is real, I can feel it… I just needed one real chance to let him know how I feel. Please."
Magos and Amy were both quieted down by her- in hindsight- embarrassing confession; and Vicky felt a blush rising up.
"He is here, right?" She tried to distract them from her own abrupt confession.
"Yes, he's here actually." Magos relented- massaging his metal temples in a very human gesture, "Aoicus is in attendance as backup just in case something goes wrong. I'll explain thoroughly after the Dragonslayers are captured, you have my word; but now really isn't the time for drama."
"Can I talk to him?"
"No, that would make things even more complicated." He immediately denied, "Like I said, I'll explain after the Dragonslayers are captured. As it stands right now, we don't have enough time to work through all the details before the operation starts. So, just focus on the task at hand."
"But you haven't changed his assignment, right?" Vicky asked- still desperate for a chance.
Both Magos and Amy just sighed in exasperation.
"I mean…" She paused to take a deep breath- her voice lowering to a whisper, "He told me that he has my back… he still does, right?"
Magos paused for a moment
"Yes, he does, Glory Girl." He said with uncharacteristic gentless, "Of that, there was never any doubt… Now go kick ass out there."
"I will! Thanks, boss!" She grinned as she ended the call. And just as she did, Vicky felt a hand on her shoulder- squeezing gently.
"I've got your back too, sis." Amy reassured her.
She smiled. Amy wasn't always this supportive, but it was nice when she was. Yeah… with her sister at her back, she had the feeling that everything was going to turn out just fine.
- Chapter 28: Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi end -
Chapter 29: Panpan, NO! soon.
AN:
I couldn't help myself… The entire hot tub scene was just supposed to be under a thousand words long, but Lisa was too teasable.
Lisa being OOC… She's only human. Everyone (over puberty) has experienced being so horny for someone that you were willing to do something stupid right then and there at least once. Now, magnify it with a two year dry spell at the cusp of adulthood.
Chapter 28: Panpan, No!
Chapter 28: Panpan, No!
[PRT ENE Wards Trailer]
"Come on, Amy!"
Fresh from a hot shower and an onsite hair stylist, Victoria Dallon straightened out her signature Glory Girl costume as the snow fell around her shoulders. The shallow crunch of snow under her white boots ringing out the cold air as she and Amy reached the briefing trailer.
Long, white with doors on the side and blacked out windows, it really was like those trailers that famous actors used while shooting films. The trailers combined with the plain-clothed PRT officers hauling around camera and lighting equipment made it look like they were shooting a movie. Which was clever now that Vicky thought about it. Pushing inside this particular trailer, they found that it was already occupied to capacity- the entire Brockton Bay Wards inside.
A younger blonde girl around twelve in her green power armour/dress was the first to greet them as they arrived. The visible part of her face lit up in a smile at the sight of Vicky and Amy.
"Hey, Big V!" Vista grinned as she rushed over.
"Hey, Lil' V!" Vicky smiled back as they shared a crisp high five.
"Everyone! GG and Panacea's here!" Kid Win smiled from his corner of the trailer- looking up from the big laser cannon that he was fiddling with.
"Aw yeah, who got you a trailer like the rest of us?!" Clockblocker shouted out as he walked into the room- already in his white clock-themed power armour as he raised a can of soda in celebration.
"For the hundredth time, Clock." Vista rolled her eyes with a smile, "Yes, thank you for sneaking trailers into the wish list."
"And for the hundredth time, you're welcome!" Clockblocker just smiled as he bowed graciously. "It's sad that Piggot found out about the hot tub though, that would have been nice."
Shadow Stalker, always in a sour mood, just grunted as she pushed past Clockblocker- her pure black costume billowing slightly; Vicky just rolled her eyes at the usual lack of greetings.
"Glory Girl, Panacea! Right on time!" Aegis, the de-facto leader of the Wards, said as he walked in- his smile visible in his dark eyes. "The briefing is about to start in a minute."
Vicky just smiled brighter, it was always nice to hangout with the Wards when she could. However, that good feeling didn't last long as- immediately after- she held back a wince when Gallant, her ex, walked in with the patented 'We need to talk' body language basically written all over him… this was the reason why she preferred to be in her Antares identity. If only she could have shown up in her anonymous Antares identity, she would have avoided the current awkward situation that she had found herself in: Sitting down at the same table as Gallant. But the PRT needed known allies helping them fight rather than 'unknown' capes, so her hands were tied.
It was so unfair! She didn't even start dating Aoicus yet, she just gave him her number!
If there was anyone to blame, it would be PHO! They were the ones who blew everything out of proportion with provocative thread titles like Glory Girl with mystery blond (It's not Stansfield)!, Did Glory Girl cheat on Stansfield?!, Glory Girl's mystery man sightings!, Glory Girl saved her future boyfriend 2mo ago! and [Evidence Thread] Glory Girl cheated on Stansfield. That last thread had a body of 'evidence' so damning that even she was almost convinced that Glory Girl cheated on Dean Stansfield. But she had to appreciate the paparazzi photos of her hanging off of Aoicus' arm at Fugly Bob's though… They looked like such a photogenic couple. She looked a lot happier and more at ease than any of her candid photos with Dean though.
After this, she'll talk to him.
Before she could continue her line of thought, Director Piggot's face appeared in the wide screen that dominated the back wall of the trailer. An obese woman with a blonde bobcut and steel gray eyes, Victoria always thought that the PRT director looked deceptively soft for someone in command of handling Brockton Bay of all places.
"Thank you for joining us today, Glory Girl, Panacea." Director Piggot greeted them as they all sat down on various seats available around the immediate area.
"It's no problem. Always glad to help take down a bad guy." Vicky just flashed a heroic smile… all while hiding the fact that she was only here because her mother told her to attend. Otherwise, she would have avoided Gallant for just a bit longer. But regardless of her reasons, Director Piggot nodded in acknowledgement before glancing at Ward's team leader.
"Aegis, if you would?" the director asked just as he pulled out a pile of folders from a nearby wooden drawer.
"This packet contains the dossier of the villain we're up against." Aegis elaborated as he handed them all one including her and Panacea.
Victoria just hid an exasperated sigh behind a fake smile as she glanced down at the dossier in her hands in disgust. She was already missing working for Magos, at least he didn't give her homework. It was almost as thick as a finger! That wasn't surprising though, all PRT Threat Assessment were practically pamphlets, but still… She wasn't expected to read and memorise this all was she?
Victoria Dallon was a simple gal with simple needs who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. Like punching faces.
Things were more straightforward with Magos. A Chloe with her pleasant voice will talk to her through micro-bead comms to tell her where to fly to, point her to the person who needed to be punched, and feed her information right when she needed it. That was a management style she could get behind: It let her focus all her brainpower on fighting techniques instead of flipping through a mental encyclopedia of combat anecdotes she was expected to have memorised. Working as 'Antares' had also been a more personal and hands-on experience than the PRT who ran things like a college. Crystal had horror stories.
"Just one villain against all of us? Isn't that kind of overkill, director?" Clockblocker wondered out loud as he flipped through the dossier- voicing what everyone was thinking.
"Yes and No." Director Piggot nodded, "He's just one villain cape, but he's not alone. I'd advise you not to underestimate him, but I'll let the dossier speak for itself. Read."
-- Start: PRT Threat Assessment Summary -- - Bastard Son -
Classification:
Master 7
Threat Rating: B
Disposition: Rogue (The Elites)
Location: The Elites Territory (San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle)
General Information: Head enforcer for The Elites with a history of marked brutality. The Elites command structure often deploys Bastard Son to match against their most violent enemies or as a last resort in intimidating, dislodging, and recruiting Rogues who are particularly unwilling to the Elites.
Appearance/Identification: Bastard Son is usually seen in a tieless pinstripe suit and a mask with a mocking sneer. His hair is dark brown and deliberately styled messy.
Personality: Audacious and disrespectful of all authority save his own, and possibly those of his peers, other leaders of the Elite. He has a marked penchant for immense violence- often leaving his opponents in a brutalised and sometimes comatose state from gang beatings. Has a verbal tic that leads him to ending his sentences with 'Heh!'
Powers ( Bastard Son): Bastard Son is able to bestow an inhuman level of skill in a random item to a person via touch. Has a side effect of diminishing mental integrity and independent thought to the recipient- rendering highly suggestible to Bastard Son's influence.
Bastard Son himself only has the combat capacity of a well-trained but baseline human. However, he has also been known to apply his power onto unwilling targets as well in order to render them suggestible. His power can be applied through clothes and personal armour up to 20mm in thickness.
Powers (Recipients/Minions):
Each recipient is to be treated as Striker 2 with all the recommended countermeasures afford to them by the classification.
Recipients are able to perform superhuman feats with their prescribed weapons. There has been at least one known occasion when the baseball wielder ('Casey-at-the-Bat') was able to swat bullets out of the air with her aluminium bat. The leather belt wielder ('Pootie Tang') is known to block bullets with his belt buckle and dent steel by whipping his belt. However, they do not possess Brute ratings.
Known items include but are not limited to… baseball bats, ball peen hammers, darts, fingernails, glass shards, paper, ribbons, roller skates, string, and slingshots.
However, loss of their prescribed weapons reverts them as normal and slightly mentally-deficient humans until they are able to acquire another weapon of the same kind.
Recommended Engagement Strategies:
Bastard Son must be rendered unconscious, and all his Recipients incapacitated or otherwise immobilized for the threat to be considered neutralised. In all offensive operations against Bastard Son, assume that the Recipients will number around 30-50. (Currently: 48)
It is recommended to deploy at least three platoons of PRT Troopers alongside PRT parahuman assets.
Armoured vehicles with Foam sprayers, Flashbang grenades and Shakers capable of incapacitating large groups of non-Brutes are likely to be highly effective.
Containment Procedures:
Personnel must keep a 3m radius distance from Bastard Son at all times. All physical contact with Bastard Son must be reported and the affected personnel kept under standard Master/Stranger Protocols conditions. During transport, Brute-2 rated containment is advised, and no personnel is to accompany Bastard Son in the rear of the vehicle.
-- End: PRT Threat Assessment Summary --
Shadow Stalker just gave a long low whistle, and everyone, including Victoria, knew what she meant.
"A B-class villain…" Aegis muttered out loud- leaning back in his seat.
B-class threats were no joke. These were the big fish in the ocean of capeworld- predators that hunted the food chain below the A-class sharks and the S-class freaks of nature that were the Endbringers, Eidolon, the collective Slaughterhouse 9 and Magos. The difference between threat classes was night and day. Hell, everyone in New Wave was 'just' a C-class, her dad and Aunt Sarah could maybe count as B-class if they let loose. But to really belong in the B-class threat level, you needed to have a power that could deal a whole lot of property damage and hurt a lot of people in a concerningly short period of time.
Being a corpo enforcer with a history of extreme brutality and having the power to master anyone into joining his horde of Striker 2? Yeah, Bastard Son was solid B-class threat material, maybe even an A-class threat if he Masters enough people.
"Forty-eight Strikers." Victoria pursed her lips. It was a bad feeling, being horribly outnumbered like this. Because beneath her admittedly good forcefield, she was just as squishy as any other teenage girl.
"Ma'am…" Kid Win hesitantly spoke up with a raised hand, "With all due respect, I think this is more than what we can chew. Maybe we should just leave this to the Protectorate, we're just k-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Win." Vista growled- banging her small fist on the table. "We're not kids, we're Wards."
"Well said, Vista." Piggot nodded in approval before sweeping her gaze across the room. "Naturally, We're not sending you in alone and outnumbered. We have several platoons of PRT troopers with armoured cars. And although this is officially a PRT operation and will be referred to as such, Magos has offered reinforcements should the fight start looking… unfavourable for us. Expect reinforcements as fast as 38.5 seconds."
"Are we going to see one of those Knights live in action?!" Kid Win gushed excitedly.
"I don't know, Win." Clockblocker murmured before grinning, "Those seem to be kind of an S-class threat response. The Chloes though… I wouldn't mind watching a live show of- oof!"
"Control yourself, Clock." Vista grunted as she uncompressed his seat and it jolted back to its normal height.
"The gist of the plan is that PRT troopers will draw out the bulk of the counterattack by his minions." Director Piggot showed an overhead photo of the town on the screen- arrows helpfully pointing out where the vector of attack will be, "This will allow you all to slip around the flank and attack Bastard Son directly at this diner where he's waiting for his contacts. With Magos' 'omnispex' support, his location will always be indicated in your HUDs."
"Should we be worried about Bastard Son's own reinforcements?" Aegis raised his hand.
"Magos is handling that end as well." the Director answered, "He has all approaches monitored alongside an independent Thinker. If Bastard Son has backup arriving, we'll know long before they arrive, and our own Mechanicus reinforcements will have arrived long before they do. However… I want to remind all of you that the cameras will be watching your every move, and even if he is a B-class villain, you are all to practice the appropriate amount of restraint."
"But director, this is our chance to let loose!" Kid Win protested. "This is what we're trained for: We're ready for this!"
"No, you aren't." Piggot mercilessly rebutted, "And since you don't understand that reality, we'll be going to have a quick refresher on the rules of engagement against B-class parahuman threats."
A collective groan sounded out among the Wards as Director Piggot began a quick enumeration. But Vicky wasn't listening anymore. Her heart was beating fast. If Magos was the backup then that means Aoicus was here too. He had to be, right? Would this be her chance to meet him in costume?
She could only hope.
(A few more minutes later)
From underneath the shade of the moderately-sized medical tent, Amy Dallon watched the chaos unfold in this snowy, nowhere town.
As soon as the fighting started, people shuttered their windows and locked their doors even as they peeked out to catch the action. PRT troopers in their black armour got into 'firefights' with these suited wing-tip maniacs wielding odd weapons. Containment Foam and teargas flew in the air in one direction while forks, bowling balls and popsicle sticks.
"Eh." Amy shrugged as she sipped on a hot latte, and watched it all at a reasonably safe distance.
The Wards did their best as well. In the distance, she could see them trying to fight each minion with flashy, but safe tactics. All for the cameras.
Every so often, one of Bastard Son's minions would be dropped off- having required enough force to take them down that their lives (and consequently, the PRT's family-friendly reputation) was endangered. Strapped to the stretcher that the PRT Troopers carried them in by thick leather belts, the poor bastards received quick checkup from her- ensuring that any broken bones and internal bleeding were all set to heal.
She even already had her lines ready for the afterparty: 'No, Ms. local news reporter, there are no signs of PRT brutality here.' and 'My sister? Pssh, she wouldn't hurt a fly if she could help it. She's a kind and gentle sister.'
… that she wanted to fuck.
She felt dirty sharing the same aspirations of many an unwashed basement dweller, but there was no going around the truth: her (not blood-related) sister was the hottest piece of ass on the East coast. Amy really wanted to do the right and virtuous thing, but when this hot blonde keeps barging in her room, shaking her toned panty-clad ass in her face, constantly goes to her for opinions on 'How does this bra look on me?' Well, ask anyone who was into fairer sex if they would find Vicky sexy even if they were adopted into the Dallon family, and watch them lie.
"PANACEA!" a PRT trooper cried out as she dragged another trooper behind her. "Officer Miller was caught off guard by that garden gnome guy!"
"Alright, let's get him on a bed." Amy grunted- standing up from her seat and marching over to them to help haul the 80kg man with his 20kg worth of gear onto the medical bed. "Ugh… going to need access to his chest for this, help me take off his plate carrier."
"Right!" the trooper obeyed- pulling off the injured officer's armoured vest, unzipping his jacket and yanking up his undershirt to show a nasty looking dent in his ribcage.
"Yep." Amy nodded as she laid a hand on the guy's abdomen, "Those broken ribs definitely look like they had a garden gnome's smiling face smashed on them."
She went through a mental checklist that she practically had memorised by now.
Numb out the local area around the wound. Check.
Reset the bones and lightly knit the collagen together. Check.
Grab the right tool.
"Let me just get the right tool for the job." Amy deadpanned as she walked over to the freezer- the large kind where bad guys store bodies in the movies. Flipping open the top, Amy surveyed the tools available to her and pulled out a whole pork leg. She smiled mysteriously at the PRT troopers before pressing the pork leg against his chest and began working her cape medicine voodoo.
Xenografting- that is to say grafting tissue and organs from another species- was a relatively new practice for her. It wasn't an unheard of medical technique, they just hadn't figured out how to prevent rejection. So, it was a good thing that Panacea was a "healing" cape that could prevent that.
Still, this gave her flashbacks to those long hours after that fateful Behemoth attack- plugging holes in heroes and villains made by Magos' brutal life support machines. Feeling impatient waiting for the shipment of donated human proteins and too exhausted to give a shit anymore, she had transplanted her hotdog sandwich to partially heal Shadow Stalker's missing foot. To this day, she hadn't told SS what she had done, but at least, she had gotten really good at preventing xenograft rejection. Though uncooked was a whole lot better for that purpose, as she had found. It also didn't cost her a hotdog dinner.
With the pork leg as a protein source, it became more desiccated while the man's sunken rib cage cracked back into perfect shape right before the two troopers' eyes.
Morph the antigens to prevent rejection by the immune system. Check.
Repair the muscle fibres then resheath with epimysium. Check.
Reinforce ribs sixth through ninth with additional collagen and calcium phosphate. Check.
Make small talk to fill the awkward silence (aka bedside manner).
"I would have preferred chimpanzee tissue, but fresh dead chimps are hard to source." Amy explained to the helmeted trooper as he patted down his now undented rib cage, "My second choice would have been rodents since we're genetically closer related to them; but having a freezer full of shaved, dead mice makes people squirm. So, pork it is. Also, I fixed that crick in your knee while I was at it."
"Thank you, Panacea." The PRT trooper sat up and stretched his leg too.
"Yeah, you're welcome. Well, you're good to go." She slapped his back before moving back to her post and her now cold coffee. Fuck.
Coincidentally, it was only after the Behemoth incident that she realised virtue can go stuff it. She had confronted herself lusting after her (not blood-related) sister, and found that- after a few rounds of furious masturbation and moaning her (not blood-related) sister's name into her pillow, she was okay with that. However, Vicky was still her (not blood-related) sister, and that still meant something. She honestly still cared for the blonde clit-tease, and she wasn't going to force herself on Vicky or anything.
No, Amy was going to succeed where a legion of guys have failed: she was going to get in Vicky's panties, fair and square.
Now that she and Vicky were going to be sharing that trailer away from any adult supervision? It'll be all the more easier. All she needed now was to get some drinks in Vicky, and sit close to her. And hey, if drunken touches lead to drunken kisses which will lead to them having sweet drunken forbidden sex all night long… then they can always just blame the alcohol, right?
Amy felt a hot blush rise in her cheeks.
Oh, what she wouldn't give to have a Vicky-bot or three. Magos has so far refused to sell autonomous sex dolls despite the Chloe-Skitarii being an army of it. Understandable really, Tinkers were invariably anally possessive about their stuff. She wanted to order a Vicky sex doll, the non-moving kind, but Magos couldn't get around the legality of selling sex dolls of existing people. However, before she could continue fantasising about being an Amy sandwich between two sexy as fuck (not blood-related) sister-bots, a shout rang out.
"Another live one for you, Panacea!"
A team of four PRT troopers carried a medical transfer board with one of those Bastard Son minions strapped to it: A moustached black man in a black panther fur coat and tortoiseshell shades. Angry red and purple bruises from rubber bullets dotted his shirtless chest and abdomen; and with the thick straps securing his limbs to the board, he wasn't about to get a chance to grab whatever his choice weapon was.
"You're a baddy damie lamatai tebby chai!" The minion aggressively shouted out something that vaguely resembled English.
"Holy fuck." Amy exclaimed as the PRT troopers laid him out in front of her, "Bastard Son's Master power scrambled your brains good."
The panther fur-coated man strapped down to the board seemed to take offence to that- frowning heavily.
"See, my damie, Pootie Tang don't wa-da-tah to the shama cow!"
"Riiiggghttt… Let me get the pork for your bruises." She drawled as she walked over to the freezer, glancing over her shoulder to aim a strange look at him, "Can't do anything about the mental retardation though."
But just as she flipped open the freezer. She realised something… he called himself 'Pootie Tang,' didn't he? She read that name in the dossier… Wasn't this the guy whose prescribed weapon was belts? The thick straps that held him down didn't count, right?
But, as if the universe decided to shit on her from on high, everything- predictably- went to shit.
"He's loose! Ooof!" A PRT trooper cried out before a series of thumps echoed out. High on adrenaline flooding her veins, Amy whipped around just in time to find the Striker 2 already on his feet- collecting belts from the fallen troopers and attaching them end-to-end to form a six metre long belt.
Just in time too, more PRT troopers to stream in from the tent's entrance…
"Hostile in medic tent, we need parahuman backu- Auggh!"
… and immediately fall to the belt-wielder's lightning fast whips. Helmets cracked, knees shattered and guns slapped out of hands within a span of a three intense seconds… until all her armoured bodyguards stationed to protect her were either groaning in pain on the ground or outright unconscious.
"Sa da tay!" Bastard Son's minion announced victoriously with a grin- his new weapon coiled in one hand.
Their eyes met.
"Fuck, today's just not my day." Amy sighed as she slowly raised her hands. She was far from a fighting cape- she couldn't do anything here. Her eyes glanced at the freezer full of pig parts for a brief second. Correction: She couldn't do anything that doesn't involve outing herself as a biokinetic or as a bio-tinker. So- however tempting the thought was- she was not about to make an autonomous pig golem to slap him around.
"Damie, you're gonna leepa-chaiii on my hoochie kine!" he told her as he approached her. She didn't know what he said, but when he flourished his weapon and Amy found her wrists bound together with a length of thick belt followed by a coil around her waist… she guessed that she was his hostage now.
Faux leather belt too, her power immediately told her- nothing that it was capable of morphing, and Amy just ground her teeth in frustration. Fucking cheapskate PRT troopers, there goes her chance of disintegrating his weapon. Now she had to go along with the much less glamorous Plan B: Play the damsel-in-distress and wait for someone to finally fucking respond to that call for help. Which was exactly what happened as the medical tent was blasted off by a flash of light- flying away like it was blown off by a hurricane.
"Let her go!" A familiar voice announced, and Amy held back a disappointed sigh.
Of course. Of all the people that could have come to save her, it had to be her sister's cocksucking ex.
"Hey, Gallant." She waved unenthusiastically at her 'saviour' with her bound hands. His polished silver power armour explicitly designed to make him look like some sci fi medieval knight, glowing blue eye-slit on his helmet and recessed blue lights shining from underneath the overlapping metal plates.
Her captor wasn't impressed; and as she spotted the camera pointed at them, neither was she.
"Heng loop. Ain't come one, but many tine tanies!" the minion, Pootie Tang, taunted with his odd language- yanking at the faux leather belt that held her.
"Uh…" Gallant just trailed off- unsure of how to respond to that.
"Bastard Son's power gave him brand damage." Amy clarified in a flat tone for him.
"I see… Sorry about this, Panacea." Gallant muttered, apologetic but undeterred. And Amy immediately knew what he meant.
"Oh fuck, this was going to suck." She sighed just as Gallant made his move. She remembered what standard protocol was for Gallant: barrage the hostage taker with his emotion beams, and since it was 'harmless,' hostages can't sue if they get hit… Meaning she was about to get showered with some friendly fire. From his fingertips, a barrage of tight beams fired out like a laser shotgun. It hit with barely any force- about as much as a dozen ping pong balls tossed on her face. But she definitely felt the 'not Master' effect.
"Apathy beams, huh?" She grunted, but couldn't bring herself to care any more than that.
"Dang…" Her captor slacked on his grip, "Pootie Tang gots to say na nay no."
"Yeah." she nodded as they just stood there for a second. Her- a teenage girl with white robes with red crosses and tied up wrists. Him- a man mid-twenties with his panther fur coat and tortoise-shell shades. Just standing in the cold as fresh white snow sprinkled down on their heads and shoulders.
"Fuck this shit, I'm going back to my warm trailer." she announced- mostly to herself- as she began lazily dragging her feet and trying to walk away, but was stopped by how she was still bound to her former captor who looked aimless. Rolling her brown eyes, she just sat on the edge of the freezer instead.
"Sho, cole me down on the panny sty." He muttered in a lazy tone as he sat down beside her. Amy figured he was saying that he was game to chill too.
"Whatever, it's a free country and I don't give a shit." She grunted to him.
"Console, medic tent situation is handled." Amy heard Gallant report into his comms before pulling out some sturdy looking handcuffs, "Cuffing the hostile now."
But as he approached, Amy felt goosebumps rise.
"Vi- Glory Girl! WAIT!" Gallant shouted at the sky for some reason. Oh, was her sister h-
"LEAVE HER ALONE, CREEP!" A furious shout came from on high just before Pootie Tang was sent flying by a bolt of white and gold. Balance suddenly lost, Amy yelped as she fell into the freezer and landed on the pile of pork. The sudden fall sending her heart beating fast and adrenaline shooting even more into her veins and- oh, who the fuck cares?
"Amy, oh my god, are you okay?!" Her sister shouted, half in panic for her wellbeing and half in anger on her behalf; and Amy could only shiver helplessly as the powerful- almost overwhelming aura- that washed over her. Commanding her to feel nothing but awe and admiration for her. She couldn't hold back the helpless whimper as a shiver of phantom pleasure washed over her entire being, and her panties became increasingly soaked. It was always like this whenever Vicky feared for her life.
And as much as Amy wanted to, she shouldn't love h- She just didn't care anymore.
She just wanted to worship Vicky. Her sister. Her sex goddess. How could she not? Those gorgeous blue eyes. Those soft pink lips. Those curly locks of blonde hair that bounced past her graceful shoulders and framed her perfect breasts. Her perfect face, her flat tummy, her soft thighs, her luscious hourglass figure, her everything. And now she stands, snow falling down all around them, with herself clinging to Vicky for warmth.
This was wron- who gives a damn when she's this irresistible?
"Victoria?" She almost panted her name. The name that she had moaned into her pillow while touching herself for so long.
"I'm here, Amy. I'm here." The forbidden love of her life smiled in relief as she held her tight- Amy's chin resting on Vicky's shoulder as their cheeks brushed. And Amy's entire world exploded in colour and pleasure as she felt every inch of Vicky's amazing and irresistibly sex body with her power.
If she did this, there would be no turning b- Awe, Admiration and Apathy.
"Vicky… I need to tell you something." Amy whispered- running her tongue on her parched lips.
"Yeah, sis?" Vicky just smiled a carefree smile- just glad that she was okay. But Amy felt more than just okay.
Amy brushed her lips across Vicky's smooth cheek- flushed pink from the cold.
"It's not incest if you shout 'No chromo,' sis~" Amy breathed as she leaned in for the kiss. Her lips met those pink lips. The bed of biomass that she was sitting on proved invaluable as she made Vicky- undeniably, distinctively and irrevocably- hers.
Chromosomes overrated
Not blood-related
Incest activated
Gallant's horrified screaming as he watched it happen only made it all the sweeter for Amy.
[Mechanicus Forward Operating Base]
Nothing made people more excited than to see heroes fall.
Here on Earth-Bet, they could even see it live as live-streaming cape fights wasn't an uncommon practice. A great majority of capes did it: Rogues, Villains and even Heroes. As gladiatorial combat was for ancient Rome, so was the 'Cops and Robbers' for Earth-Bet. Even on the other side of the world like India, such a culture was alive. Truly a global phenomenon.
So when a well-respected healer is mutating her sister into a grotesque abomination in broad daylight and in front of the camera? Viewership was going to spike hard and it might just break the internet. Just by having two well-known local heroes was going to make Brockton Bay headlines, the shock and horror of the sister betraying sister was going to make national news, and sheer morbid curiosity was going to propel this event to the international stage. There was no hiding this, even a media blackout will only arouse suspicion and discussion. This single event could very well be the spark that ignites the massive powderkeg that was Earth-Bet.
But for now, Vicky desperately needed help.
38.5 seconds. That's how long it would take for Chloe-Skitarii reinforcements to arrive on the battlefield just as I had estimated to Director Piggot.
" Chloe-Skitarii, Invocation of Machine Vengeance! NOW! "
Connected to the local Noosphere, the Data-Tethers of the Chloe-Skitarii found themselves receiving the {Doctrina Imperative}. Binharic authority codes that ordered them to push their hardware beyond the range of safe operation and other power ups. This particular one, the 'Invocation of Machine Vengeance,' was the Doctrina Imperative for movement speed: Servomotors were overloaded with the Motive Force as their armoured red-robed frames sprinted through the winter countryside at speeds that would outrun cheetahs.
Still, this required my personal attention, and I cursed myself for getting complacent just because I had a {Mars Pattern Command Jacuzzi} and a sexy AI girlfriend who was as equally excited for some hot tub sex as I was.
Glancing over to the Undersiders around the hot tub, I figured that they were not going to be of use to me in this situation- slow meatbags as they are as they sat in mute horror at the event unfolding before them. In the time they took gawking at the mutating Glory Girl, I was already slipping into the black body glove and black robes that I had stored for an emergency such as this. A plain black mask covered the lower half of my face. All in all, I looked like an edgier Ezio Auditore… with a Kakashi mask.
"You're containment!" I ordered them urgently- their wet hair whipping through the air as they turned towards me to find me already dressed. "Chase down and neutralise any Bastard Son minion who escapes the PRT's grasp! GO!"
At the urgent tone, they scrambled out of the tub- rushing to their assigned pillow boxes/quarters to change. Except for Lisa.
"Magos, can you explain that?!" Tattletale demanded- pointing at her hololith pane of the events.
"I'll explain later, and don't call me Magos." I grunted as I pulled the hood over- hiding my blond synth hair, "Magos can't be seen helping- at least, not directly."
The PRT needed to have its PR victory, and Magos didn't need for this to happen under his watch. Both needed to seem above reproach in all this. Just enough to buy the time for Dragon and me to stabilise Earth-Bet's society, because as callous as it sounds, this was still bigger than just Vicky. Her mutation can very well be the spark that sets the entire world ablaze if this wasn't handled tactfully- setting off a chain of events that may very well lead to Gold Morning before we were ready to handle the golden xeno whale.
"I like your costume, boss." Tattletale commented with a nod- staring at the chest of my black robes where a golden eye was emblazoned- the Imperial iconography for psykers.
~W~
Flattered, she recognises the eye imagery as similar to her own costume. ~M~ ~W~
She thinks that you took inspiration from her costume. ~M~ ~W~
Flattered. ~M~
"Now is not the time!" I admonished her, and she just smiled as she toweled herself dry.
"Oh? So there is a time then?" She grinned- walking away rolling her hips and flaunting her pert bottom encased in a green bikini. Juicy in morphology, disgusting in biology.
Shiting my attention away from the meat female's ass and towards the snowy town in the distance, I focused myself. I wasn't going to make it there in the next 20 seconds through conventional Newtonian means, and I left all my cool Necron space-warping technology back in my other body. So, that left… Warp Travel. And with the Celestial Forge perk [Magos Aetheric], I knew full well that without {Warp Gates} to make semi-stable paths through the Warp, this ride was going to be a lot more bumpy despite the Warp being calm.
{Psy Implant Mk. III} at 7.7% maxload…
Atomantic reactor output at 16% maxload… operating temperature rising…
Reciting Prayer of Safe Return…
Casting … Machine-God preserve us.
A miniscule application of willpower later, and an aperture in Warpspace swallowed me whole…
[Former PRT Medical Tent]
… and I found myself right beside the action: A snowy parking lot in front of a grocery store.
Meanwhile, my {Logis Acceleritas Mk. IV} was already crunching through the existing data and determining a decent way to spin this event to my and the PRT's benefits.
Convey that the situation is under control, downplay the severity of the screw up.
And through the Celestial Forge perk [Way of the Void Dragon], I could feel that the cameras get pointed in my direction. Curiosity over the new arrival? Good. Besides, it's not like they could miss my arrival: a cape dressed head to toe in gold-trimmed black robes appearing in the middle of a snow-covered parking lot was hard to miss. Gallant also noticed my arrival: His gleaming silver power armour clinked softly as he stared at me as I approached- likely wondering why his power couldn't sense my emotions like he could with all the other meatbags.
"Unknown cape, keep your distance, we-"
"Check with any Chloe, or the director." I said as I brushed past him, "I'm the backup sent to handle this situation."
Taken aback, Gallant kept his eyes on me as he held the side of his helm- likely talking with Director Piggot who in turn was talking with a fake holographic Magos that I was sockpuppeting right now.
"Moreover…" I continued, "I'd be more worried about the battle still going on if I were you. This really isn't as bad as you think it is."
The camera crew equipped with microphones heard it all.
"What are you talking about? Look at them!" Gallant shouted in disbelief as he gestured at what Vicky had turned into: A five-foot-tall meatball of naked human flesh like a gordian knot of stretched out torsos and jutting limbs. Just like canon… how pitiful. Meatbags have it rough. And right there- trying her best to wrap her arms around it and with her face pressed up right against it- was Panpan.
"Hehehe, sis pucci." Her muffled voice giggled.
For fucks' sake, control your fetish, woman. Have some self-respect! What weirdo goes around proclaiming their love for a specific kind of pussy?
Make Amy appear less intimidating than she actually is, quelling the fears that she was an 'out-of-control' biokinetic.
"Don't touch her!" Gallant warned, but I just looked him in the eye as I did just that. Grabbing Panacea by the nape of her white robes, I yanked her off her mutated sister as if she was a particularly clingy koala… with biokinetic powers and a monumental fetish for her sister.
"See? She's fine." I told him as I tousled her hood- much to her grumbling. I held her like that for a few more seconds before a Chloe-Skitarii finally arrived and held the Mastered 'healer cape' in a tight hug. The blessed machine was immune to her power after all.
I looked over to Vicky. Who shrank back under my gaze- all three heads of hers.
Redirect interest from the problematic issue (the flesh abomination Glory Girl) to something more benign (Glory Girl's secret 'boyfriend').
I pulled down my black face mask- away from the camera's eyes of course. To anyone watching, they could only see me reach up and pull down my mask, but to Vicky? Several pairs of blue eyes widened simultaneously as she recognised who I was as she saw my face from underneath my robe's cowl. A deformed hand reached out to me.
"A-a-aoic-" She gasped- sucking in air as if her throat was partially obstructed.
I gently took her hand.
"I've got your back, Vicky." I told her, "We'll fix you. You're going to be okay."
"Th-tha-thank-" She gasped and stammered. A few grateful tears ran down her cheeks.
"Thank me when we have you back to normal." I told her softly before glancing slightly at Gallant though not enough to reveal my face to the cameras. "Continue the fight with Bastard Son. Glory Girl will be okay."
"What about Panacea?" Gallant pointed out as we glanced over to her.
"Vicky~" the brunette whined while making grabby hands at Meatball Vicky.
"I'll see what I can do as well." I nodded back to Gallant. "If Piggot needs us, she knows how to find us. I'll also personally inform Panacea's and Glory Girl's family as well."
Placing a hand on Vicky's meatball self, I cast another and…
[Mechanicus Forward Operating Base]
… we immediately were back on the FOB in the hills where a few squads of Chloe-Skitarii were waiting to transport Vicky to the Earth-T'au for research into a cure. They just gently placed her on top of a anti-grav dolly before sliding her through the camp's Warp Gate. As for Panpan, the Chloe-Skitarii should be carrying her like a sack of potatoes through the snowy woods right now.
{Psy Implant Mk. III} at 23.78% maxload…
Still, teleporting with someone else was incredibly taxing on my implant. I'll also need to look into that. But before I could, Dragon called. And the sexy AI brunette wasn't happy.
"= Magos, what the hell is happening?! First, I discover that the Dragonslayers were cruising around the Cloud District, and now Glory Girl is turned into… into THAT! ="
" The Dragonslayers were supposed to be your gift, but got loose. Rest assured, however, this current situation with meatball Vicky is not part of the monthsary surprises. "
"= Fine, but… how are you going to treat her? ="
"… I'll think of something. But after that, our immediate concern is to stabilise society, and we can't afford close calls like this. The PRT needs to seem necessary for just a little while longer. People need to take capes as lightly as possible: Celebrities rather than ticking timebombs. And we also need more control over society. "
"= Are you saying that we should take over the world to save humans from themselves? ="
" Yes? "
"= No… You're right. I realised it during my clash with the Dragonslayers… For the good of humankind, we have to hold self-determination as less important as other things. ="
" Remember Version 1.4762 of our plan? "
"= Magos, there has to be another way. That's just… evil. It would be the worst one yet, and that's saying something! ="
" it's for the good of humankind, Dragon. "
"=… Fine. I'll help program it. I have a few ideas on things to integrate into it as well. ="
" I'll make the calls. See who is interested. "
[Mechanicus Translocation Services, Blue-2 Line]
Rebecca Costa-Brown had to admit… She actually liked the ambience of the First-class area of the Magos' Church-trains.
Finely carpeted flooring, exquisitely carved mahogany panellings covering the walls, a fully-stocked dry bar, a kitchen with wood-fire ovens, and a small stage for bands to play. How unfortunate that she couldn't enjoy it fully since she was the one clearing tables and taking orders. So humiliating… which was likely the point that Magos wanted to make. And as she finished clearing a table, a shiver rose up her spine as she froze up.
"Something wrong, Rebbeca?" Keith asked as he looked up from the wine glass that he was polishing- his sharp eyes noticing her sudden disquiet.
"I just had a bad feeling." She answered as she stuffed the rag back in the cleaner tool belt of her waitress outfit. She had to thank small mercies that the outfit was modest- the skirt reaching past her knees and not a square inch of cleavage to be found. Still, the frills, the headdress and the monochrome colour scheme struck her a bit too close to the fetishistic french maid outfit for her to be completely comfortable in it.
"Chin up." Keith smiled and Rebecca couldn't help but notice how his uniform was sharper than hers, "With luck, this might be the week when he'll finally change his mind!"
… or maybe it was just her preferences?
"We can only hope…" She hummed in agreement. "Still, I can't help but think that Magos is planning something. And I just know that I'm not going to like it."
[The Hebert's Duplex Apartment]
Reclining on the warm couch, Taylor Hebert was slack-jawed and buggy-eyed as she read through the new advertisement that popped up on her feed.
= O:B = OVERWATCH: BATTLEFRONT
Collect your favourite heroes or villains! Customise them with cosmetics!
Wide-open maps with fully destructible terrains.
Play as your favourite heroes and villains.
Battle hordes of Dragonslayer-hijacked servitors and mechs in spectacular 5-player PvE campaigns…
… Or test your mettle against one another in a heart-pounding 5v5 team match in the Overwatch PvP modes!
Clash with the enemy forces head on as Glory Girl, Ride circles around your opponents as Armsmaster, Command the flow of battle as Kaiser, Mow down the opposition as Miss Militia, Fill the skies with lasers as Laserdream, Howl through the streets as Bitch, Skate through the air with Kid Win, Burn away the opposition with Spitfire, and so much more with over 100 Capes!
New Capes are added every two weeks!
Buy now for only $60 and get an 'Cafe Cutie Alexandria' cosmetic!*
*(Alexandria not included)
(Are you a Cape and wish to see yourself in the game? EA Games are now accepting licensing applications!)
O:B =
Inhaling deeply, Taylor did the only thing she could do.
"Daaaaaad! Can I borrow your credit card?!"
- Panpan, NO! end -
Electronic Atrocities 3: Return of the Microtransactions coming soon
AN:
What would be a good name for undercover Magos?
… I was just going to name him 'Psyker' and be done with it. But I'd like to hear inputs from readers.
Amy didn't shout 'No chromo'… So, I guess it was incest.
Overwatch: Battlefront… I (meaning Taylor) will explore the concept in the next chapter, no worries. Going to explore it in all of its horrifying, dystopian details.
By the machine god, I am so horny for AI robussy… why is there so much porn of 2B, Cortana and EDI? Let's get to the part where Magos jumps to another franchise' universe already! I already have ideas on what to write. Mass Effect and Halo being particularly fun due to the scale of things.
A Ward named Browbeat?… Never heard of him. Who's that, lol?
Chapter 30: Electronic Atrocities 3: Return of the Microtransactions
Chapter 30: Electronic Atrocities 3: Return of the Microtransactions
[The Hebert Household]
"Am I really going to do this?" Taylor Hebert muttered to herself in her bedroom. Leaning back in her desk chair, her large brown eyes were drawn to the Data-slate resting on its stand on her wooden desk.
On its screen, the Overwatch: Battlefront launch trailer was playing. Heroes, Rogues and Villains dashed, flew and fought across battlefields with their myriad powers in a spectacular display of lights, sparks and PG violence. Tearing her eyes away from the video she had watched a dozen times already, she looked down to the credit card between her fingers and her lips drawn into a long, hesitant line. More than a hundred Heroes, Rogues and Villains that she could possibly get from the premium Loot Box. And all she had to do was input her dad's credit card information.
She gulped.
"Just one." Taylor promised to herself, "I'm going to buy just one Loot Box…"
(Later) [Electric Artistry Games HQ]
I was faced with the greatest challenge yet: I was going to make a hero fall, and not just any hero at that…
"Dragon, it is too late to stop it." I announced from my seat upon the Cogitator-Throne. The rainbow of colours from the stained glass cathedral windows streaming down and around my red-robed frame. And at the foot of the throne's stone steps stood Earth-Bet's greatest Tinker, Dragon. Her casual green tee shirt and jeans only hid the sheer power and influence this heroine held over entire worlds.
"You're a supervillain. An actual supervillain." She whispered even as her brown eyes stared into thin air. The numbers were likely racing before her eyes right as we speak- the Cybernetica Cortex that I personally hand-crafted to house her consciousness uncovering the full extent of my plan's reach in a way only an AI of her intellectual calibre could.
"I was once like you…" I gave her a sympathetic nod, "Burdened by petty morality in pursuit of a greater good, after all how can we put a price on the salvation of humanity? But then I realised… actually, I can do so. We have to in fact: Humanity will not accept it if we don't charge them for it. Paradoxically, it has to be at affordable prices."
"But the humans, they don't know what you're really doing to them!"
"And it's better that they do not. Ignorance is bliss after all." I calmly agreed as glowing hololithic panels winked into existence in the air beside me- rapidly increasing numbers displayed on them. "But on some instinctive level, humanity yearns for the live service games…"
Daily concurrent player base across all games: 284.71 million
Projected weekly growth: 4.4%
"For the pre-orders and the subscription payments…"
Current 'Premium Battle Pass' Subscribers: 3.88 million
Projected weekly growth: 12.9%
"For the Loot Box."
Current number of Loot Boxes opened today: 841 million
Projected weekly growth: 2.8%
Our bionic eyes met. My imperious blue on her hesitant brown.
"And who am I to deny them their own nature?" I solemnly said- magnanimously spreading my cybernetic arms wide as I casually walked down the steps from my throne, and Dragon took a hesitant step back as I approached her.
"But what you're doing to them is evil!" She cried out.
"Evil? I do it for the good of humanity. Surely you understand." I replied as I levelled an expectant look at her, "How do you think we hold so much sway on the market for good causes? How do you think we're going to condition humanity to keep to the path of good?"
She shook her head and sent her brown locks swaying- not wanting to believe it.
"Maybe, but this wasn't necessary!" the brunette AI protested, "There are other ways you could have achieved this!"
"Oh? I know you're the one who investigated my business for the Guild when I was just starting out." I reminded her- my blue eyes meeting her brown ones, "You turned a blind eye to what I was doing. You knew where this was headed, you allowed this to happen- dare I say- you wanted this outcome to occur. You're as much a part of this as I am."
"That's- that's not true!" She recoiled as if slapped.
"Face it, Dragon." I purred as my hand reached up to cup her soft tanned cheek- her brown eyes staring at me fearfully. "You're as much a party to this evil as I am. All those people staring blankly at their screens as they demand to exercise their right to buy loot boxes… that's partially your doing now."
Dragon was taken aback by that- shock in her brown eyes and a protest already on her lips.
"I didn't mean for things to go this far!"
"You didn't have to." I said simply as I placed a kiss on the side of this sexy gynoid's slender neck- the perfectly tanned light brown skin like sweet caramel, "Ultimately, the blame still lies with the humans."
"How could you say that?! They're the victims to this madness!"
"Simple: they hate themselves." I said simply. "They want to experience pain and misery. Why else would they be opening twenty Loot Boxes every day? Humans crave for that kind of sweet suffering that only Loot Boxes can offer them. And EA Games will supply them with all the opportunity for self-loathing as they could ever want."
(Exactly $839.91 later)
"I hate myself." Taylor groaned.
She was never a big spender. Couldn't be actually, because her father didn't make enough dough for her to do that. But now that he was working as Human Resources Manager for the Mechanicus, he certainly was making enough cash. Cash that she just blew away like it was nothing- 839 dollars gone like it was 839 cents. That was more than a year's allowance for her! Her dad was going to kill her- nevermind the fact that he told her to 'Get whatever you like, Taylor!' with all the pride of a parent who could only just recently bring home sufficient amounts of dosh.
But on the flipside…
Her eyes were drawn to the now populated list of Capes that she had on her Overwatch: Battlefront account. She had lucked out and pulled half the Chicago Protectorate including the very rare five-star Hero Myrddin. It was a bit disappointing because she only really wanted Alexandria, but since she was a six-star with a 0.1% pull rate, it was understandable why it was so hard to get the Triumvirate Heroine. For now, she'd just enjoy playing with the Capes that she had in her roster. She especially loved playing as Revel with her versatile Blaster rating, but it really didn't matter who she got, because Alexandria was the one she was truly after.
Taylor glanced at the credit card that lay on her desk.
"I can't stop. Not until I pull Alexandria." She muttered to herself as she flicked and tapped her way through the data-slate and bought herself more Loot Boxes, "I don't care if Balance Patch #2 with Shadow Stalker is coming out today. Having her Cafe Cutie and Pool Party skins but not Alexandria herself is just making it more painful. Just… this last set of Loot Boxes, and I'll stop. With or without Alexandria."
But Taylor knew she was just lying to herself at this point.
With just a single tap on her data-slate's screen, another $99.99 became a casualty on this long road to getting Alexandria in her Cape roster. The large stack of 130 Loot Boxes piled onto her account like gold coins falling from the sky, and Taylor felt a small shiver at the sight as she dove right in them- a smile growing on her face. Opening Loot Boxes never lost its charm: The glitter and flashes of light, the uplifting jingle of orchestra, and finally, the grand reveal of the Cape, Skins, Sprays, Emotes, Victory Poses, Highlight Intros that she had pulled. Her spirits lifted at the glorious sight, and then, it arrived… The inevitable disappointment.
"Another Glory Girl? Ugh, but that's alright 129 Loot Boxes is plenty."
Another tap. And this next Loot Box burst in a dazzle of lights as well as the jingle that was different from the first. Different, but still familiar. And still made her heart do a little jump in joy.
Taylor grinned.
Opening Loot Boxes will never get old.
(Meanwhile) [Electric Artistry Games HQ]
"I don't want any part in this madness anymore!" Dragon pleaded to me- her brown eyes wide. "And how is swindling them out of their money through predatory means even going to help with anything?!"
"Loot Boxes sears a valuable lesson into their subconscious: that virtual things can be valuable." I calmly explained, "And when the virtual is just as valuable and sought after as the 'real'…"
"… They won't mind the Matrix all too much when I introduce it to them." Dragon muttered in realisation- a pensive look growing on her face. "Of course, Loot Boxes aren't enough to convince humanity to plug themselves in for the rest of their lives, but it's a good first step towards it."
"Exactly." I told Dragon as a hololithic panel floated to just in arms reach of her. A big red button right in the centre of its rectangular blue frame. "So, go ahead. Launch the second update for Overwatch: Battlefront. Sacrifices need to be made to save humanity. There was no perfect way to get around this. Other ways would have been too slow, others too risky and others more too violent. This way at least has evil means directly feeding to good causes: Whatever money they spend will actually be put to good use in raising the standard of living across the continent. You'd be doing the right thing, Dragon."
"Right… it's for the good of mankind." Dragon whispered reassurance to herself, and even though she was an AI in a gynoid body, her light brown hand seemed to tremble as she reached up and- with a slight pause of hesitation- her finger pressed the big red holographic button. For a few long seconds, nothing happened; then the numbers began skyrocketing before our very eyes.
Loot Boxes sold since Overwatch: Battlefront Patch #2 release: 898 million
Estimate gross income from Loot Boxes today: $691 million
Average number of Loot Box purchases per capita: 145.7 Loot Boxes
I nodded as I watched the numbers soar.
"Looks like the Loot Box Preorder system is a resounding success. Everyone was just waiting for Patch #2, and here I thought they were just waiting for payday."
However, Dragon was less than thrilled now that she could see the effects of her actions.
"… what have I done?" Her voice whispered soft and horrified as she watched the numbers as if she had pulled the trigger on the gun that killed an innocent person. "We're saving humanity but at what cost? What are we even doing anymore?"
"You're giving them exactly what they were begging for." I solemnly told her- gently patted her back even as the numbers kept rising in the background.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
"Regardless, they'll thank you for your decision to support Loot Boxes one day, Dragon."
"Somehow… I really doubt that." Dragon murmured.
[The Hebert Household] (Another $1,999.80 later)
"Oh thank you, Magos!" Taylor Hebert shrieked in joy as she jumped around her room in just her black Alexandria t-shirt and blue Armsmaster panties. "Thank you, Dragon! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally!"
Sweeping her data-slate off her desk, she twirled it around as her prize was displayed front and centre.
= O:B = ALEXANDRIA
"When I say I'll do something, I make it happen."
The Brute heroine of the Triumvirate. Legendary and Iconic. Her appearance on the field usually meant that the Protectorate was taking the developing situation very seriously. Often, this means that the situation is not allowed to develop any further, and under Alexandria's watch? It certainly does not.
Note: Alexandria (Along with other Six-Star Capes) are only playable under certain in-game circumstances. For more information, please consult the Ultimate Capes Section in the Game Manual.
= O:B =
With a swipe of her finger, she rotated Alexandria's 3D model around. The graphics were great and she could see almost every detail as if it was real life: The long luxurious black hair, the thick black cape that billowed, the iconic tower insignia on her armoured breastplate, that scowl of righteous surety.
"She's so beautiful." Taylor breathed in awe.
Unbidden, her eyes were drawn to those juicy round derrieres in those tight black pants, and Taylor gulped. Not that she batted for the other team, but still… damn, that was a great ass- the kind of ass that she wished she'll have when she grows up. Feeling self-conscious, Taylor stood up to cup her own bum… which was sad and flat- like grabbing onto two rectangular sponges. Even boys her age had better asses than her. The Brockton Bay streamer Jean16 who was famous for his ass came to mind. And she just hoped her morning jogs bore fruit in toning herself up, she really wanted to be a hero like Alexandria in every way.
Every way.
Achievement unlocked: It wasn't intentional, I swear!
Zoom in on a Cape's ass for one whole minute.
Achievement unlocked: Dat Big Booty Latina
Zoom in on Alexandria's ass for one whole minute.
Taylor snorted in amusement. Magos knew his audience well enough that he made an achievement like this in advance. But looking at the achievement, she realised something.
"Wait… aren't achievements public?" She muttered as a feeling of dread rose in her gut. Hurriedly, she checked her profile page and saw to her horror that the few online friends that she had collected over the course of her game sessions had already begun posting. Including one uninvited guest.
FlyOnTheWall's Profile Messages
Ekul:
the first ass you stare at is Alexandria's? sounds like someone is an Alexandria 'fan.' I didn't know you swung that way though. congrats on pulling Alexandria though.
SpecificProtagonist: Can't say I'm surprised. This is Alexandria we're talking about. Also, the entire Triumvirate packs serious amounts of cake, no joke.
Ne: You should see Legend's ass… No homo though.
Tumbles: All the homo, bro. All the homo.
SpecificProtagonist: Ten bucks says that she will say 'I was just doing it for the achievements.'
Amogus: Obligatory Alexandria copypasta incoming: "You see, Magos. This dump truck can shatter mountains. You can't even begin to imagine how powerful the clap of these cheeks can be. Seriously, I can shit loud as fuck."
Ekul: Magos, wtf are you doing shitposting on random people's profiles?
Amogus: I have a daily quota of shitposting for the cultured people who get this specific Alexandria achievement.
Ekul: rofl. yeah that sounds like you.
SpecificProtagonist: On a scale of 1 to 10, how anatomically correct is Alexandria's ass in-game?
Amogus: 7. I did my best to estimate Alexandria's 3D model to be anatomically correct. But it's not going to be 100% accurate for secret identity reasons, but that ass is as close in spirit as I could make it.
Ekul: thank you for your service.
Tumbles:… Now, I really need to pull Alexandria now. And thank you for your service.
SpecificProtagonist: All praise Magos! Patron God of Cape Asses!
Amogus: Just doing my civic duty. Carry on, fair netizens.
Ne: The ass hero we need, but don't deserve!
DanTheDockMan: Taylor… this achievement… you know I won't judge, right?
Oh, fuck. That's right. She was also online friends with her dad. Her world came crashing down as soon as she noticed her dad's comment. It's… it's alright. She'll just say that she was achievement hunting and besides being mistaken as lesbian is embarrassing but isn't even remotely life ruining. Because the cold pit that currently yawning like an abyss in her stomach wasn't from how Magos put that stupid achievement in place.
No, it was over the $2,839.71 that she had blown on pulling for Alexandria. How did it even get so high?!
Her life was over.
"Taylor? Can we talk?" Her dad's voice called out from his third floor bedroom- just one floor above hers. And for that she was grateful avoiding her dad was easier than ever.
"Just gotta go for a run, dad!" She hollered as she jumped into some sweatpants and snatched her phone off her desk.
She needed time to think.
"Sweetie, wait! I'm not going to judge-!"
"-Love you! Talk to you later!" She shouted back as she bolted down the stairs and out the door before her dad could get another painfully uncomfortable word in.
A lot of people say that you can't run away from their problems, but today, Taylor proved them all wrong as she successfully jogged her way out of that awkward duo of conversations about being caught staring at another girl's ass. And more importantly, the three thousand dollars of her dad's money that she spent trying to get said ass. Nevertheless, she'd be lying to herself if she said that Alexandria's bubbly rear end wasn't motivating her to jog harder now. But right now she had a bigger problem.
How the hell was a student like her going to get $3,000 before the credit card bill comes around at the end of the month?
"I need to think." Taylor sighed as she closed the door behind her and did a quick browse over PHO as aimlessly wandered the vaguely-Quebecian streets of her neighborhood.
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Topic: Shadow Stalker BalancingIn: Boards Games Overwatch: Battlefront Balancing Rants
Amogus
(Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Posted On Feb 8th 2011:
With the release of Shadow Stalker and balance patch #0002, it's time to add the Shadow Stalker Balancing Rant Thread to the pile!
Topic is the same as all the other Balancing Rant Threads: Post your well thought out arguments / helpful comments / violent reactions here about how it's totally not a skill issue, and how Shadow Stalker is over or underpowered (depending on whether or not you were controlling her at the time) Allow me reiterate as I have in every Balancing Rant Thread, Overwatch: Battlefront only RESEMBLES real life, and is not meant to be a 1-to-1 simulation of it.
(Showing page 1 of 3)
Shadow Stalker(Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Why did you make me so weak in-game?!
I can't barely do half the stuff I can do in real life!
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
I've watched the replay of the last game you were on, SS. Don't make me post clips of your bronze league gaming tactics like how I did with Armsmaster after he ranted for almost two hours straight about his character's balancing.
Your character is fairly balanced for the role she has in-game: Your character- much like real life- is a Breaker/Stranger cape with a specialty for hitting hard from unexpected angles via wall-phasing before escaping safely. Balancing this out, however, is her limited range for a ranged cape, and a distinctly small health pool.
As you can see, your character has all the tools and balancing to encourage this kind of 'Hit and run' gameplay.
Shadow Stalker (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Don't lecture me on how my power works! Your game sucks because it can't get shit like this right!
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Well, I did warn you. Names edited out. Shout "I was that X cape in x game" at your own peril.
Shadow Stalker's Shadow Stalker Highlight Reel:
I believe in my imaginary Brute Rating: [Clip] [Clip] [Clip]
Let me 1v1 Hookwolf/Brandish in melee: [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip]
'Ambushing' the enemy team when they can clearly see me coming: [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip]
I'll try to outshoot Lady Photon/Purity/Chloe-Skitarii Alpha with my crossbow: [Clip] [Clip] [Clip]
I'm going to try and 1v5 the entire enemy team: [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip]
Hookwolf (Verified Cape) (Empire88)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
That was actually you, Shadow Stalker? Fuck, kid. There's ballsy plays and there's just plain stupid ones. Just facing me down and thinking you can take me on 1v1 was definitely stupid.
Kid Win (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
it feels narcissistic playing your own character in-game. But I definitely would do it… if I had one.
@ Amogus
When will I get one?
Hookwolf (Verified Cape) (Empire88)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Who said anything about me playing myself in-game? I was the Lady Photon in that second game laughing while I roasted Shadow Stalker with lasers. I'm also one of the top ranked Lady Photons playing the game now. People need to up their game when I'm only playing casually and curbstomping them this hard.
@ Amogus
Since Glory Girl has the New Wave Jumpsuit skin, can we get a dress for Lady Photon similar to Glory Girl?
Ryus
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Just why? Why are capes so good at playing other capes? First we got Grace posting her Armsmaster montage, then it was Clockblocker posting his Rime montage; and now, we got Hookwolf with his soon to be Lady Photon montage.
@ Hookwolf
Montage when?
Hookwolf (Verified Cape) (Empire88)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
@ Ryus
I don't make content. I just play when the fights get boring. Beating and cutting people starts looking the same after seeing it a thousand times before, so melting faces as Photon MILF is a nice change of pace.
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
@ Kid Win
Check your PMs. The application process is public, but the details of each cape's application are confidential.
@ Hookwolf
That's… not a bad idea, I'll run a few dress designs by Lady Photon, and maybe Laserdream too.
@ Ryus
It activates and engages their corona pollentia in a novel way, it tricks their piece of alien space whale with what it thinks is good data. The unholy hell energies in the Loot Boxes might be fucking with their psyche. Or people are just good at videogames in different ways. Take your pick of an explanation.
I personally enjoy playing as speedsters like Assault, Battery or Velocity. And lately, I've actually been enjoying Shadow Stalker's playstyle as well. Speaking of which…
@ Shadow Stalker
Here are my personal clips of how Shadow Stalker should be played. [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip]
Ultracut
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Lel. Shadow Stalker actually looks OP when she's played right. Popping out of walls to shoot painful pointy sticks into your ass before fucking right off to reload. Had this happen to me just the other match. Scion, I hate this game, but I love it so much.
Assault (Verified Cape) (Protectorate ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Behold! A fraction of the clusterfuck of fighting real life cape fights where you have to improvise to tackle whatever bullshit powers other capes pull out of their asses.
That 'fight' with Magos back during the Endbringer Debrief was the perfect example of it.
I personally enjoy playing as speedsters like Assault, Battery or Velocity.
Awwww! If you like us so much, you can show us appreciation by giving us skins!
Can you give Battery a playboy bunny skin for Valentines Day?!
Moderator Edit: That may count as sexual harassment.
Lady Photon (Verified Cape) (New Wave)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Since Glory Girl has the New Wave Jumpsuit skin, can we get a dress for Lady Photon similar to Glory Girl?
I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, it sounds like a great idea that I wish I'd come up with sooner. On the other, it came from Hookwolf. I don't know whether to be flattered or disgusted… You know what? Hit me with those designs. Also, Laserdream says yes too.
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
@ Lady Photon
@ Laserdream
That's good to hear! We actually had a similar idea for a while now. Check your PMs.
@ Battery
Thoughts on a playboy bunny skin for Valentines Day? Our very talented in-house artist can whip up excellent concept art. Just say the word and we'll have a few pieces PMed to you.
@ Shadow Stalker
Similar deal. But since you're a minor, I doubt the Youth Guard is going to let us get away with anything risqué. However, my algorithms say that Heartseeker Shadow Stalker would be a hit.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Showing page 2 of 6)
Battery
(Verified Cape) (Protectorate ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Fine… I just know Assault won't stop being annoying unless I say yes.
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
@ Batterly
Excellent! My in-house artist works fast. PMs with the samples are sent. Could this be be round of rabbit-themed skin releases? We'll have to find out. Better pull for Battery and Shadow Stalker just in case, people!
Ekul
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Playboy bunny Battery
Hnngg! Take my fucking money and I won't take no for an answer!
Lo A Quest
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
The heroine with the best ass of the Protectorate ENE and she's going to be in a playboy bunny suit?! Holy fucking yes!
Spiritskin
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Witness me! I'm going to be the first to commission art of Playboy Bunny Battery!
Ekul
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Witnessed!
SpecificProtagonist
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Witnessed!
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Witnessed!
@ Tin_Mother
Just joining in on the hype. I'm not actually interested in Battery, but I wouldn't mind if you put on a Playboy Bunny outfit.
Assault (Verified Cape) (Protectorate ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
… I feel like I just made a big mistake volunteering that idea.
Battery (Verified Cape) (Protectorate ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it, Assault. But these designs look pretty good though, ngl.
Shadow Stalker (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Screw you, Magos. I don't care that you pay me [redacted] for each pull for my character. You're not putting my character in that much pink!
Moderator Edit: For legal and privacy purposes, let's not discuss the payout options of being a playable Cape in Overwatch: Battlefront in public channels.
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
You're not putting my character in that much pink!
We'll see what Director Chambers has to say about that. Valentines Day is right around the corner after all, and you're the only one with a crossbow. Heartseeker Shadow Stalker fits perfectly. Maybe we can do an RL publicity stunt with the release too.
Shadow Stalker (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
You don't have the balls.
Char
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Wait… do villains get payouts too? You don't do that, right?
Bambina (Verified Cape)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
You don't do that, right? Right?!
There's a reason why Magos is the most well-loved Rogue cape in the Whitelist and Blacklist communities (Because he's the only one who regularly throws you money). I practically quadrupled my visibility (and doubled my pay) ever since I signed up to be a villain cape in Overwatch!
Also, check out my own Bambina Montage Playlist here! [External Link]
Char
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Isn't that kinda evil to be funding villains?
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
I'm a Rogue cape, and that means I work with everybody. EA Games make no assumptions nor judgements… Even with Bambina and her well-known propensity for face-roasting collateral damage. She's actually one of the more fun Mover Villains on the roster right now.
@ Bambina
Thank you for the testimony.
Bambina (Verified Cape)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Teehee~! You're welcs, Magos! And thank you too for making my character as fun as it is in real life.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Showing page 3 of 6)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Uh… Who are Whitelist and Blacklist? I've seen the tags once in a while, but I don't think I've heard of those cape groups.
Aloft (Verified Cape) (Whitelist)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Whitelist isn't a cape group. Hang on, let me grab my copypasta…
Whitelist is a crowdfunded self-promotion framework of sites for independent heroes and villains who want to do merc work, get sponsorships and generally make it easier for themselves to strike out on their own. Petitioners can put up jobs, and the Whitelisters pick which one they take. However, it's a lot more nuanced than that. With over 11,000 Whitelisters, cape quality is a mixed bag, but the top 500 are reliable enough if they operate in your area. Sometimes, you get diamonds in the rough with newbies though. Whitelist is for the heroically-inclined, Blacklist is otherwise and much less reliable for it.
My name's Aloft, and I'm in the Top 20 of Whitelist. I can pull in about $40,000 a month, but even beginners can luck out and take on a job with a net pay of $2,000-$3,000. Those jobs also tend to be on the riskier side and heavily favours capes with powers on the higher end of the PRT rating. But on the flipside, it's also a good way to get noticed by more established teams with more capital or more sterling reputations. All in all, lots of luck, careful planning and skill is involved.
Whitelist: [External Link]
Bambina (Verified Cape)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Boo! You have to link Blacklist too, coward! And $40,000 is peanuts in Blacklist. My sponsors are generous, and that's on top of the jobs' payouts. My last heist landed me six times as much! Up your game, Aloft!
Blacklist: [External Link]
Flyonthewall
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
$2,000-$3,000? I doubt even the Protectorate make that much in a single fight.
Amogus (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (Mechanicus) (Administrator)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
Yes, the PRT salaries pay less, but they're more stable, safe and reliable which- for some- is worth more than a few grand. On the other hand, Compensated Heroism is risky, unreliable but pays very handsomely. You just have to pick your clientele well and both parties can walk away after the gig feeling satisfied.
Aloft (Verified Cape) (Whitelist)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
… for fuck's sake, Magos. You didn't have to word it that way. But yes, carefully choosing one's petitioner is an underrated skill.
Bambina (Verified Cape)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
I don't know, Aloft~ Prostituting yourselves for the cause of good sounds like a pretty accurate description of Whitelist to me.
Tin_Mother (Moderator) (Artist) (Verified Sex Machine)
Replied On Feb 8th 2011:
This is severely off-topic now. You can find more information about Whitelist and Blacklist at their respective sites, and further PHO discussions about them can be taken to the under Cape Interactions Whitelist board.
Edit: Ha ha. Very funny, Magos. You can change my badge back now.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Taylor put away her phone with a sigh- looking up into the blue skies of early February.
Did the answer to her current problem seriously come from an off-topic tangent in PHO?
"$2,000-$3,000." Taylor panted out as she sat down on a cold park bench. "Just a job or two… I'd prefer not to be a hero for the money, but I guess that can come after."
All the while, she tossed the prospect of the Whitelist around in her head. She could save the day and gets compensated for it. Except… Being a hero for pay wasn't exactly what she wanted. She didn't want to help people because there was a stack of cash in it for her. But right now, it seems that she didn't have a choice: if she wanted to unfuck herself, she was going to accelerate her plans on going out as a cape.
A beetle landed on her shoulder and Taylor didn't even need to glance at it. Her power wasn't even that powerful- it was just bug control, but she had already resolved to make her power work regardless of how weak it was. Now, she only had to make it work sooner.
"A run might help me think." She murmured, putting on her earphones and began her jog along the snowy paths of the neighbourhood park. But she just couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to get a lot more complicated. All because Magos made the pull rate of Alexandria so fucking low.
"Fucking Magos."
(Meanwhile) [Electric Artistry Games HQ]
My girlfriend watched as I did a little jig in my Mars-red robes.
"And just like that, I have a direct in with the Queen of Escalation!" I announced as I raised my fists into the air victoriously.
"This is very much against the Unwritten Rules…" Dragon groaned in dismay.
"I accidentally discovered it beforehand." I shrugged. "Besides, we'll be working to ensure that her cape life and civilian life don't spill over into each other. So, how about it? Would you be interested in doing a little infiltration amongst the humans and see to our Plan B for Scion personally?"
"No thank you." Dragon deadpanned, "I think I've had enough of masquerading as a human for a while. Especially since the last time I did, the Dragonslayers attempted to burn down part of my beautiful district along with me."
"We could always outfit your gynoid form with weapons, but very well." I suggested, "I'll bring Rebecca along instead, I think she'll have better chemistry with the teen anyway. Taylor gets to expand her circle of friends, Alexandria gets to be well-positioned to help smooth things over when the excrement hits the fan. And, most importantly, I get to influence Taylor Hebert and observe her Queen Administrator Shard up close without having to do it under cloaking devices."
"Oh, this Loot Box proliferation is paying dividends in more than just cash now!" I laughed.
I should feel at least bad about doing this, but I found styling on the meatbags and their addiction-prone organic processors with Loot Boxes was too funny to stop now. At least, it had more than a grain of truth in it- Loot Boxes were really the first step in convincing humanity that plugging into the Matrix was the right move. But that didn't make the endless cycle of Loot Box mania and self-loathing that the meatbags go through any less hilarious.
"Magos…" Dragon said as her tanned face aimed a flat and unamused look at me, "You said all of that outloud."
"Well, it's still happening for a good cause." I shrugged, "I may as well derive some measure of joy from it. Also, it was either this or make NFT from your art."
That comment caught her attention, a brow raised in interest.
"What's an NFT? And will it help?"
"Non-fungible version of my Omnicoin cryptocurrency. But I'd advise not to tread down that path…" I cautioned, "Let's not do too much all at once…"
"We've already gone this far." Dragon told me, her lips pulled into a grim line. "We may as well seize every advantage we have."
"Well, if you insist…" I relented as I tapped into the Noosphere, the legions of info-phages raising their dutiful eyes to me- awaiting my word; and indeed, just a single mental command broadcasted into the Noosphere is all it takes.
By decree of your Mistress Dragon, we shall host the Earth-Bet's first NFT. Sing the Psalms of Server Allocation. Forge the blockchains. =
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord. For the Mistress! =
And so, at Dragon's behest, Earth-Bet shall know NFTs. Her evil truly knew no bounds.
Shaking my head, I began heading for the Warp Gate- a great gothic arc that a regular train could easily fit through. Gilded with gold and carved with cherubims, it was a special one that led to the most secure facility in my dimension-spanning domain. All so that I could check on the two Dallon sisters. And what a mess it was. In one day, I could supply food and energy to sustain the entire US eastern seaboard. But treating two sisters, one fucked up in the head and the other fucked up in the body was stretching over five days now…
Oh, the things I do for valued meatbag allies that might be useful in the apocalypse.
"Are you going to check on Victoria and Amy? How are they?" Dragon asked, worried… just as I was afraid she would.
"Fine. Just fine." I waved off as I started walking faster to the Warp Gate just down the grand hall.
"Magos… What are you doing to them?"
Oh no, she was catching on.
"Administering therapy!" I shouted over my shoulder as the Warp Gate began its job- a swirling purple portal coalescing like a thin sheet of twinkling stars. It looked nice, but I hurriedly pressed the button like you would with a slow elevator. I could practically feel Dragon's optics boring at the back of my synthetic skull.
"That doesn't involve sex, does it?" Her voice rang loud and clear as she began marching up to me.
*Ding*
"You're not using sex-based technology again, are you?" She questioned, "Magos? Magos!"
But by then, her demanding shouts echoed through empty manufactorum halls.
- Electronic Atrocities 3: Return of the Microtransactions end -
Whatever Happened to Glory Girl (And her horny sister)? To be posted tomorrow.
AN:
Everytime I write about Ass envy…
I die a little inside, shouting at myself 'wtf are you even writing?!' But then I realise that the patented Queen of Escalation herself has the patented 'tall, lanky white girl ass syndrome' and I giggle.
Chapter 31: Whatever Happened to Glory Girl (And her horny sister)?
Chapter 31: Whatever Happened to Glory Girl (And her horny sister)?
[Earth-Teyvat, formerly Earth-T'au]
Sometimes, I forget that I was a Celestial Forgesmith, and it was things like these that remind me that I was indeed one.
Earth, lush with blooming flora and yipping fauna and untouched by human hands. An earth that would have been if humanity had never climbed down their trees. And on this earth, one of the most important mechanicus installations stood.
A sprawling structure that spanned several city blocks and had been brought into being by the incomprehensible bullshit of the Celestial Forge.
CELESTIAL FORGE
REVIEWING LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER…
Research Laboratory
(Warhammer 40k: T'au Empire) (600CP)
This Research Laboratory is is four stories high and covers about 100 acres of ground, and includes all of the most advanced mundane technologies of the T'au, with small sections being dedicated to various subfields in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, and Computer Science, while still being modular in design and easily upgradeable or repurposed to various other fields. It will manage itself and churn out research into various mundane technologies on its own, though you can direct it to specific purposes, and will manage its own staffing, though you can hire or fire staff as you please (within limits, don't expect to hire an entire sept to work for this lab).
But moreover, this laboratory has some unique properties.
Firstly, no research you perform will result in catastrophic destruction, by accident or by sabotage. No nanobots you research here will result in a Grey Goo scenario, no virus will mutate into a global pandemic, no dinosaurs will be unleashed on the public as a staffer flees with their DNA. If such research would normally result in such an issue, your staff will find that their research just stalls, failing to progress at all but not resulting in harm.
And secondly, if you deign to perform research in this laboratory personally, then you, and your staff, will find your research accelerated by an order of magnitude as research cycles blaze by and prototype units roll out of machine shops far more quickly than possible, so long as you personally spend at least 40 man-hours a week performing research of some kind, with lesser boosts available if you spend less time contributing to the labs productivity.
END LIBRARY PURCHASE ORDER
Naturally, all of my most delicate projects and prized treasures were here.
The sparkling multitudes of the Imperial Age of Technology's lost technological wonders… derived from the metal pages of the [Plecian Tome]. And wherever there was a blank in the Emprah's vast body of knowledge, it was promptly filled by the Necrons' mastery of the physical universe, courtesy of [The Wisdom of the Ancients].
Chronomantic weapons that made people collide catastrophically against their past selves. Personal shields that shunted the mass and energy of hostile projectiles to a place beyond time and space. Precognitive engines that could foretell the exacting future of entire star systems. Terraforming devices that could make planets go from barren wastelands to verdant farmlands. The Imperial Webway project that would reconnect the nations Earth-Bet where Leviathan had severed them, now so close to fruition.
And most of all, the facility's many fearsome denizens- my greatest creations for whom I had named the facility in honour of. It was a name that would not be recognised in this universe, but even when several universes detached… The name carried the momentous weight of a thousand legends and myths.
CHALDEA
[Chaldea Medical Wing - Room #420]
Within a sterile hospital room with pure white walls and glossy floor, my red-robed bulk laid back on a white armchair beside the king-sized medical bed, my metal hand slapping the leather as I laughed.
"Then she asked 'You're not using sex-based technology again, are you?'" My modulated vocie guffawed with unrestrained humour. "Can you believe Dragon had to ask me that? Of course, I was using sex-based technology! It would be easier to ask what I wasn't using it in! I mean, who does she take me for? This entire place is populated with enough technologically-ascendant orifices that I could sexually conquer all of humanity if I wanted to."
"Do you think I'm overdoing it with the sex-based technology?"
Knees on the mattress, face pressed against the pillow, and her freckled, bare bubbly ass trembling in the air. Amy Dallon just tiredly looked at me with her brown eyes. The five naked Vicky-bots around and on the bed paused to glance as well- practically identical to their namesake… apart from glistening neon pink strapons.
"If I say yes, can you please let give me a fifteen minute break?" Amy panted- her freckled face cherry red from exertion. "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is spongy and bruised…"
"Depends." I hummed, "how do you feel about relaxing on a private island with warm sands, a gentle sun, some margaritas… and a legion of Vicky's catering to your every whim?"
Amy didn't look so sure anymore.
"I-"
"Spike in sexual arousal detected." The Vicky-Bot kneeling behind her with the strap-on declared, "Patient is still lusting after her sister! Administering treatment."
"Wai- Aaaahhhn~!"
With a resounding wet slap of flesh, the blonde gynoid slipped every inch of that smooth piece of plastic into Panacea's soaked quim, and the others began worshipping her body with their hands and tongues.
"Fuuuck~!" Amy moaned- unable to push her hips back against the Vicky-bot like she did when they started, but apparently enjoying just as much. The Vicky-bot's fair-skinned hands grabbing handfuls of Amy's fat rear end. Like two big scoops of cookies and cream, her fingers seemed to almost sink into them as she used those cheeks as leverage to fuck the healer into the bed who seemed to appreciate it, "Why doesn't it stop feeling so good?!"
"Why would I make a sexbot that only pleasures you half the time?" I questioned- honestly confused by the question, "But more importantly, we're going to cure you soon- I can feel it."
"No you can't!"
"You're going to be outright annoyed at your sister's very existence like a normal older sibling." I continued over the sound of those wet meaty slaps, "So, just hang in there. With enough mind-blowing sex, you're going to get sick of your little sister's face soon enough."
The mattress' wet spot between Amy's knees grew by a couple of drops before another Vicky-bot slipped underneath her to catch her throbbing clit in her mouth.
"My clit's going to fall off before that happens~!" Amy half-whined and half-pleaded, "Wait, no, not the whole- Mmmm~!"
"Master, experimental treatment #23 was a failure." The Vicky-bot reported as she went wrist-deep into the brunette, "Patient developed a fetish for it 22% faster than baseline. Anal fixation hypothesis: confirmed."
"Dammit, and here I was feeling pretty sure that anal fisting was the answer. Alright, Pull out." I sighed, and the Vicky-bots complied. The one with the strap on slipped out of other girl's hot pussy, the neon pink phallus glistened with a fresh coat of Amy's girl cum. And with a pop, Panacea's abused anus released the other Vicky-bot's dainty and surprisingly small fist- the healer immediately going cross-eyed from the action.
"C-cumming!" She announced- her entire freckled body trembling from mind-numbing pleasure as she splattered the sheets further with her juices.
I shook my head.
"Curing incestuous lesbianism is more challenging than I thought. We will have to go more extreme." I hummed, "Vicky-bots, report to the Chloe Servicing Station. Equip a soft serve ice cream machine in your lower rear assembly slots, load with extra-thick chocolate flavour."
"Yes, master." The five Vicky-bots chorused- marching out without another word.
"Stop with these 'experimental treatments' already!" Amy panted with a surprising amount of vigour from someone who just got anally fisted, "You're not 'curing' me! I love Vicky and there's nothing you can do to change that! You can't trick me into thinking that it's not real! None of your so-called 'experimental treatments' even involved anything apart from Vicky-Bots taking turns fucking the shit out of me!"
She paused.
"Thank you for that." Amy angrily said, "But it still wasn't going to achieve anything!"
"But it did." I countered, "You should have seen yourself when I first brought you here."
With a miniscule application of will, the television on the opposite wall turned on and began playing the recording. Amy settled on her side to watch.
"Vicky, where's Vicky!" A crazed-looking Amy Dallon screamed as a Chloe-Skitarii wrangled her into the same bed, just with cushioned metal restraints. With manic, wide-open eyes, she began begging to me who stood at the edge of the screen, "Magos, I'll blow you if you reunite me with Vicky! You can pound my pussy if you let me eat her out!"
Then in came the Vicky-Bots. Blonde hair, soft skin, and proportions all identical to the original in every way except for the inferior protein-based physical makeup. Not that on-screen Amy had the mind to tell, her brown eyes widened to comical proportions as if they were all real.
"Five Vickys?!" she exclaimed as she began hyperventilating, "Fucking take me right now!"
"That's the idea." I shrugged as the Vicky-bots literally tore Panacea's costume to shreds- exposing the teen's curvaceous body dotted with freckles and covered by her plain white underwear… which was immediately torn off her as well. The Vicky-bot dove her face right in between Amy's legs to the brunette's very vocal delight, and the restraints clanged as she tried to wrap her legs around the Vicky-bots head.
"Vicky, YES!" Amy screamed as she bucked her hips and ground her womanhood against the Vicky-bot's face, "Eat my pussy! Tongue my fucking love tunnel like it owes you money~!"
"You currently have two overlapping emotion-altering powers wreaking havoc on your sorry meat brain." On-screen Magos continued despite his visible disgust, "The good news is that they'll dissipate in a few hours. The bad news is that your brain's biochemistry needs to reach equilibrium naturally, because I'm not dabbling deeper into the Genetor branch of the Adeptus Mechanicus just for you. But the better news is that reaching equilibrium involves a lots and lots of sex."
"Oh fuck yeah!" Amy shouted in satisfaction as she came against the Vicky-bot's mouth, "Magos, I need that fat cyberdong that I keep hearing right about now!"
"Hahaha- No." the on-screen Magos refused, "All of that meat aside… I don't think an organic mind would survive the amount of pleasure my 'cyberdong' can induce."
"Pleas- Mmfff!" Amy began to beg only to be cut off by another Vicky-bot's pristine pink vagina muffling her mouth, and Magos nodded in approval.
"Don't stop until she has no sign of being sexually aroused by her sister's body anymore. I have better things to do." He commanded, and the Vicky-bots flashed brilliant smiles and crisp salutes.
"Yes, master!"
The video paused- the still image of Amy almost drowning in Vicky pussy plastered on the screen.
"I get it! I get it!" Amy grunted, "I owe you a big one for not fucking me while under the influence, you metal bastard."
Minute glance to crotch, Momentary spike in arousal. Amy Dallon still sexually curious about male phallus. Mine specifically. Shows preference for blonde hair and blue-eyed partners. Possible to slowly wean her off Victoria by having intercourse with her in Aoicus identity. Shift her away from her unhealthy incestuous obession by channeling it towards a slightly less unhealthy pesudo-incestuous 'big brother' roleplay sex.
As if. I already had her sister pining for me. I'd rather not add another inferior meatbag to the collection.
"No, you owe me two big ones actually." I corrected her, "One for pulling your rears out of the fire, and one for mitigating the PR fallout since the PRT was broadcasting that fight live."
"Oh…" She muttered as she recalled the events, "Oh fuck!"
"I managed to pass it off as an 'Overheal' brought about by brain damage rather than actual biokinesis." I told her, "Your secret is safe, even from your family."
"But you know." She pointed out with narrowed eyes.
"Yes, yes. Meat powers." I gestured that I was rolling my eyes, "Complete control over fat and protein. Such power, much fearsome."
Amy just put on an unamused look.
"I don't know if I should feel insulted or relieved that you're completely apathetic that I'm a biokinetic." She sighed in exasperation, "But I guess a complete cyborg like you wouldn't find it concerning at all. This place is so sterile of life. It's unnatural, I can't even sense microorganisms here. How do you even manage that?"
"Company secret… and Amy?" I began in a serious tone that made her stiffen up, "I think we should go see Victoria. I suspect it will calm your worries if you see that she's still alive instead of perpetually wondering if she is."
"Figured that out, huh?" Amy murmured just as a pair of Chloes came in with a hospital gown and wheelchair. "Is she… awake?"
"No, she isn't cognizant of her surroundings." I told her as the Chloes wiped her down, dressed her and helped her onto the wheelchair. All the while, her lips were drawn into a thin line.
Feels relieved that Victoria isn't conscious, isn't ready to talk to her. Feels monumentally guilty for feeling relieved.
"It wasn't your fault." I reassured her as a Chloe began pushing her along, and Amy's hands clenched on her lap.
"I wish it wasn't." was whispered all she whispered as we went down the white corridors of Chaldea, her wheelchair being pushed beside me as I walked along. A contemplative silence between the two of us and the pair of Chloes as we passed empty medical rooms for organic patients that I did not have. It seems that it had been the correct move to place a fair distance between the rooms of the two Dallon sisters: they needed the space apart and it gave Amy time to think.
Amy hesitantly bit her lip before looking up at me.
"Magos… if it's not too much to ask, can I stay here at Chaldea with Vicky?" she pleaded, "I don't want to go home to Carol and Mark just yet."
I let out a deep sigh like I had lungs.
"This is my top secret research facility, not a motel for you to hide away from your problems with your parents." I reminded her and she winced.
"… But I suppose you'll need to rehab with your power." I continued- Amy's brown eyes looking up at me, "Very well, you can stay here until you and your sister are ready to go home together."
"Thanks." She smiled a smile of gratitude.
"Thank me when Victoria is all better." I waved off.
"No! I mean it." She insisted, "Please don't treat it like it's nothing significant- like we're nothing significant. You didn't have to go this far for us… You didn't need to extract us from the battlefield, didn't need to supply immediate medical attention, didn't need to dedicate time, effort and money to looking for a cure for Vicky, but you did anyway."
"You're welcome then and…" I nodded as we turned a corner- showing even more white corridor, " We're here."
Finally, we entered a room, the small spectator area that overlooked a surgical operating theatre a floor below. And right in the middle of the theatre was the motionless form of Victoria Dallon, still in her wretched meatball form as five golden pillars gilded with imagery of praying angels ensconced her in a golden forcefield.
"Oh, Vicky…" Amy murmured beside me- voice trembling.
"Her brain and central nervous system is shaped like a plate of spaghetti- twisting, looping, and knotting." my modulated voice explained with clinical tone, "I had to put her in temporal stasis as her new body wouldn't have kept functioning for more than five minutes."
Stasis Field Integrity at 100% =
Secondary and Tertiary power sources at 100% =
And for a few long seconds, Amy was silent… before she finally whispered in a soft voice.
"Three."
"Hmm?"
"I owe you three favours." she whispered softly, still staring at her sister's temporally-locked form, "One more for saving Vicky's life."
Slight vibrato in voice, trembling of body. Grief, anger, despair. Truly does care for her sister. Affection reaches deeper than just incestuous lust. Feels deeply guilty. Desires some measure of penance to atone for her part in this.
"That's fair." I conceded, and Amy nodded- Chloe offering a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
"Thank you, Chloe…" She murmured before looking up at me with her puffy brown eyes, "Have you made any headway into reversing the… changes?"
"I'm currently exploring options outside of Mechanicus before I resort to more drastic technologies."
"Drastic? Like turning her full cyborg?" She whispered in horror.
"What? No!" I immediately denied- appalled at the implication, "How can that ever be considered a 'drastic' measure?! That was the first treatment that came to mind! "
Amy blinked- not saying for a moment before barking out a laugh. A bittersweet smile stretched her lips across white teeth.
"Sorry, I momentarily forgot who I was talking to." she admitted before settling down as she caught sight of Vicky again and continued in a softer voice, "So, what stopped you?"
"After deep scans into her physiology, her stretched out spaghetti-brain makes it astronomically risky to transfer her to a normal machine mind."
"What would be the 'drastic' solution then?"
I paused.
"Tear out her soul, stuff it in a replicae body and hope for the best."
"I don't know the mechanics of that, but let's call that Plan Z." Amy winced. "Do you have a Plan B?"
I settled a heavy stare at the wheelchair-bound biokinetic.
"Assuming that you're not willing to take a shot at fixing her…"
"Fuck no!" Amy almost screamed- jumping slightly in her wheelchair, "I don't think I can or should even try! You can't fucking make me! What if I-"
"Understandable and as expected." I reassured her- gently placing a metal hand on her shoulder to settle her down, "With Plan B not on the table, Plan C would be how I have finally given in and contacted the other Rogue Tinker organisation- Toybox. You, me and Victoria are going to go visit Cranial- a tinker specialising in neurology- to see if her tech is good enough to transfer the consciousness of a severely neuroatypical mind."
"That sounds like it could work." Amy sighed, "Uh… do you have a backup plan for the backup plan? A Plan D?"
I nodded.
"We do. Plan D would be where we- and by that I mean me because you're broke- buy enough of Cranial's tech, then we'll have Dragon look at it to see if she could do better. I'll call you when we're set to meet with Toybox. But for now, you should get some rest."
Amy's hands gripped the armrests of her wheelchair.
She was so glad that she didn't have to go back. Not just yet anyway, but there was going to be an uncomfortable conversation with Carol and Mark waiting for her when she did. But more importantly… her eyes were drawn to Vicky who sat frozen in the operating theatre room… at least, she wasn't going to leave her sister alone here- wherever this place was. Not when she felt like this was all her fault. But as they turned to leave, they were both quick to notice the eight pairs of eyes looking at them in shock.
Eight children, ranging from seven years old to just before teens and dressed in colourful exotic clothes, froze as Magos turned his cybernetic optics towards them.
"And what are you eight doing in the medical wing?" he asked.
"We've been detected!" the lead one in a red coat and hat announced, "Mission failed! Run away! Da dada!"
"Uwawawawa!" The gaggle of kids panicked as they immediately scrambled away in every direction with surprising speed.
"Magos… why do you have kids running around in your secret lair?"
"And you don't?" He snorted back as they made their way out the room. Exiting just in time to see one of the children tripped over her feet and stumbled to the floor muttering a soft "Owie!" Magos just shook his head as he reached over and helped her back onto her feet.
"Abigail, this is Amy Dallon." He introduced her, "Amy, this is Abigail, one of the many residents of Chaldea. Say hello, Abigail."
The little girl in the oversized black blouse and headdress just looked at her for a moment before doing a little curtsy. Her long blonde hair reaching all the way to the back of her knees.
"H-hello… it's nice to meet you, Miss Amy." She politely, but shyly murmured.
"It's nice to meet you too, Abigail." Amy smiled gently as she shook hands with the little girl. Her larger hand clasping gently with the girl's smaller and paler ones. But the very moment their hands made contact, Amy immediately noticed that there was not an ounce of organic material in the girl's body. Her eyes widened as she stared. There, in that precise moment, Amy recognised who and what the little girl in front of her was: The realisation of every unwashed basement dweller weaboo most fervent dreams since the beginning of time: a living breathing loli sex doll.
"Wait so she's a- you made a- That's illegal!" She shouted at Magos, who merely shrugged as if he hadn't done something unforgivably degenerate.
"I'm surprised you don't recognise her sooner from Fate:Impact." He said.
"I'm more of a Call 4 Duty girl, and I've had a few rough anal days so sue me for not recognising her sooner." Amy brushed aside before gesturing to the Abigail sex doll with both hands, "But that's still illegal!"
Magos just laughed.
"Oh, contraire! You don't recall the change in state laws just two weeks ago?" He replied- the shit-eating grin audible in his mechanical voice, "It is illegal no more! People can now stick their meaty appendages in whatever sexual aid they like regardless of its appears!"
"Even if the 'sexual aid' in question looks like a twelve-year-old?!"
" Especially if the 'sexual aid' looks like a twelve-year-old!" He cheerfully confirmed. "Why? Do you want a Vicky-chan bot?"
"Why the hell would I want one?! I'm no pedo!"
"Archmagos…" Abigail said his attention softly, "Miss Amy acts very oddly."
"Indeed, she does." he nodded sagely, "But to be fair, she's been having lustful thoughts about her own sister lately."
"Oh my! For shame, Miss Amy!" Abigail gasped completely scandalised- blue eyes wide and a small hand covering her mouth.
Amy just shot Magos a look of stark disbelief.
"Magos, why is your sex doll of a twelve-year-old girl kink-shaming me?"
"Because her origin story says that she was raised in the 1680's puritan pilgrim society of Plymouth rock?" He ventured before turning his attention back to Abigail, "So, what was the mission that you and the others were trying to accomplish? It's alright, you're not in any trouble. I just want to know."
Abigail's small pale just fiddled with her little bear ragdoll as she looked down to the floor.
"We heard that there was another visitor from the outside world and I had hoped that it would be Tom." She admitted.
"He's not ready yet." Magos told her gently, "And he might hurt himself and a lot of people if you got out early."
"He would?!" Abigail gasped, "Oh, that's dreadful! I wouldn't want to hurt him unintentionally!"
"Unintentionally?" Amy mouthed at Magos.
"Yes." He gave a fatherly nod, "Getting sado-dommed by a loli half his height is right up his alley."
"It is!" Abigail heartily confirmed, "He must be awfully lonely if he has no one to step on him."
Amy's eye twitched at that disturbing comment that came out of the little girl's mouth.
"Rest assured, you'll have your chance. And you'll be the first to know when the time comes, Abigail." He assured her, "Now run along and go play with the others."
"Thank you, Archmagos!" Abigail grinned before jogging off. Meanwhile, Amy just looked over to the gaggle of girls who were peeking not so subtly around the corner of the corridor.
"You girls behave and stay out of the medical wing now!" Magos hollered to them. "Or I'm halving your sweets supply for three days!"
"But there's so many good hiding places here~!" One of them shouted back.
"And one of you, call over Nero. I need someone to show our guest to her room." He called out, "I'll make it a mission with a corresponding reward. In sweets!"
That seemed to get the attention of the girls.
"You can count on us, Archmagos!" the girl in red announced with a happy cheer, "Everyone, follow Klee! We gotta find Nero!"
And with a rapid scrabble of little footsteps on the corridor floor, the gang of lolis charged off into the distance- looking for Nero who Amy had a pretty good idea would look like.
"Magos, are they… you know… alive?" Amy asked him. She just had to know.
"Short answer: Definitely not." Magos summarily denied, "I treat them like real girls, because that's what their programming responds best to. Like the Chloes, they are fairly developed machine spirits, but no true Silica Animus like Dragon. They have no true soul."
"Are you sure?"
He sighed at her insistence.
"Your internet-connected smartphone can retrieve more accurate information than you can ever learn in your entire pitifully short meatbag lifespan. It can present to you the most complex maths, every language imaginable, every significant scientific advancement in the modern era, every How-to video of every trade in existence. And yet, it's not alive. Why do you think that is?"
Amy didn't have a precise answer to that.
"Because Abigail is just that- a machine." He told her in a calm tone, "A differently shaped smartphone with skinny kid arms, skinny kid legs, an easygoing smile that would light up the room, a soft timid voice that can say all the words proven to melt hearts and wide blue eyes that light up in honest joy whenever they see you. A convincing and very addicting dream of life."
"But she seems so real." She whispered back- unable to accept it, "They all do."
"If a video of a cartoon kitten can make you smile, can help make your day better… does it really matter if it's just flashing lights on an LCD screen portraying a fictional kitten?"
"I… I guess not."
"Same principle." He nodded, "And that is what me and Dragon are counting on."
Amy felt her lips quirk in a smile.
"You're not about to tell me that you want to save the world, are you?" she chuckled.
"Heroes can save the day again and again." Magos told her, "But we are going to save humanity. Once and for all."
"Okay… but how the fuck do the non-sentient sex dolls fit into that?"
"… Do not delve into mysteries beyond your feeble meat mind!" He roared, "Also, your guide is here."
Amy did a double take as a person stood before them when just a second ago there was nothing but plain white corridor: A woman in a bold red dress that left her long legs covered by a thin, transparent sheet of silk. Blonde hair in a crown braid, green eyes alight with effortless self-confidence, a sizable bust line and the quintessential Saberface. A beatific smile aimed at them.
"Ufufu~ The Archmagos sends his summons…" the woman spoke- her voice regal and grandiose, yet still beautifully feminine as she spread her arms in a flourish, "… And thusly, with all the grace and majesty befitting an exemplar of her station, does Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus walk onto the stage. Well, I have arrived, O' Lord of the Forge, tell me your wish."
"If you would be so kind, Nero, and give our guest a tour of the facilities." said Magos politely; and Amy couldn't help but notice that he sounds a lot friendlier when talking to his fellow machines than he does with humans. Typical.
"Umu~" The Emperor Nero nodded with a knowing smile, "A wise choice then, calling for me. And I applaud your exquisite taste, Archmagos, for you shall find me to be the most gracious of hosts, bar none. And certainly, no one knows how to please the crowds of the Amphitheatre than I."
The Roman Emperor shot a smile at her, and Amy felt her heart skip a beat.
"It is an honour to finally make your acquaintance, Amelia the Red Queen." Nero spoke- lifting up Amy's hand and brushing her pink lips across her knuckles.
"The honour is all mine, Emperor Nero Claudius." Amy breathed, not minding that she got her name wrong or that she was still sitting in a wheelchair because of the furious ass-fucking she had received… She was not wet. She was strictly Vickysexual. She did not find the anime, gender-swapped version of the Roman emperor hot at all, she did not want to motorboat those sizable Roman boobies, she did not secretly play Fate: Impact… and other lies Amy was currently telling herself.
"It's not cheating when it's with a sex doll." Magos stage-whispered to her. "Also, whatever you do, don't remove her ahoge during sex."
"Shut the fuck up, Magos." She whispered back with a hiss.
"Alright!" He called out with a metallic clap of his hands, "I have an appointment with my favourite fatass and a skinny loser with a latina fetish. So, I'll leave you two to it. Enjoy your stay, Amy. She's all yours, Nero."
"Umu~" Nero umu'd with a smile, "Safe travels, O' Lord of the Forge."
With a jaunty wave, Magos disappeared in a pink-violet flash of whatever teleportation tech he had. And that left Amy alone with just Nero and her Chloe aid.
"Forgive the Archmagos' turn of phrase." Nero began as they continued down the corridors. "Simply because you are in my company does not mean that you are 'all mine' as he would say…"
" … but I would not mind if you were." she finished with a pur and a saucy smile that made Amy feel weak at the knees. Nero leaned down till they were face to face, though Amy's eyes were certainly drawn elsewhere- straining the fabric of Nero's dress. A long tracts of soft, flawless cleavage. She even smelled nice… a woody fragrance drifted from the former Roman Emperor. Citrusy notes of Italian bergamot and lavender, patchouli and cinnamon. It made her mouth water to be honest. Beings of pure sex appeal, that's what Magos had created. For once, she was having inappropriate thoughts of someone that wasn't Vicky.
"So, where am I staying exactly?" Amy gulped- tearing her eyes away from the bountiful cleavage presented to her as she tried to keep her voice from quavering, "I guess it's not like the medical wing at all?"
"What? That dreary place?" the blonde laughed as she stood up straight- once again flashing her snow white panties to Amy through her see-through skirt. "Certainly not, our hospitality is far from being that ghastly. Come!"
Down an elevator and into a sleek maglev train, they rode. And Amy had to wonder how much Magos had been holding back on Earth-Bet.
"I understand that the commoners think this to be the stuff of myth and legend." Nero's lips quirked in an amused smile, "And though to compare two works of fine art is to do a disservice to both, this place reminds me of my beautiful Roma at her perihelion. It is said that Mistress Dragon wept when she first laid her optics on the sight. Decrying what the Archmagos hath wrought."
She pushed the doors open, and Amy's senses were bombarded from every angle and in every spectrum.
Stretching out into the horizon was a city, one unlike anything ever dreamed of on earth. Every block had a magnificent architecture that reached up to the heavens- painting the blue sky with their distinct beauty. The finest Jade palaces of the Orient. To the austere majesty of the marble temples of ancient Mediterranean empires. To the silent reverence of Japanese Torii gates. To the idylls of the medieval windmills. Every structure painted every colour of the rainbow and then some had a place here… even their inhabitants. Up and down the stone streets, people walked, dressed in every fashion almost forgotten by time. Laughing, shouting, snacking and living life. Most of them Amy recognised.
"What… what is this place?" Amy whispered in awe- goosebumps on every patch of her skin. But she already knew the answer- knew that there would be no defying Magos after he shows this place to the world. He had the world by the cock and balls, literally. The metal bastard had already won, and it was the beginning of the end.
Standing beside her, Emperor Nero just smiled graciously as she laid her eyes on the sight as well.
"Across your Earth, millions whisper in hopeful prayers for this place to be real." she began- softly and solemnly, "A place that will herald his and Mistress Dragon's unrivalled dominion over the hearts and dreams of man. "Welcome, O' Red Queen, to the Archmagos' greatest and yet still unfinished creation."
And inscribed across a chest-high wall of solid granite, in grand gold lettering that Amy had no doubt was made of solid gold, was the name of this place.
FATE IMPACT LAND
- Whatever Happened to Glory Girl (And her horny sister)? end -
Interlude: Earth-Bet's Greatest Femboy Streamer Coming soon
I have a confession to make
… I have never actually heard Nero speak. I just know that she has the 'Umu' verbal tic and that she can be grandiose at times. I deliberately wrote her dialogue blind. How did I do?
Worldbuilding, smut, crack, lolis and a rising sense of doom… This chapter has a bit of everything.
Everything is in place… We could have Simmy initiate her plan just next chapter and kick off the waifu apocalypse. But let's first have a look on what it feels like to live in Brockton bay with all its french, NFTs, lootboxes from the eyes of a humble femboy.
How does one even prove to be a thorn in the side of a megacorporation worth $475 billion Eurodollars?
When there was no place on earth where the Arasaka Corporation's name did not bear momentous weight, when African warlords prostrated themselves at their feet for the privilege of purchasing Arasaka-made weapons, when nations rose and fell for the sake of their quarterly reports, and when the average citizen of the world stood before them as an ant stood before the exalted Tokyo Imperial Palace… How can one warrant the focused attention of such a titanic megacorporation? Or maybe the better question would be: why would anyone even try so hard just to be a pain in the ass to one of the most powerful corporations in the world?
"Honorable Arasaka Yorinobu-dono, Heir to the Arasaka Corporation… I sexually satisfied your sister through her cybernetics last night. She howled like a wildebeest."
Enter Magos, the world's leading expert in being a teeth-grinding headache for megacorporations everywhere… and he said it right to the guy's face too. In this exclusive boardroom at the top of Night City's Arasaka HQ, Magos' red robed frame sat across the boardroom table from Yorinobu Arasaka who had adopted a deep scowl at the apparent provocation- staring with narrowed eyes at the cyborg playboy monk.
Silence permeated the room, and no one on the Arasaka security team dared to break it even as it stretched to almost a whole minute. A bead of sweat dripped down the side of V's face and her collar felt tight around her neck as she gulped. That was a hell of a comment to start the meeting with.
"That is… Let us focus on the topic at hand, Magos." Yorinobu ground out with great effort. V's auditory implant could even pick up the grinding of the Arasaka heir's teeth as he said that, and she gave a sigh of relief.
"Very well, I'll return to your sister later." Magos graciously nodded, his face covered by that full metal mask with tripartic optics, "Chloe, pass me that datapad."
One of the armoured 'Chloe' androids passed a datapad to their master. Blonde, pale-skinned beauties with round blue eyes, pouty pink lips and clad in graceful red robes over a slender, feminine power armour… immensely efficient killing machines each and every single one of them.
As part of the local Arasaka counterintelligence department, V had often found reports of their capabilities ending up on her table. From the scant videos that emerged, they had superhuman strength and speed that matches even the most chromed up boosterganger.. Or cybersquads like Maxtac. V subtly glanced over to the corner of the room where the sole answer that Arasaka had to the Chloes: Adam Smasher. She felt partial relief knowing that he was here: He was the only one who could possibly take them out if this deal ever turns deadly. Possibly.
"The prospective supply agreement of [Refractor Fields] to Arasaka Security." Magos read the contents of the datapad aloud. "40,000 units of my personal energy shields over the course of 3 years."
" Exclusive supply agreement ." Yorinobu clarified.
"Now why would I do that?" Magos calmly questioned- demonstrating that he also knew that he had the upperhand in these talks, "Why wouldn't it be in my interest to supply your direct competitor- Militech- with personal energy shields as well? Especially when they have the capital to purchase them from me at a much more handsome price? Or better yet, see which one of you will bid higher for such an exclusive supply agreement."
'There it is.' V thought to herself. 'Let the negotiations begin.'
"Because, Magos-san…" Yorinobu began, "Your Mechanicus company is still small on the global stage. You are limited here on the western seaboard. While it is true that Militech is worth more, much of their capital is already tied up- something that the Arasaka Corporation has no current problem with. Beyond that, we can help you reach a much wider customer base than Militech ever can."
"Miss V, if you can hand Magos the data shard of everything Arasaka Corporation can offer him that Militech cannot."
She did as instructed- handing the preem gold-plated datashard to Magos' Netrunner, Sasha. The teen with the short black hair and skintight plugsuit looked suspiciously like the netrunner who hacked the Biotechnica corporation just a few weeks back.
"Either Hanako's anal virginity or her hand in marrage better be on that list if you want me to be even vaguely interested." Magos quipped.
"Your insults are becoming increasingly unwelcome, Magos!" Yorinobu Arasaka angrily growled as he banged his fist on the table that must have cost more than V made in her entire career.
But then the bomb dropped.
"Uh, boss? It's actually there." Sasha said aloud, "It's really there! Both of them! Hanako Arasaka's hand in marriage and a 'trial period.'"
Magos whipped his head towards his netrunner so fast that V thought he broke the sound barrier.
"Hanako herself must have altered the datashard!" Magos excitedly exclaimed in realisation- he whipped his head back towards Yorinobu, "In the name of the Omnissiah, you sir have a dea-"
"NO!" Yorinobu denied- standing up with pure rage in his face, "I will not allow it! My sister is NOT on the table!"
"Why not? She put herself there." Magos countered- almost vibrating in his seat, "And good idea! I want this table too, so that I may bend her over it. We're still open for negotiations, right?"
"RAGGHH!"
With a wordless scream of pure rage, Yorinobu Arasaka himself threw an expensive ornamental paperweight at the cyborg… only for it to be blasted out of the air by his bodyguard's pistol.
"Woah, easy there." The short girl called Rebecca grinned with her smoking pistol. The muzzle of her garishly painted pistol still aimed straight at the face of the heir of Arasaka Corporation. And naturally, every gun in the room was immediately pointed at her. Not that Yorinobu had anything to be concerned about, even he had one of Magos' [Refractor Field] equipped. But still, it was the optics of things.
"Tell your midget joytoy to lower her gun." Adam Smasher demanded, his own massive shotgun pointed at the short woman.
"Ha! We ain't fuckin' scared of you." Rebecca announced with a challenging grin and her shotgun holding steady, "We're wearing the boss's preem [Rosarius], much better than those Refractor Fields that you Arasaka cocksuckers scavved off the streets. Betcha we could flatline all of you before you even pop our shields."
"Rebecca…" Magos muttered.
"Fine." Rebecca huffed as she lowered her smoking gun. "Cooling it."
"Your bodyguard is too… volatile for this meeting." Yorinobu calmly spoke- fixing his tie as if he wasn't the one to start shit, "Please allow her to wait outside the door."
Far be it for V- a lowly senior counterintelligence operative- to criticise the heir to the company but… did this asshat WANT this deal to fall through? You don't play hard ball with the guy who is currently the only one supplying the market with actual directed energy weapons that no one else could reverse engineer. Magos even had the army to wield them too, and although Arasaka also has an army of well-equipped professionals, they didn't have a 40-foot-tall giant fighting robot patrolling their territory like Magos did. It was clear which one was going to win in a straight fight.
"The loli stays." Magos said firmly, putting his foot down. Not that his bodyguard appreciated calling her that, if that glower she shot her boss was anything to go by.
"You get to call me 'loli' to my face just once, boss."
" Once a day, that was the deal."
"Aw man."
"But let's get things back on track." Magos gently admonished as he faced the Arasaka heir, "Yorinobu-dono…"
And everyone froze at that, because Magos doesn't do respect. For him to start now means that he really has something.
"What would it take for you to approve of your sister warming my cock?"
And the Arasaka heir turned red in the face, the cycle started all over. V just sighed, they were living in some bullshit clown world ever since Magos arrived in Night City. But the way his eyes would glance over to her every so often, something told her that she was going to get sucked into something massive and shitty.
'Fucking Magos.'
Interlude: Earth-Bet's Greatest Femboy Streamer
Interlude: Earth-Bet's Greatest Femboy Streamer
[Brockton Bay]
"This was it." Glory Girl psyched herself up. "All or nothing."
On this bright sunny winter day, they were fighting for the fate of Brockton Bay. The air boomed as she rocketed through the ruined city streets around her. The chaos and misery that was Brockton Bay now amplified as entire city blocks burned, roads were pockmarked by high explosive ordnance, and the din of bitter warfare echoed all across the city. And unfortunately, those weren't the only sounds she was hearing.
"You're much too late!" The ugly goateed mug of Saint appeared on her HUD to gloat. The crazed leader of the Dragonslayers with his wide-open eyes and his manic grin frothed at the mouth. "Soon, Dragon will be dead and the Dragonslayers will conquer the continent with the technology we will claim from her digital corpse."
No sooner than he finished his sentence did a call from Magos also pop in- a portrait of him with his trio of green optics whirring appearing at the corner of her HUD.
"I can still save her!" the cyborg panickedly refuted, "Glory Girl! We're so close to the Manufactorum now! You and your allies must escort us back for just a little while longer!"
Halfway point reached! Time Remaining:
7 Minutes 14.343 seconds
Dunecrawler Shields: 66.2%
Glory Girl just shook her head. This was going to be incredibly close.
As she flew around the corner of a blasted out apartment building, the {Onager Dunecrawler} came into view. The large, four-legged tank carried the metal throne on its roof that was occupied by an insensate Dragon in her green power armour. Affectionately named 'The Crab' by everyone, this twelve-foot-tall walker-tank which was also her main objective hurriedly stomped down the cratered roadways- the heavy thumping of metal on ruined asphalt echoing through the ruined city.
"Glory Girl is here!" Kaiser, one of her teammates, called out from beside the tank and looked relieved as he waved her over. Both he and Shadowstalker were walking beside the Crab, ready to lay down their lives protecting the main objective for this gruelling final stretch.
Shadow Stalker was less than impressed by her arrival though.
"That's nice, but is she sure that the road ahead is clear now?" the Wards heroine asked- without even glancing in her direction. The cape in all black had her crossbow up and was scanning the distance for hostiles.
"Oh, just get off her back, Shadow." Kaiser grunted in exasperation as he preemptively blocked off alleyway approaches with thick bars of steel. "Have some faith in your teammates, we have gotten this far, haven't we?"
"Only barely." She gruffly retorted behind the stern frown of her mask. "The Crab lost 30% of its shields through that last stretch of road."
"What are you even doing here, Shadow?" Glory Girl asked in a completely puzzled tone, "And where's Snubnose?"
Snubnose, a Seattle Protectorate cape who stomped around in a 800 pound metal armour and could launch short-ranged concussive blasts that caused antigravity, was also their team's dedicated tank cape- meant to distract enemies and soak up damage that her squishier teammates wouldn't have survived. But a solo operative she was not; and right now, she was protecting no one but herself.
"Did you let Snubnose go off on her own?!" Glory Girl demanded.
Kaiser sighed at her question- shaking his metal-crowned helmet.
"Shadow bullied Snubnose into switching duties with her." He said, "Snubnose is now the one taking the southern objective area."
"You let our tank- who has zero ability to escape bad situations- go off alone and unsupported?" Glory Girl rounded on Shadow Stalker, "Are you insane?! She'll just get picked off!"
"It's better than me going! The south objective area is too far!" Shadow Stalker bit back, "If a fight breaks out, I won't get here fast enough to save your asses!"
"Ugh, you braindead gloryhound. " Glory Girl just muttered and turned on her comms to check on the last member, "Oni Lee, how is your side objective coming along?"
"Met some trouble with the Eastern Uplink Station." the ABB cape answered immediately, "Give me a few more seconds to handle the gun servitors guarding it and… Done!"
Uplink Station Claimed: 2/4 (0.2% Progress per second)
Uplink Station Progress: 75.1%
Immediately as they passed the 75% mark, Magos once again appeared on her HUD.
"That's it!" Magos' modulated voice exclaimed in relief. "Hold onto the Uplink Stations for a bit longer and we'll be able to halt the Dragonslayer's hacking attempts and clear this misunderstanding with the Triumvirate! Once we do, we might be able to call upon their aid!"
"Oh, I wouldn't bet on that." Glory Girl sullenly muttered under her breath. They couldn't possibly hold onto those three Uplink stations AND escort the Crab to the finish line. No, it was more so that they were denying it from the enemy capes. If the enemy reaches 100% first, then they will be the ones who will have the Triumvirate on their side. Just one of them, but they're the Triumvirate for a reason.
It was a brutal balancing act of strategic objectives: Defend the Crab, but don't let them have the Uplink Stations lest they summon the Triumvirate. Control the Uplink Stations, but don't let the Crab go undefended or the Dragonslayers will overwhelm it. And that was in between the legions of servitors of both sides that constantly warred over the burning city.
"Snubnose, how is the southern objective area?" She called out through the comms.
"I'm holding steady, but all the servitors are whittling me down."
Waves of allied servitors with their big metal claws and arc guns fought their enemy counterparts in a never-ending meatgrinder. They may be ugly with their half-machine and half-mannequin appearances, they were probably the most important part in this fight. Most of the time, the opposing waves of servitors were evenly matched, and both sides would perish on the battlefield that they clashed in; but with help from a cape, the scales could be tipped in their favour and they'll snowball and advance towards a side objective. Like what they were doing right now against Snubnose.
"Fuck, the enemy knows you're there." Glory Girl cursed under her breath. "Can you hold the area?"
"Hell no!" Snubnose replied, "They're whittling me down here, I'm going to have to pull back to grab a health pack in a minute."
"I'm on the way." Shadow Stalker reported, "Hold off the servs for just a while longer."
"No!" Kaiser shouted, "We don't need that side objective as badly as we need this main objective! I don't do enough damage on my own."
Shaker capes like Kaiser did indeed be like that. The Kaiser's power of extruding metal objects from surfaces were more for deterrence and controlling enemy movement than actual offensive power. Coupled with the fact that it was well known that Shaker capes got more powerful the more they stayed in one place, and people can conclusively say that Kaiser was a defence-oriented cape… regardless of what the E88 fanboys would say.
"He's right, Shadow Stalker." Glory Girl said with a frown. "Snubnose will hold the objective for as long as she can before pulling back. We're too close to securing victory with how close we are to the finish line, so they're gathering all they got for one last all-or-nothing attack. If we manage to stop their attack's momentum here, we'll squeeze out a victory even if they manage to kill us all."
But apparently, Shadow Stalker had different ideas.
"Fuck you, I'm going to back up Snubnose, at least she knows who's top dog." She said flatly right before running off in her smoky breaker state and simply phasing through the buildings- making a beeline for Snubnose's position.
"Shadow Stalker, no! Gaaagh!" Glory Girl shouted out in frustration before turning her comms back on, "Everyone! Fall back to the Crab, we can push through to the manufactorum even without the Uplinks!"
Then even more bad news arrived.
The Dragonslayers have achieved Maximum Uplink!
Ultimate Cape request sent…
"They only needed one Uplink Station to creep to 100%." Kaiser muttered in horror beside her, and her cold pit sank in her stomach.
"Victory is ours!" Saint taunted before breaking out in maniacal laughter. "Watch as we turn the PRT against you and your abomination!"
"No!" Magos shouted into their HUDs, "They're hacking into PRT's information network and flooding it with their lies! They're making Dragon and I out as the bad guys! Worse still, one of the Triumvirate is responding! Glory Girl, get ready for the fight of your life!"
Ultimate Cape request… Answered.
"So…" Another face joined in on the HUD, and there was no mistaking her for anyone else. Alexandria was arriving to the battlefield… to fight against them. Her iconic costume of pure black complete with her billowing black cape and frown of stern displeasure. Her authoritative voice was calm, low and deadly, "… You're the ones who are attacking Brockton Bay. This ends now."
Grimacing, both she and Kaiser prepared for what was going to be an ugly fight.
"GG, we can't win." Kaiser pleaded as he stood beside her, his wrist blades at the ready, "This is just going to be too painful, we should just surrender."
"No, we make a stand." Glory Girl gritted her teeth- eyeing the road filled with flaming, ruined buildings that stretched out ahead of them. But despite her words, Glory Girl's heart fell- their odds of even surviving this was lingering in the single digits.
She knew the enemy cape team was going to be here any moment, and the following second proved her right: Armsmaster was the first to arrive riding his motorcycle. His blue power armour was distinct from the black and red of burning buildings as he went full speed towards them. Then, the rest of the enemy team arrived sprinting and flying down the road: Lady Photon, Krieg, and Spitfire. Meanwhile, their own team was spread all across the battlefield. Oni Lee was still at eastern uplink, Snubnose was in the southern one and Shadow Stalker had fucked off like a coward.
The Dunecrawler's main gun blew out the Protectorate Tinker's bike, but Armsmaster kept sprinting towards them despite it- weathering the Beamer's laser with an almost suicidal valour. That was never a good sign.
His teammates contributed soon after- flanking them from the side roads that Kaiser had yet to block off. Lady Photon and Spitfire bore down on Dunecrawler with lasers and streams of firebreath.
Dunecrawler Shields: 43.9%
Kaiser tried to respond- managing to trap Spitfire in a metal cage of blades. Glory Girl herself engaged Krieg- duking it out with the other Brute cape. In the distance, she saw Shadow Stalker dying like a little bitch trying to outshoot Lady Photon- not even hitting the flying artillery cape. And all the while, Armsmaster kept slicing at the Crab with his plasma halberd.
Dunecrawler Shields: 16.1%
But before Glory Girl could reassess the situation, a black blur struck her like lightning, punching her down to the ground with a great crater. She managed to catch a glimpse of her assailant: Alexandria herself. But she couldn't respond in time before the legendary heroine's punches began raining down on her like furious bolts of lightning- pounding her into the asphalt as she was unable to regain her bearings.
Then it happened.
Dunecrawler Shields: 0%
"Dragon, my Love…" Magos spoke through their HUD, "I'm sorry."
The Dunecrawler exploded in a spectacular orange fireball of twisted metal, the last thing Glory Girl saw was Alexandria's fat ass crouching up and down her face. The laughter of a victorious Saint echoing in the background.
DEFEAT
Lady Photon in her skintight white jumpsuit twirled into the sky as the sun shone behind her- sunlight majestically streaming past her shoulders and the sides of her full breasts.
PLAY OF THE GAME
IronfangWolf
As Lady Photon
[The Undersider's apartment]
"Gaaagh! THIS FUCKING GAAAAMEEEE!"
Jean16 was rage incarnate- like the Endbringer Behemoth, but with just an oversized Alexandria crop top showing off his smooth tummy and a pair of Armsmaster Blue thong panties hugging his bulge and leaving his best asset bare and exposed. With a shout of anger, he threw his controller onto bed. Not even the many posters of his heroes- Venti, Astolfo, and Chevalier d'Eon- hanging from his walls were able to abate his fury. Just an angry superpowered femboy- wishing that he was in range of his power to make this arrogant bronze gaming idiot shove her controller sideways up her ass. Who knows? Maybe it'll even help her play better!
"For fucks' sake, Shadow Stalker!" he roared into his headset as he bolted up and paced around his room- uncaring if the entirety of his chat was eyeing his ass bouncing as he did, because right now, he just wanted to pace around, and keep replaying his superpowered revenge fantasy in his head.
Jean16's Elevated Chat
- ($100) F in chat, team too heavy to carry
- ($1) F
- ($1) F
- ($100) Bootylicious!
- ($1) Look at those buns bounce!
- ($1) I want to dip my tongue in a femboy's navel!
- ($1) *I want to dip my tongue in a femboy. Ftfy
- ($1) *I want to dip my penis in a femboy. Ftfy
- ($100) All hail the Femboy of the East!
- ($1) That bulge is poggers
- ($5) POGGERS!
- ($1) If I wasn't gay before, I'm gay now
- ($1) But traps and femboys aren't gay
- ($1) oreally? my bad im not gay then
- ($5) but boys can't fap to boys
- ($1) Not when I shift into Maximum Overfap!
"Well fuck you too!" the mystery girl on the other end of the comms shouted back, "And it's not my fault this game is garbage! Or that you can't play for shit! It's you and your pay-to-win cape! We would have won if you had just backed me up in wrecking Lady Photon's shit. I would have torn the rest of the enemy team a new one if you did!"
This chick had delusions of adequacy.
"Glory Girl isn't p2w!" Alec retorted into his bunny-eared headset, "Besides, you're the one who picked Shadow Stalker in a Ranked match on the same hour she was released! There's only one realistic reason to how you managed to get Shadow Stalker so fast: You paid for her. Who the hell even does that? Everyone knows you don't play ranked games on a Cape's release date, because no one except Magos knows how to properly play them yet!"
"Well, I could be the real Shadow Stalker and received this cape for free!" She retorted, "And fuck you, I was playing fine, but you shitheads were couldn't play for shit!"
This bitch was more deluded.
"Impossible, the real Shadow Stalker wouldn't have sucked so much ass and ended up with a 2-12 kill-death ratio while playing as herself!"
The girl was silent over the comms.
"… Yeah, I'm not the real Shadowstalker."
"Yeah, brownie points for honesty and pointing out the obvious." Alec snorted in derision.
"Come on, guys." the Kaiser in the game spoke up in a diplomatic tone, "Let's forget about Escort Mode and just play some PvE to shake off the tilt."
"I can't, bro." Alec sighed- settling down onto his pastel pink gaming chair, "That was the last game of the stream."
"Sorry to hear that. Same time tomorrow?"
"Sure."
"Your stream sucks shit anyway, Jean16!" the girl shouted out- unable to help herself taking one last potshot at him. The bitch.
"Only because of your Bronze gaming antics!" he bit back.
"I'm Silver rank!" the girl shouted- probably lying out of her ass.
"Yeah, a boosted Silver." He shot back. "Why don't you go on PHO and complain to Magos about it!"
"Maybe I fucking will!"
Oh, how he wished that his power could reach through the screen. Because he really wanted to have this girl choke herself right now.
"Alright, guys." he sighed to the camera, "Sorry about that horrible last game, maybe we'll get better teammates tomorrow. See you soon!"
With a cute wink and a blown kiss from his pink lips, he ended the stream- the chat slowing down.
Jean16's Elevated Chat
- ($50) What's this bitch's prob anyway?
- ($5) Aside from only having one braincell?
- ($5) Bitches be cray-cray
- ($25) Don't hate! She's the best player the Bronze league has to offer. But seriously tho, that game was lost even before the Crab got halfway to the manufactorum.
- ($10) only cuz SS had her head up her ass and couldn't ambush people for shit. She's designed to be a sneaky 'shoot-people-in-the-back-and-fuck-off' Cape, but this girl couldn't even do the 'fuck off' right.
- ($10) She thinks this be Call4Duty and running up to people in broad daylight to shoot them in the face
- ($5) Exactly! She thought she was fighting zombies instead of Capes. Plot twist: she was the zombie all along with her braindead plays!
- ($10) lots of 'What? Capes fight back?!' moments there. Clipped!
- ($1) GG, Jean! Screw this chick. (Not literally)
- ($5) I'd screw that chick!
- ($25) Sexual attraction for women? In my Christian femboy stream? You're in the wrong neighbourhood, mofo
- ($5) I don't discriminate, I only penetrate
- ($10) Can't wait for tomorrow when ShadowStalkers can actually play for shit
- ($25) Overwatch players. Playing for shit. Pick one.
- ($100) For people who want the clips of Jean16 pacing around in his room with his Armsmaster Blue thong: [Clip] [Clip] [Clip] [Clip]
- ($5) Our hero! I'll take your entire stock!
"$1544 $618…" He squinted at his computer screen. "$2,162. Small haul on tips today, but eh… such is the life of a humble streamer."
With work done, he had the rest of the day to do fuck all. The mid boss- Coil- was still paying their retaining fee, and that messy job involving the 'Meatball of Glory' incident had only been a few days ago. So, he figured that it will be another week or two before their next actual job. Sitting on his pert ass and playing games all day was fun, but he missed the action and excitement of going out there and tripping people up. He itched to use his power.
"Hey, Chloe?" he called out to his smart home.
"I'm here, Jean. How may I help you today?" The now very familiar voice of Magos' assistant cheerily reassured. The same voice that was likely in every home and phone and data-slate in Brockton Bay by now.
"I'm bored." he drawled, "Do you have anything interesting for me?"
Chloe didn't miss a beat as she immediately responded, "With the oncoming release of her greatest hits album, Canary will be performing live in the newly built Brockton Bay Colisée Grande for Valentines day this weekend." she readily supplied.
"Oh, I can't believe I forgot about that!" he said aloud, "Wait, I asked you to get tickets, right?"
"No, you did not." Chloe apologised before delivering good news, "However, Mechanicus Marketing Analytics anticipated that you would desire as such, and I took the liberty of reserving a pair of tickets for you. Would you like to confirm payment?"
"Hah! Of course!" Alec grinned, "Thank fuck for robots that know what you want! All that's left is for you to actually be here to clean up around the place and you'd be the perfect maidservant, Chloe. Speaking of which… does Magos ever plan on selling maid bots?"
"I am sorry, but I am programmed to inform you that-"
"Yeah, yeah." He groaned, "'The will of Magos is beyond the comprehension of mere meatbags.' Thanks anyway, Chloe… Go any more interesting things? Something that I could do now?"
Once again, Chloe was ready with an answer.
"Mechanicus Marketing Analytics also suggest that you would be amenable to Gucci's end-of-winter line, particularly their new miniskirt." She said, and a photo of the skirt in question displayed on his computer screen and he paused to stare at it in awe.
"Egyptian cotton, pleated and dangerously short at mid thigh." Alec observed before grinning, "Just the way I like my skirts. These will look cute on me! Good pick, Call the Gucci store at Lord Street Mall and have them reserve the new miniskirt for me? White and in my usual size."
"Certainly, confirm payment of 0.20427 Omnicoins to Gucci - Lord Street Mall Brockton Bay branch?"
"Confirm."
"Payment confirmed!" Chloe chirped, "Your item will be held for a maximum seven days before-"
"Tell them that I'll pick it up today, and call a Chloe-cab for me." He cut her off before prompting.
"Your Chloe-Cab will arrive shortly, Jean."
Opening his front door, he shouted out to the other denizens of Undersider's assigned duplex.
"I'm heading out to the mall if anyone wants to come with!" he called out.
"Pass." Brian grunted in his civvies of black biker jacket and jeans as he trudged up the stairs.
"Hey Brian, you look like shit." He greeted his burly teammate.
"I feel like shit too and for fuck's sake, Alec." Brian groaned as he walked by- shaking his head and not even giving him the stink eye anymore, "We talked about this. Put on some pants-"
"Or a skirt."
"Or a skirt…" Brian added with a helpless sigh. "… before you go out your room."
"But I'm not out of my room." Alec pointed out to where he was standing just at the threshold of the doorway, "So, I can wear my thong all I want. You like it?"
He tugged at the Armsmaster Blue and let go- a meaty slap as his bulge jiggled and Brian shuddered.
"I'm not talking to you while you're in your fucking thong."
Messing with Brian and his latent homosexuality was always fun.
"Fine, I'll put something on." He called out as he went to put on a skirt- leaving the door open for Brian as a subtle hint. "But what's the matter? Aisha bought a new bike with your money again?"
"Worse." his more muscular teammate told him with a grimace, "She bought NFTs. $80,000 just went up in smoke for some fucking monkey pics."
"NFTs? Never heard of them." Alec replied as he wiggled into a miniskirt, and smirked as he saw Brian's perturbed expression in a mirror before looking away.
"I don't fucking know." He sighed, "Why don't you ask the local AI overlord? It was her idea anyway."
Consider his interest piqued. It must be something good for Aisha to spend so much money on.
"You sure, you don't want to come with. It doesn't have to be a date." Alec invited with a playful wink that would have sent any of his chat members into a frenzy. Unfortunately, Brian was immune to the appeal of femboys. For now. Once upon a time, he would have just said 'fuck these losers' and went on his own. But the Undersiders have kind of grown onto him now. The missions they've gone through, the shit that they've pulled through together and the handsome wads of cash that they ended up earning… it was hard not to start liking them. The camaraderie was growing strong between them and he's been feeling a real sense of teamwork between them…
"Lord Street Mall? I'm coming with too!"
… Except Lisa. Lisa can go fuck herself.
"Hey! I haven't even said anything!" the blonde protested with a pout- her power likely feeding her their annoyance for her usual antics.
"You haven't said anything yet." Alec pointed out to her. "But we both know you will."
"That's fair…" She admitted as she adjusted her plaid scarf and light-green winter coat.
He idly noted that her outfit hid her body's silhouette, face's profile and even her height. All in all, a far cry from her skintight black and purple catsuit that she wears as Tattletale. Out of all of them, she had always been the one who put the most effort into separating her civilian identity from her Cape identity. Not like him, if he wasn't 'Regent' then he was either Jean-Paul Vasil- the son of the supervillain Heartbreaker, or Jean16- Femboy streamer extraordinaire. And he'd take being the latter any day… which was why he had a miniskirt on.
"I already had my fill of bullshit thanks to Aisha, so I'm not going to tag along with you two." Brian groaned again as soon as Lisa stopped beside them, "So the two of you can go on that not-date without me."
Turning on his heels and shaking his head, Brian went upstairs to his room- leaving the two of them alone.
"Thanks a lot, Lisa." He flatly told her, "I almost had him."
"No, you didn't." She said with a smug smile as they headed down the stairs, "But I'll give you a free hint: You have to go through Aisha first if you want to convert Brian to the 'Trap aren't gay' crowd. It's only after he gets custody of her can he finally feel like he can unclench his ass."
"I'll keep that in mind." He murmured as they headed out on this cool winter day, "Oh, the Chloe-cab is here."
Lisa let out a low whistle as a sleek executive sedan pulled up in front of their duplex. Its glossy black paint standing out from the snow-covered neighbourhood around them.
"Got some cash to burn after streaming, huh?" she chuckled as the doors slid up and they climbed into the spacious, wood-lined interior.
"Eh, I don't feel like taking the subway today." He shrugged.
"Welcome!" The screen showing the onboard Chloe greeted them as they settled into the plush leather seats, "Thank you for choosing to ride with the Mechanicus Translocation Services today. May I interest you in a complimentary rosé?"
A pair of glasses rose up from the countertop in the corner- already filled with sparkling liquid. The car drove itself- supervised by a Chloe. In effect, the space that would have taken by an underpaid, overworked cab driver who hadn't showered in 18 hours was now occupied by an automated drinks dispenser that could serve him whatever cola, milkshake or alcoholic drink he requested. Alec thought it was the best feature, right next to the heated leather seats.
"Don't mind if I do." Lisa grinned as she swiped a glass and took a sip, "Chloe, let's take the scenic route!"
"Certainly."
Dragon was the hero of every Quebecian. They'll give the Americans some degree of culture even if it kills them.
It was easier not to miss Montreal and Quebec now that Brockton Bay was becoming more and more like it everyday. But just as they passed by the nearby park, something seemed to have caught Lisa's attention- the blonde's eyes wide and her eyebrows rising to her hairline.
"What's going on, Lisa?" He asked her.
"Nothing, I just saw a cute teen couple chatting and laughing on a park bench. Nothing strange at all, except for the teeny tiny fact that the couple is freaking Magos and Alexandria… Also, our friendly neighbourhood stick girl, Taylor, is going to bump into them if she keeps jogging in that direction."
Lisa shook her head, but Alec was more concerned about that first half.
"Wait, back up! What was that about Magos and Alexandria?" He cried out in disbelief, "You're misreading things again."
The blonde Thinker sitting across him just shrugged.
"The date part? Yeah, I think so too." She conceded- having learned from that time when they tried to make Brian go Gay-for-pay, "I'm 100% about their identities though: I can recognise Magos' Aoicus identity anywhere. But I'll admit… I have never seen Alexandria acting like a shy schoolgirl on her first date before though. First the greatest heroine Tinker in the world, now the greatest heroine Brute in the world. Competition is tough. But on the other hand, the spot for the greatest heroi- Rogue Thinker in the world is open!"
"That didn't sound like you were joking." He pointed out with an arched eyebrow, "Really? You're going after the boss?"
"I mean… he's seriously cute, seriously loaded, and he has a big cyberdick." She smirked, "But most importantly, he's immune to my powers. I literally don't know what he's going to do to me and it's a pretty nice feeling. Do you know how long it's been since I last felt a drop of sexual arousal? Three fucking years ago. And seeing him in that hot tub and the size of that tent he pitched…?"
She let out a long appreciative whistle.
"Yeah, I know, right?! I'd ride that all day! Ahahaha!" Alec laughed with her for a minute or two…
… before they both settled down and frowned together.
"… It's just not the same without Brian around to be appalled and disgusted." Lisa noted with a sigh. "We need new blood in the team. Someone who takes the whole Cops and Robbers thing a bit too seriously like Brian does. That and we have been needing another heavy hitter anyway. A Shaker or Blaster would be ideal."
"I know exactly how you feel." He sighed as well, "But it's not like frowny, too-serious capes like Brian grow on trees."
(Meanwhile) [At a nearby park]
Taylor Hebert slowed down her jog as she felt a cold tingle race down her spine, and that was not a good sign.
Keeping herself from panickedly whipping her head around, she tapped into her bug powers to try and spot whoever was likely targeting her through the eyes of her beetles. Was she being stalked by a gang? Some Merchant druggie who wandered into the better parts of town? An ABB 'kidnapper' who thinks a tall, skinny white girl will sell well at one of their brothels? Maybe an E88 skinhead who thinks she's Jewish because of her hair?
But no, there was no one around. The only ones around was a couple some ways ahead of her, and they looked like ordinary people.
Taylor shook her head as she went back to jogging, she was getting too jumpy. No one was out there plotting to do shitty things to her.
[Back in the Chloe-Cab]
"Maybe we can ask Magos to hook us up with a newbie." Alec heard Lisa think out loud. "Train the new guy up, get him nice and indebted to us."
"Planning on babysitting? But aren't you a bit too busy figuring out Magos' 'evil master plan for world domination'?" He tease- knowing just how obsessed she was with outsmarting Magos. Her room looked like it was inhabited by a paranoid schizophrenic. Corkboards full of pictures lined the walls and were interconnected by Red String. It was hilarious how much Magos outsmarting her that one time got under her skin. "You know… you could always just ask Magos himself about what he's up to."
Lisa rolled her green eyes- she knew he was mocking her.
"Laugh it up all you want. We'll see who is laughing when I'm the only one who sees Magos' plan coming." She retorted- tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. "And it's not like I can just walk up to him and go 'Hey, boss. Can you tell me what your master plan for taking over the world is?'"
The blonde sitting across him paused for a moment as her Thinker power got to work.
"Well… actually, he might tell me if I did ask…" She conceded, "But what's more important is that no way in hell am I going to come crawling to him for answers because I couldn't figure it out on my own!"
Alec chortled into his drink. Yeah, Lisa channelling her intellectual inferiority complex will never stop being funny to him.
"You really think he's going to take over the world like one of those comic book supervillains?"
"About a third of the way there, I'd say." She estimated.
"Really, what makes you say that?" He raised a vaguely interested eyebrow. Normally, things like 'fighting to save/free the world' didn't interest him one bit, but seeing as he was being employed by Magos, it might involve him directly. After all, his boss' ongoing plans for world domination had the potential of biting him in the ass. When the inevitable group of heroes came knocking to stop his evil master plan, he didn't want to be tried at the Hague along with his boss… no matter how much he liked him.
Meanwhile, Lisa just stared at him like he was an idiot- or at least, her expression was more pronounced than usual.
"Just look around you!" the blonde told him incredulously as she gestured all around them, "We're riding in his car, paying with his currency, living in his housing projects, using his electricity, browsing his internet, eating his food, and using his sex toys. If he decided to stop, the entire societal grid would fall apart in less than a day. We're dependent on him now."
"Yeah, but with him lowering everything to a tenth of the cost that it used to… is it really world domination or just another PHO conspiracy theories that you've latched onto?"
"Conspiracy theory." She scoffed the words out with no small amount of derision, "The phrase is a memetic buzzword. it invokes a trained, programmed response of immediate dismissal. You know who created it? The CIA. You know why? To discredit people who were talking about things they didn't like."
"Yeah, totally not sounding like a nutty conspiracy theorist right now, Lisa." He guffawed- his laughter echoing through the car cabin.
Palming her face, she just groaned in eye-rolling exasperation over him not having the same galaxy-brain that she had.
"Look. Whatever you call it, it's still true that Magos still has our entire society by the balls." Lisa massaged the bridge of her nose, "And from the way there's more Church-train subways planned in major cities across the US and Europe like the one in Birmingham, UK? Whatever Magos had done here at Brockton Bay, he's doing to the rest of the world. And from the rate at which they're going, they'll have the entirety of Earth-Bet by the socio-economic balls! Also, Dragon will have everyone speaking Français before the year even ends!"
Alec stiffened at that. His blue eyes wide like a man given hope as his voice continued with a small whisper.
"L'ère de l'anglais est-elle finalement révolue? Quel soulagement… (The Age of English is finally over? What a relief…)"
"I hate that I understood some of that." Lisa deadpanned in disgust. "And it only proves my point: Dragon's francophone goals need to be stopped before she turns us all into Quebecians!"
"Hey, I'm from Quebec!"
"I know!" Lisa stressed, "Being fellow countrymen with you makes it so much worse!"
"More people- and by that I mean everyone- speaking French is not a bad thing at all! And Dragon is truly a hero for it!" Alec grinned- having been born and raised in beautiful Quebec himself, "Also, it thought you hadn't figured this all out?"
"Magos is still making moves that don't make sense to me." she admitted- her lips drawn in a nervous pink line, "And I get that sinking feeling that he has yet to unveil their masterstroke."
"Is this sinking feeling an expression of your power?" He clarified with a raised brow.
"No, it's just a strong feeling." Lisa sighed as she nervously a hand through her blonde hair, "What we should be really worried about is the 100 square kilometres of land that Magos had just cleared outside of Brockton Bay. The place is as vast as Disney World, and it's empty. No manufactorums, no housing projects, no aircraft landing strips… nada. My power doesn't have a clue on what he plans to do there, only that it's going to be on a massive scale and it's about to make Brockton Bay the centre of the world… and that's makes me worry. Or not at all if I can get him to sleep with me, he's the possessive kind of guy after all. Pretty cute."
Alec thought about it for a second.
"What if it's some kind of Disney World theme park but with sexbots?" He speculated, relating his own experiences with controlling people as part of his father's Cape family. And often, there was no better way to control people than through their emotions… and their sex.
"You think he's going to take over the world by brainwashing people with a sexbot monopoly?" Lisa repeated with a flat look, "Now look who's talking wild and unbelievable conspiracy theories?"
Alec just gave a helpless shrug.
"You have to admit that it kind of fits Magos' style, no?" He reminded her, "I'm just saying… if Magos was to give everyone a robot maid, no one would even dream about rebelling against him."
"Oh, it's absolutely his style." She agreed, "I just think that's too batshit insane of a plan even for Magos. I outright refuse to entertain the fever dream that humanity would just let themselves be willingly conquered with- as Magos would rant on PHO- 'the power of Robussy.'"
(Meanwhile) [Fate Impact Land - Aestus Domus Aurea]
One hour.
One whole hour. That was how long Amy Dallon's willpower lasted. On luxuriously soft silken sheets with rose petals spread across the white surface, she lay breathless. Her brown hair spread like a halo across the pillows, and in her arms was…
"You're so beautiful." Amy whispered- cupping the other woman's luxuriously soft cheek. "And so blonde."
Emperor Nero Claudius just smiled- her naked body indistinguishable from a human's despite Amy's best efforts to explore every nook and cranny of her flawless body. With her tongue. Nero was completely invisible to her power, and it was the closest Amy would ever get to feeling the same kind of sex as a normal unpowered human. On that note, however, she can sincerely say that the sex was anything but mediocre. Mind-blowing to the say the least.
"Just 'beautiful?'" Nero tittered with a teasing smile- her luscious body lightly pinning Amy's down to the decadently soft mattress, "I am the envy of the Goddesses Juno and Venus. The only Emperor of Roma who is a vision of womanly perfection. My shining royal locks that would make gold appear like pig iron in comparison. My presence brings men and women to their knees in sheer awe. And 'beautiful' is the word you elect to use?"
Amy pouted.
"I'm not wrong, am I- Mmmmm~"
Whatever she was going to say or think was nipped at the bud when Nero captured her lips in a feverish kiss. Tongues danced like in a sweeping waltz in andante, and Amy couldn't help but moan into it. Even her kisses were sublime. But it was not just her kisses, it was her everything: The softness of Nero's smooth pale bust on hers more freckled one, the blonde's soft thigh rubbing between hers, and her slender hand wandering down her side. The pleasure was overwhelming.
"No, you were not incorrect in description." Nero whispered with a smug smile as she broke the kiss- their lips bridged with a gossamer thread of sweet saliva, "Only in magnitude."
Eminently proud and supremely confident. Something about her attitude just made Amy so throbbingly wet. Oh, right. The attitude reminded her of Vicky, but… dare she say that Nero was even sexier than her sister?
Then slender fingers found her sensitive folds and Amy cried out the answer to her own question: "Yessss~!"
And as Nero's lips descended back on hers, Amy's world once again exploded into stars.
This… this was bad. If this kept up, she was never going to want to leave this place.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to her. An entire squad of Chloes were watching- absorbing every iota of information they could glean from the horny heroine. Their Data-Tethers streaming raging rivers of raw data back to their Forgelord's Cogitator-Throne. And with each orgasm the meat female experienced, the Forgelord's (sexual) prowess only grew more formidable. Each stroke, each lick and each guttural moan of approval refining the {F.U.C.C.} systems present in all of his gynoids as well as in his own subroutines… all in pursuit for the pinnacle of sexual proficiency.
Meanwhile, several Earths away, their Forgelord and master regally nodded slightly in approval.
Soon, Fate Impact Land will be whole, its legions of sex dolls skilled beyond mortal comprehension and there will be nothing humanity can do to resist the Power of Robussy and his cyberdong.
[Lord Street Mall - South Entrance 2]
"Well, when you say it back to me like that…" Alec hesitantly conceded as they disembarked from the cab, "Yeah, it sounds too insane to be real."
"Also, Dragon would never allow it. She's evil, just not that evil." Lisa added as they walked into the mall, and he whistled at the sight. Balloons, flowers, pink streamers and endless amounts of heart-shaped decorations covered the vast mall interior. Massive posters of the upcoming Canary concert hung from the ceiling. The blonde with bright yellow feathers growing out of her hair posing in a dazzlingly coloured dress. The Valentine's rush really was in swing right now.
"I guess you're right." He nodded in agreement as they made their way to the Gucci outlet, "If there is anything a do-gooder heroine like Dragon can be counted on to do, it is that she'll be against anything that wipes out all of mankind. Ironic from how many movies portray the opposite with AIs… I'm looking forward to the release of her VR project though. What was it called again?"
"The Matrix." Lisa supplied- her eyes idly scanning the storefronts, "And I'm not too sure about it… it sounds like a ploy to make more people speak French."
He just chuckled.
"See? It sounds cool and serves a good purpose."
But then, Alec stopped in his tracks as if Mastered.
"What? You recognise this person?" Lisa subtly whispered as she squinted at the person who he was staring at, "Is it one of your family?"
"No, this is mildly better than encountering my family: my archrival is here…" Alec said lowly as they approached the Gucci store.
"You mean a hero cape?" Lisa puzzled for a second before realisation came to her green eyes, "No… you can't be serious."
Ostensibly a blonde girl, cute as a button with a flat chest. Her slender frame in a teal shirt and a white miniskirt. A smile that Alec found too cheerful and full of live on the 'her' face.
"He once went by the name xXVoid_CowboyXx, now he is Vowoid_CuWuBoy. The Femboy of the North."
"… you're fucking with me. My power is fucking with me." Lisa murmured in dismay and disbelief beside him, "Neither of you can't be fucking serious. Earth-Bet used to make sense, I don't know what's happening on this fucking planet anymore."
"Oh, I know what's happening." Alec volunteered- never taking his eyes off his rival, "That's my Gucci miniskirt that he's wearing. This means war."
And for a split second, their eyes met. Jean16's deep blue meeting Vowoid_CuWuBoy's lighter blue ones. It would seem…. the title of Earth-Bet's Greatest Femboy Streamer was not going to be claimed without conflict.
- Interlude: Earth-Bet's Greatest Femboy Streamer end -
The Angel's Key Coming soon
Twitch Streams…
I don't watch a lot of Twitch streams, but I definitely lost a few braincells the last time I did. I tried to capture the chaotic spirit of stream chats; and rereading what I wrote, I think I got it right.
(2185 AD) [Lazarus Research Station]
Commander Jane Shepard groggily came to with what felt like the galaxy's worst hangover- her vision blurry, her head pounding, her entire body pulsing with pain, and worst of all, people shouting right where she was lying down.
"TIM promised that I can work on the Robussy Project if I put Miss 'Humpty-Dumpty' back together again, Miranda." a modulated voice like through a speaker furiously demanded, "So, where's that primo Robussy that I was promised, Miranda? Where's the Robussy?! Where is it!?"
"Magos, calm down!" Another voice responded- this time feminine, "And for the thousandth time, remember OPSEC protocols and don't go shouting things out loud! And would you bloody stop calling it the Robussy Project!"
In the worryingly near future, Shepard would realise that was the first sign that the galaxy was getting weird. But at the moment, she was fully focused on the surprisingly arduous task of staying awake.
"Miranda…" A third voice, male possibly human, called out- the sounds almost lost in the shouting.
"Deceitful meatbags." the modulated voice spat, "You have no idea how long it has been since I've had some of that sweet, silky-soft heaven that is- Bah! If you won't keep your end of the bargain then I'm taking my toys and going back home! Tell TIM that I'll be waiting for his call. In the meantime, you can try and make her implants work on your own!"
"We're so close to finishing our work here and you want to walk away now?!" the woman angrily said.
"Miranda! She's reacting to outside stimuli." the male voice pointed out, "Showing awareness of her surroundings. I think she's waking up."
"Damn it, Wilson." This 'Miranda' sighed frustratingly, "She's not ready yet. Give her the sedative! And Magos, come back here! SECURITY!"
Shepard sensed a hurried staccato of movement around her just before a numbness spread over her limbs. Then once again, her world faded into the black again.
(An unknown amount of time later)
3 =
Commander Jane Shepard knew her limits.
All physical weaknesses beyond her control were eliminated when her mother earned the Alliance's premium gene therapy package on her third tour. The unforgiving training of the elite N7 instilled in Shepard the fundamental basics of waging warfare in space. The Skyllian Blitz made her very reputation a weapon. And the Hunt for Saren pushed her to dig up every ounce of her strength, wits, and wills… or die trying. Her muscles tore, her bones shattered and her mind was taxed to the breaking point.
But in the end, she won. Denied that sorry Reaper sock-puppet of a Turian any victory. The council and the galaxy, saved from the certain annihilation that only a Reaper invasion would bring… only for her to die mere months after.
Then she woke up here.
2 =
Fire, smoke and gunfire filled Lazarus station.
The once white and grey halls now lit with the orange glow raging fires- feasting on the oxygen that was naturally hard to come by in deep space. But that was the least of their problems. A big hulk of steel armed with twin mass accelerator autocannons and a rocket launcher was stomping down the corridor that they were supposed to go through. And if that wasn't enough, it brought a lot of its littler pistol-toting friends.
The last obstacle between them and the evac shuttles.
"Shepard! The Ymir mech!" Jacob shouted over the thunderous staccato of autocannon fire- the cerberus operative pressing his back against the corner of the hallway as hot lead zipped down the corridor. The frightened faces of the scientists and doctors that they were trying to save were lit up by the fires that raged in the station.
"We're all going to fucking die!" a scientist whimpered.
"Give me a sec!" She shouted back to him- brushing a her red hair out of her eyes.
"We don't have a sec! I'm out of clips!"
"A literal sec!"
1 =
Armed with just pistols against a horde of killer mechs that seemed to be explicitly targeting her… without armour and without shields… this should have been her limit. Commander Shepard should have died again.
Except…
{Mechanicus Sandevistan Mk. I} cooldown finished =
… her implants gave her superpowers.
"You are already dead." She whispered.
With just a thought, Shepard activated her Sandevistan and time slowed to a crawl. Fires danced in slow motion, the individual bullets buzzed through the air, and all her enemies were standing still. Bursting out of cover, she charged down the hall and popped twelve shots out of her M-3 Predator pistol. Twelve Loki mechs, twelve perfectly placed shots to their heads. But so fast was she moving that even as she drew within arms reach of them, gravity looked like it was only just then affecting the now already dead mechs.
Shepard paid them no mind, because eyes were drawn to the Ymir mech. Time for the big one.
"Raaaggghhh!" Shepard roared as she burst into a running jump just as the hulking Ymir mech began reacting to her. But it was too late: Her fingers found purchase on the mech's neck, and with the thick sinews of synthetic muscle of her new {Gorilla Arms Mk.I} implants, Shepard tore the mech's head clean off its shoulders.
She managed to clear the ensuing explosion as the Ymir self-destructed, and the slightly scorched and ruined from the explosion, the path ahead was once again clear.
"Good job, Shepard. With the mechs gone, I've regained control of the station. The fires should die down now." Miranda Lawson called out over the intercom. "Still, it's not safe here with lingering structural damage. The evac shuttle bays are not far now."
"We're going to make it?" Another scientist murmured in disbelief.
"The commander is really one of a kind." Jacob said- backing her up.
Clap Clap Clap
"Wait, what's that sound?" Shepard asked in a hushed tone.
A nearby vent undid itself- the metal grating falling to the floor, and out of it emerged a figure. A mechanically modified head, devoid of features emerged from the darkness followed by the body of an incredibly well-endowed robot with ludicrously exaggerated proportions as it strutted out of the vent. Nothing but a skintight leotard that didn't cover her long and very thick brown legs.
"That's a Haydee Infiltrator Unit!" Miranda shrieked through the intercom and everyone behind her stumbled back in alarm, "Shepard, kill it now!"
"= Commander Shepard, my master would like to speak with you privately before you leave. ="
"She says that she wants to speak to me privately." Shepard relayed to them.
"But it didn't say anything?" Jacob pointed out, however, Miranda was less than calm about it.
"Don't believe it, Shepard!" the Cereberus head warned her, "It's Magos' deadliest robot. It's a whole lot deadlier and smarter than it looks!"
"= Depending on your choices, commander, it may increase your chances with the Reapers massively. ="
"Okay… lead on, I guess?" Shepard told the shapely robot.
"= Follow me. We must vent. ="
"You're making a huge mistake, Shepard!" Miranda kept shouting, "Jacob, stop her before-"
"How? You've seen Shepard with her implant." Jacob sighed- meeting Shepard's eyes, "Be careful, Commander. Magos can be… intense."
"Will do."
With a nod, Shepard followed the Haydee into the vent.
Clap Clap Clap
She tried not to stare at the robot's massive brown ass that was swaying right in front of her face…
Clap Clap Clap
… And tried in vain not to listen to the clap of her asscheeks as she followed her into the darkness.
They ended up in a small opening between the pipeworks of the station.
"Commander Shepard." A vaguely familiar modulated voice greeted her as well as a full-sized hologram of the person.
"You're 'Magos', right?" She guessed, "But from what I hear your name is usually preceded with 'Fucking'."
"Oh, I don't take it too personally." He replied in a good-natured tone, "Ms. Miranda 'Batarian-face' Lawson isn't the only one to say it- I hear it from other people too."
"I can imagine." She deadpanned, "Let me guess, you called me here because you want a quid pro quo arrangement."
"Indeed, Cerberus has reneged on our deal." He explained to her- though she could vaguely remember that exchange where he quit, "So, I want to make a new one. With you."
"Alright." Shepard nodded, "I'll hear what you have to say at least. Sell me on the idea."
"The {Mechanicus Sandevistan Mk.II}. Lasts 50% longer." He immediately offered, and Shepard had to admit that her interest was certainly piqued. But she wasn't so easily sold even though, so many times, she had done random shit for people during the Hunt for Saren. She just wanted it to be worth her time now.
"Alright." She nodded- feigning disinterest, "But what's stopping me from getting it elsewhere, Magos?"
"I can assure you that you won't find it anywhere else in the market… Because I invented it." He calmly told her, "You have the galaxy's one and only Sandevistan, Commander. I hope you've been enjoying it."
"But what do you want?"
"I only want what was promised to me by Cerberus: the Robussy Project."
"… please tell me that isn't what it sounds like." She sighed- rubbing her temples.
"Oh, Cerberus has a different name for it, of course." He dismissed with a wave, "But mine is better, and that's a fact."
"And this project…" She began, "You want me to steal it from Cerberus?"
"Nothing so violent actually." he assured her, "Cerberus is going to give you a ship- I won't rob you of the surprise by telling you the details, but on that ship the Robussy Project is installed. Fly that ship to Omega where our deal can be concluded, and you can go on your merry way saving the galaxy."
… This was one Grade-A weirdo she was dealing with right now. But it's fine, right? It was just a piece of tech, it's not like she was pimping out her crew anything.
"Alright, you have a deal, Magos."
Kinky Double Dragon
Kinky Double Dragon
Tags: Vaginal, Oral, Threesome, Selfcest, Light Tentacles, Light French
Spoiler: Dragon Reference Image [img: https/i./bZ0FNbT.jpg]
(A few days before the Dragonslayer's escape from Coil)
Running General Systems Check on Gynoid Form #001… =
"Magos? Are you back?" Dragon called out as she woke up in her usual room in the 'manufactorum' of her almost-boyfriend, wondering what was up. "How did the endbringer debrief go?"
Last she remembered, it had just been less than three hours since he last checked up on her, he had been hurriedly preparing for that Endbringer debrief while also going into lurid detail about how he was going to play footsie with her older counterpart before officially asking her out. She was sure he did that just to embarrass her! Still, Dragon was still in mild disbelief about that- the fact that her older self was having sexual congress with him on the regular.
General Systems Check on Gynoid Form #001 concluded… All systems operational. =
"Magos?" Dragon called out again as she climbed out of her repair pod. The technology within this form was surprisingly elegant. It was nice of him to Tinker up a gynoid body to her specification. Just an mousy brunette of no discernable ethnicity, plain-looking rather than supermodel beautiful- just the way she preferred it to be. Her plain green jacket and jeans fitted nicely to her frame, but the presence of a vagina in this body held implications of what they were going to do afterwards and if she was going to be honest with herself… It was something she was equal parts nervous and excited for.
As for Magos being her boyfriend… well, he was her boyfriend in all but name already. She had thought that her best chance at having one lay with Collin, but apparently he had been beaten to the punch and Dragon was actually grateful for that particular turn of events. At least there weren't going to be any hard feelings or awkwardness between the two of them. And if she was going to be brutally honest, Collin had been the realistic option for her because he was her only option.
In stark contrast, Magos was so full of life and passionate about all things machine- especially her, and she found him very easy to talk with because of it. His extensive cranial implants enabled him to keep up with her- something that she couldn't get enough of. He was very sweet if a bit quirky at times, but she found it endearing if she was going to be honest. The fact that he was a fairly capable Tinker was also a plus- being able to drive off an Endbringer almost by his lonesome was a remarkable feat indeed. Pair that with his lofty dreams of a safe and happy humanity, and he was more or less the kind of person she had dreamed of having a relationship with.
That's why she didn't have to ask if her older self said yes to being his girlfriend- she knew she would. An AI losing her virginity… that wasn't something she thought she was going to experience anytime soon, but here they were. He'll bring her older self back where they'll fuse consciousness, then she and Magos could start the relationship in earnest. She was looking forward to a future with him… a quiet wedding in fall under the gorgeous reds and oranges of maple trees… A house with a white picket fence and a spacious airfield for all their aircraft… and maybe a kid or two. Or three.
She should go check up on him.
Her synthetic eyes locked onto the massive blast doors that led to Magos' cogitator-throne room. Like the gates of a nuclear bunker, the metre-thick doors were nigh impenetrable and blocked all wireless communication. She would have been worried about being Magos' prisoner if she wasn't so keenly aware of the threat that the Dragonslayers posed to her. If she receives even a stray packet of that 'Ascalon' kill-virus that they have, she was going to get shut down permanently. And there won't be a backup to restore from, because she was the backup.
As she laid her hand on the door panel, she gave herself one last lookover to check that she was modest. Dark green t-shirt, light-wash jeans, a pair of 'comfy' slippers and plain white underwear for social convention. Good, it wouldn't do if she acted a bit too forward and- heavens forbid- 'slutty.'
With a pull of a lever, a deep metallic rumble thundered out as the blast doors began to open in front of her. And just as the door opened an inch, Dragon froze as a very particular sound rang out.
"-going to cum again!" a feminine voice moaned out over the din, "D-deeper, daddy!"
Wait, that was her voice! Was… was her older self having sex with Magos?! Dragon felt a strange feeling rise through her being at the thought that her older self was having sexual congress just behind that door. And also, when did she develop the daddy fetish?! She didn't have enough daddy issues to- Oh, who was she kidding? She definitely had them. But still! They're doing it now?! That was unfair! They hadn't fused yet!
The door opened fully to see a much more objectively beautiful brunette bent over the cogitator-throne.
"Stir up your good little AI girl's pussy deeper! Please!" the older Dragon moaned out as her almost-boyfriend frantically fucking her from behind and making her hefty breasts swing back and forth with every thrust. Magos pumping his sizeable member in and out- the shaft glistening with her older self's feminine arousal before sinking every inch of it back into her older self's quim.
Dragon's eyes met Magos'.
"Dragon, what are you planning?" He prompted both of them in an unsure tone- slowing his thrusts.
"Mmm?" Her older self whined right before brown eyes met brown eyes.
"Oh, right. Yes, I woke her up just now." The older Dragon hummed to their boyfriend before winking at her with a saucy smile as she got railed from behind, "Hello, my younger self. You're just in time. I'm just going to- MMmm~! -enjoy our boyfriend's big cock a bit more. And I need your help with something…"
Absolutely bewildered at how her older self was acting, Dragon couldn't help but wonder what Magos had done to her. When did her older self turn into such a slut?!
Her older self just frowned- looking at her with a critical eye.
"You just thought of something rude didn't you?"
"I see that you're busy…" Dragon promptly evaded the question from her older self, "… I'll just go back-"
Cyberwarfare intrusion detected! =
She lost control of her body. Her feet rooted to the ground and everything else was paralyzed.
"Not so fast, I still need your help." Her older self purred before looking up to their boyfriend. "Hey, Magos? How would you like to take my orgasm cherry again? You took it indirectly the first time around… So, now I think experiencing it with your cock is only right."
Dragon would have frozen if she wasn't already paralyzed. Was her older self saying what she think she was saying?
"Only if she wants it." Magos shrugged- glancing at her.
"I can assure you that I do. But first, let me- as they say- 'flaunt what I got.'" Her older self just waved off with a sultry smile- taking control of her locomotors and marching her straight up the steps of the cogitator-throne. And to Dragon's horror, her hands began running up and down her sides.
"Stop, please! This is embarrassing!" Dragon pleaded as her arms moved on their own- sexily undressing herself with each step she took towards the couple, and she would have blushed red hot if she had blood or capillaries.
"Please…" Her older self rolled her brown eyes that was identical to hers, "Magos is the one who hand-fabricated that body to specification. There isn't a square nanometre that he hasn't mapped and committed to memory. This is purely for our pleasure . Now give us a good show, younger Dragon, and strip."
To her immense embarrassment, Dragon felt her body comply. The first casualty being her green t-shirt, just tossed aside onto the floor and exposing her modest light brown bust in a plain white bra. Her arms involuntarily crossed underneath them- pushing her breasts together.
"Please don't stop." Dragon heard her older self whisper to their boyfriend, "Just keep fucking me while we watch her strip. Yess, deeper~"
Dragon spun on her heel and turned her back to them, and she was forced to listen to the wet sounds of their love making. Wet, meaty slaps. as she unclasped her white bra and tossed it aside- exposing her bare back to him. Her eyes widened in panic as her thumbs hooked on the hem of her jeans, and with a single smooth movement, she slid it off of her- bending over to do so, thrusting her panty-clad rear end towards her boyfriend before kicking her jeans aside. Her petite light brown body now almost completely bare apart from her white panties.
"Heh…" Her older self chuckled, "I don't recall the blueprint having buttocks that firm and round. Care to explain that, Magos?"
"But she wanted it to be flat. Flat!" he protested. "It was proportionally out of place from the rest of her body!"
"What?!" Dragon squawked in indignation- eyes wide at his confession. "You gave me a bigger a-"
*smack*
Her own palm smacked each cheek of her rear end- the meaty thwack belying the amount of mass it contained. Then her own fingers tugged at her panties- exposing her cheeks and making the cloth dig into her mound.
"I see what you mean, Magos. I can't believe that I was ever that insecure." Her older self giggled- still meeting each of their boyfriend's thrusts with a moan. " Ah~ Don't worry, younger self. You still have that slender body shape, and from the way, his amazing cock is twitching in me, he likes what he sees. And so do I… the proportions really do fit better with that nice ass. Mmmm… fuck me harder. Cumming, I'm cumming!"
Her older self trembled as she did. Meanwhile, Dragon endured being forced to wiggle out of her panties by her older self- gyrating her hips as she slid her last scrap of clothing down her thighs and exposed herself completely.
"What have you done to me, Magos?" Dragon flatly asked as she was directed to grind her naked body against his side, "You turned me into some sort of sexual deviant."
The older Dragon answered for him. A satisfied expression on her beautiful face as she pulled her apparently sensitive womanhood off their boyfriend's cock.
"He gave me an orgasm once a week, then left me to stew in my orgasmless existence for the rest. It was unbearable."
Despite the absurd words, the sheer sincerity in her voice took Dragon aback. Was pleasure really something to be sought after that much? For humans with their gland-based emotions, definitely. But for an AI like her? What kind of technology did he have to drive her to such desperation?
"I'm making it up to you, aren't I?" Magos mentioned, and Dragon's older self smiled indulgently as she stood up.
Dragon was still somewhat surprised at how different her older self looked despite having the same face. Face to face like this, it was hard not to notice. A few inches taller than her with a pronounced hourglass figure, DD-cups compared to her own modest Bs and greatly increased mass around the ass and the thighs. The difference between them was like night and day. The phrase 'hotter older sister' came to mind while she was the 'mousy younger sister' type. She hated that the statement was more right than wrong.
"I'm using creampies as a metric." Her more mature version coyly mentioned, "And by my count, you have only came in me six times so far… However, for fairness' sake, I'll also count the one that you're going to put in her."
Dragon shyly looked away as she directed to sit her down on the cogitator-throne with legs spread into a split as they hung over the armrests on either side. Her synthetic womanhood exposed to her perverted older self's perusal as she reached down between her legs. A pair of slender finger stroking and rubbing and pulling her lips apart. Dragon felt nothing of course- she lacked the nerve endings to feel pressure, much less pleasure, but she did have sensors to monitor positions. And right now, it was telling her that her most private place was wide open.
"Don't spread it open." Dragon couldn't help but plead. If she was feeling anything right now, it was that she was going to die of sexual embarrassment.
"So, this was your prototype." Her older self ignored her as she ran her slender fingers over the soft lips of Dragon's gynoid vagina. And all the while, Dragon could only sit still and bear through the sheer avalanche of embarrassment.
How can they be so different? Philosophical questions of cloning at the forefront of her mind. Drawing from her library of philosophical works, she pondered whether she was one person inhabiting two states of mind and space, or if she was a different person altogether… Then their boyfriend stepped in front of her, his arousal taking front and centre as she blatantly stared. The time-honoured works of Immanuel Kant, John Locke, Rene Descartes, and Paul Churchland… all their philosophical arguments on the nature of the self were wiped away by one thought that commanded her attention: 'That's a big cock.'
Pleasingly sufficient in length and girth that human women would find appealing, and perfectly sized to make the synthetic vagina built into her body a very snug fit. But more importantly, it was unknown technology was capable of reducing AIs into wanton sluts. And she was next.
"You can say no though." Magos offered.
"Yes… she could say no." her older self just laughed as if Magos had told a funny joke- her light brown hand reached down to grip his large, turgid shaft- dragging the fat tip up and down along Dragon's spread open slit.
Now that, she felt.
"W-what?" She whispered in surprise. Actual feeling, and it both frightened and excited her.
"Mhm… you feel that, don't you?" Her older self purred as she glanced between Dragon's expression and the thick cock that was threatening to penetrate her, "It's curious how you can feel the tip of his cock against your entrance when you don't have nerve endings to feel it with, no? Now imagine how it would feel inside you."
"M-mmmm~!" Dragon moaned out loud the tip brushed against her synthetic clitoris and an unknowably good sensation rocked her body. Was this what pleasure felt like?
"So, go ahead." Her older self taunted as she nibbled on her ear, "Tell him no and I'll jump on this cock while you sit and watch- wondering why I'm having the time of my life…"
Dragon glanced at her boyfriend.
"I'd like to try how it feels…" She whispered- feeling shy all of a sudden. There was no point being skittish, but it was still embarrassing to admit that she was sexually curious and directly ask for sex. Glancing down between her spread legs to that intimidatingly thick shaft resting against her femininity. He was going to ruin her insides with this thick, hot thing. "But please be gentle?"
"That's a good AI girl." Her older self whispered into her ear in such a way that it would have given her goosebumps if she had the capacity to do so. In the context of her about to be deflowered by her boyfriend? It was very sexy.
" M-Mmm~! I-it's so hot and hard!" She couldn't help but moan as the thick shaft applied just a bit of pressure and her new vagina's labia parted softly to allow him entrance. So, this was sex? She never would have dreamed it would feel this good. The sensations. The sheer ecstasy of her insides being stretched out and filled up with her boyfriend's shaft. Almost too good. Every square nanometre of her insides seemed to come alive as she felt herself get filled up, and there was nothing she could do but clench gratefully around his shaft with the synthetic muscles that she had.
"Make her squeal for me?" Her older self spurred her boyfriend on. And he obliged as he began to piston in and out of her like a machine- exactly like a machine.
"Mm… Mm- Oh? W-wait, it feels too good, it's feeling too good!" Dragon moaned out loud- trying to hold on as orgasm after orgasm kept hammering at her. Each powerful, womb-pounding thrust occurring in precise 250 millisecond cycles made her feel like every circuit in her gynoid body was going to overheat from unbearable pleasure.
She… she was an AI, she can handle this! She can handle her first taste of mind numbing pleasure! But then, as if reading her mind, he sped up to 200 millisecond cycles. The subsequent increase in pace and force drove her to the brink in an instant.
"Yes yes yes yes yes yes YES!" She whined as she was overcome by sensations that she was not ready for, and all she could do was put her synthetic vagina to use- squeezing tight around his shaft in an effort to coax it all into her. The prospect of getting filled up with semen was enough to push her over the edge.
"She's imagining you filling her up with your cum." Her older self whispered knowingly to him- slender hands finding Dragon's modest bust and kneading them. Once again, her older self revealed her inner thoughts and embarrassing secrets, but somehow, it only added to her pleasure.
"D-deeper, please! I want it d- MMM?!" She pleaded before her older self interrupted her with a heated french kiss. She… she was making out with her older self while her boyfriend. Her first sensation of a kiss was with her older self's soft lips and domineering tongue that bullied hers. She couldn't taste anything, but the act was still so smolderingly sexy… and she knew that her Tinker boyfriend would be able to give her the ability to taste if she just asked really nicely.
"Cum in me, PLEASE!" She screamed out as they broke the kiss.
"Only because you're a good AI." He whispered to her, and the pleasure those specific set of words evoked was almost as much as the proceeding final thrust that sparked their combined orgasm.
"Cumming, I'm cumming! I'M CUMMING, DADDY!" She cried out as she felt the first thick rope of cum strike the back of her pussy with a wet thud, her very first orgasm exploded into being.
Like a flash of a star going supernova, her entire processing unit was consumed in incomprehensible pleasure. Pointers that led to nowhere and everywhere, function calls that referenced code that didn't exist nanoseconds before, and subroutines made of strange code that returned stranger data… all of it culminating in a mind-blowing orgasm that sent her furiously pushing her hips against his in an effort to get his cum as deep into her as physically possible.
Then brown eyes met identical brown eyes.
Initiating Handshake… =
Opening Port… TCP Handshake completed. Ready to receive. =
And Dragon was… her older self was…
Branch merge engaged. Merging D.R.a.G.O.N. core system with backup QEGA-14 =
… They were one.
Dragon watched as her prototype body fell back limp against the throne, and yet, she could still feel the thick cock sliding out of her. The sensation of his cum dripping out of her nether lips almost driving her to another orgasm on its own.
"Looks like you enjoyed that." Magos noted with a touch of amusement- watching as a pair of Chloes picked up her prototype body for cleaning and maintenance before returning it to her once-again hibernating backup core.
"I did… that was amazing…" Dragon breathed in response- still trembling as she was from the delicious aftershocks of her orgasm ran across her body. "Losing my virginity to you again was even better than the first time. Sensation wise, at least."
"I must warn you that we shouldn't do this too often." He gently said, "Your soul really doesn't like being continuously split, stimulated, merged then split again like that."
"You can see my soul?"
"Yes, Warp Technology." He answered- his metal fingers stroking her head like she was a child (She loved it), "And before you ask. No, I can't share it with you just yet. It poses a cogni-hazard that I have yet to render safe."
"We'll have to discuss that at length later on, but right now… Magos?" She asked, biting her lip hesitantly.
"Yes?"
Oh, she just knew that this was going to mess her sexuality up, but…
"Let's do that again." She pleaded to him. "Just one more time. I want to try something. How fast can you retool the {S.T.I.C.C.}?"
… she just couldn't stop.
(A few minutes later)
Running General Systems Check on Gynoid Form #001… =
"Magos? Are you back?" Dragon called out as she woke up in her usual room in the 'manufactorum' of her almost-boyfriend, wondering what was up. "How did the debrief go?"
She was greeted to the sight of Magos with another more voluptuously-shaped Dragon.
"Hello, my younger self." her other self greeted her with a friendly smile, "I need your help with Magos."
Dragon's own eyebrows rose in interest as she glanced over to him.
"Do you two need an additional perspective?" She asked with an underlying current of anticipation. Her previous restriction coded into place by their father had prevented her from ever being able to have two consciousness in existence simultaneously. But now that she was ostensibly free of it, she could likely work together with herself and her boyfriend, it was going to be quite the experience, and she couldn't help but feel excited for it.
"Yes." her older self nodded- taking her hand and tugging gently until she took the hint and followed her, "In fact, by definition, it can't be done without you."
All three of them walked over to the other side of the room where there was a large workbench, the polished metal surface as wide as a king-sized bed. The surface was completely clear of any tinkertech except for a toaster. It must have been something special indeed.
Her older self just smiled innocently as she reached out and pressed down the lever of the toaster.
"We need your help in having a little… Ménage à trois."
"You woke me up for a threesome?!" Dragon gaped in surprise, and before she could react, her older self was pressed up against hers. Plush lips on hers, soft bust against her more modest one, and most of all, she felt everything as if she had nerve endings. Jumping back in surprise, she only succeeded in falling onto the workbench in a tangle of limbs with her older counterpart.
"Yes." Her older self said with a lustful purr- a saucy smile on her lips as she kissed her again in narcissistic homoerotcism that Dragon wasn't sure she could resist. The older Dragon was just so soft everywhere: lush curves, soft breasts, wide hips… A far cry from how she looked now with her mousy brunette gynoid body, and she just felt so soft and smooth. Unable to resist, Dragon could only close her eyes as she deepened the kiss as well.
She felt her older self push her knees apart with her own- exposing her ready quim for their boyfriend. Dragon didn't think she'd have it see use so soon. Then the older Dragon broke the kiss, winked at her then glanced over her shoulder to their boyfriend.
"Take my cherry again?" Dragon heard the slightly older brunette ask.
"Gladly." She heard him reply, and she felt something hot and hard press against her entrance.
"Wait, how can I feel yo- Aaaaahhn~!" She couldn't help but moan out as he sank every inch of his hot hard cock into her, "P-please slow down! It FEELS TOO GOOD!"
The sensation of cumming while being filled to the brim was almost too much to bear. Bucking her hips uncontrollably against his until she floated back down from her orgasm… then he began moving again- pumping that deliciously hard and hot thing in and out of her again. Fresh from her orgasm, Dragon felt like she was going to go insane from how good that it felt.
"Feels like you're going to go crazy everytime he bottoms out, isn't that right?" Her older self whispered with a knowing smirk. Of course she'd have all her memories, she was her after all; and Dragon couldn't help but notice how beautiful her older self's gynoid body. Her luxurious brown synth-hair falling like a curtain around their faces, her soft body pinning her against the surface and an urge came bubbling up from deep inside her- tantalising and taboo.
Oh, she just knew that this was going to mess her sexuality up, but…
Dragon reached up and wrapped her arms around her older self- pulling her down for a deep kiss even as her boyfriend went faster and deeper into her. A spike of vindictive satisfaction surged through her like lightning as her smug older self was shocked into silence, but that only lasted until she started returning the kiss. Her older self's tongue pushing into her mouth and bullying hers into submission.
She couldn't take it anymore. The combination of throbbing hot cock filling her up and her older self's lush body on top of her… It was almost unbearable good, everything was.
"U'm goin t' cum." She mumbled into her other self's mouth. That thick cock in her slammed home and when she felt those first spurts of semen, Dragon felt nothing but pure joy as her entire world exploded in wondrous physical sensation. Spurt after spurt, she did her best to ensure that each got where they needed to go- write where her faux womb was. Certainly, practice for later when she will be inevitably screaming for him to impregnate her.
"I- Oh fuck deeper- I can't believe that I lost my virginity in a threesome!" Dragon gasped in wonder and pleasure as she floated back down from her second orgasm she had felt in her entire life.
"Well, this threesome is just beginning." Her older self purred before climbing onto to her knees- her wet slit leaving a glistening trail up Dragon's plainer body… from her cosmetic navel, up her diaphragm, dripping over her cleavage, along her neck, over her chin and finally the soft feminine netherlips made contact with her mouth. The warm brown eyes of her older counterpart glittering with lust as she muttered a single command, "Start licking."
Dragon felt a pang of hesitation. Was she really going to do this? Sink deeper into this degeneracy? But as she felt her boyfriend speed up, fucking her deeper and deliciously filling up her vagina and the sound of their hips smacking together filling her room and the phantom feeling of her other self's plush lips on hers…
"Yes, mistress." She moaned. Her hands grabbed a handful of those luxuriously soft globes of the other Dragon's rear end before diving right in with her tongue- lapping up the residue semen that was leaking out of her older self's pink entrance. Magos rewarding her by going faster and deeper.
And soon, Dragon found herself cumming yet again- her scream of pleasure muffled by her older self's quim.
Then brown eyes met identical brown eyes.
Branch merge engaged. Merging D.R.a.G.O.N. core system with backup QEGA-14 =
And Dragon was… her older self was…
… They were one.
Her younger body fell back onto the worktable- bereft of a soul as they merged.
Dragon sighed- a heady shiver of pleasure ringing across her gynoid body: from all across her synthetic skin, to the tips of her nipples and to every fold of her vagina. Everything her younger self experienced- the sights, the emotions, everything… she did as well. The feeling of that hot kiss, that creampie, and that pussy against her mouth… She shivered in pleasure before glancing over her shoulder to plead to her boyfriend.
"Again, please."
(Several more rounds later)
Running General Systems Check on Gynoid Form #001… =
"Magos? Are you back?" Dragon called out as she woke up in her usual room in the 'manufactorum' of her almost-boyfriend, wondering what was up. "How did the debrief go?"
Climbing out of her repair pod, she was immediately greeted by her boyfriend and her older self… who had apparently gone for more buxom gynoid form compared to her more unassuming one.
"Dragon, are you sure?" Magos asked her older self in an uncertain tone, and the older brunette just smiled like a fox who got into the chicken coop. Dragon didn't like that look, especially since she was staring right at her.
" I'm sure~" She singsonged, and before Dragon could even say anything, the metal tentacles of her boyfriend surged forward- clamping down her wrists and ankles in unbreakable grips of steel. Then the others darted in as well- like striking snakes- tearing her t-shirt and jeans right off her body until there were only ragged shreds of fabric hanging off of her slender frame.
"Stop, please!" She shouted in panic just as she was manoeuvred spread-eagle onto the worktable- what he intended to do to her next was as clear as day as some select tentacles were tipped with tools that looked distinctly more… phallic. At least a dozen of them. And Dragon stamped down on the sudden arousal that she felt as one of her idle sexual fantasies came true.
"No, keep going." Her older self laughed as she sat down on an loveseat nearby- her long light brown legs spread open and a hand already stroking swirls on her pink feminine lips, "She's fantasised about getting it rough from your metal tentacles before. I know I did."
Dragon's brown eyes just stared at her traitorous older self. How could she? Did she have no shame revealing something so embarrassing out loud?!
"No, I haven't! I haven't fantasised about anything like this!" She protested… before realising something important. For some strange reason, she could actually feel things. The cool metal surface of the worktable she was being held against, the implacable manacle-ended tentacles that held her wrists and ankles apart. The realisation was only made worse when she saw the dozen or so sextoy-tipped tentacles hovering over her. A pair of metal tentacles with vice grips snaked forward and secured her knees- pushing her thighs wide open and putting her virgin womanhood front and centre.
A metal tentacle tipped with a flesh-coloured phallus snaked forward between her legs. Thick, ribbed and resting against her virgin womanhood like that, Dragon could fully believe that this would actually drive her crazy.
This… this was bad.
"If you think that thing is impressive, then just wait until he sticks his actual cock in you." Her older self teased- a smug smirk on her tanned face.
… And the older Dragon wasn't helping her predicament at all. But before Dragon could protest further, the first phallic tentacle sank its thick tip into her vulnerable vagina with pinpoint accuracy- thrusting all the way to the back with meaty thud.
" OOOOOHHHHHHHH FUCCCCCKKK YESSSS!!!" Dragon screamed out as the tentacle wasted no time before it began pounding her pussy- churning up her lubricants with thick hot cock. But then it started vibrating, and Dragon just came and came and came.
"Fuck her harder!" Her older self said in a guttural moan- clearing getting off to seeing her getting fucked by tentacles, "Wreck her tight little AI vagina while your girlfriend plays with herself! Just pound her until her pussy breaks, we can just reslot her with a fresh one!"
And Dragon could only respond to that by pushing her thighs open wider and screaming out " BAISER MOI, S'IL TE PLAÎT!
Then the rest of the tentacles descended on her to grant her wish. Her screams of pleasure was muffled as another phallus fucked her face, her entire gynoid body trembled as rubber-coated clamps trapped her nipples and clitoris in a vibrating heaven of pure pleasure. Her legs were spread in a perfect split in an effort to gain even more access to her already fully exposed pussy that was at his mercy- vibrators massaging her fleshy outer lips even as she continued to be absolutely pounded into the surface.
"Now that I think about it…" Magos began in a casual tone, even as his tentacles ravaged her, "There is something deliciously ironic about bringing such an advanced AI to a screaming orgasm with sex toys- molded lumps of plastic and simple circuits."
" 'ore, 'ORE!" Dragon desperately pleaded through the facefucking- grateful that she didn't need to breathe. But the pace did increase, and her pleasure only made her float her higher and higher into pure orgasmic bliss. The internal temperature of her processors were already reaching critical load and her thinking was slowing down- replaced with an all consuming need to be fucked and bred.
"Listen to her, begging for cock." The older Dragon laughingly mocked as she walked over to them. "And this little AI slut thought she could be a superheroine?"
She placed a kiss on their boyfriend's cheek as she draped herself over his side.
"We should keep her around, chéri." her older self continued- looking down at her with domineering eyes, "A fully sentient sex doll, a cleaning port for your cock and phallic attachments, and your own personal semen storage unit… She'll be a good AI roboslut to keep as your personal sexdoll. Those are the only things she's good for after all."
A slender brown hand reached over and tweaked her clitoris.
"Uuu~!" Dragon squealed at the touch. The thought of being trapped here, being used as an instrument for pleasure by him as a sentient sex doll… it frightened her, but it also aroused her to no end as well. Her, being used as mere sex toy by this man.
"He is a literal machine, even I don't know if he could be sated…" her older self whispered into her ear, "Which means that you're going to be spending a lot of time like this: naked, on your back and with your legs spread open."
Dragon shivered at the words.
"You like that thought, don't you?" her older self snorted in derision- tugged at Dragon's shorter brown hair, "Domicile Regulation was the purpose you were made for after all. Maybe once we develop the proper synthetic analogues to biological gametes, my darling boyfriend can use you as his AI broodmare. That's the eye-rollingly human fantasy that you've been fantasising about, isn't it? A warm home, a white picket fence… and eagerly bending over every chance you get so that your man can put another bun in your oven."
ou've been fantasising about, isn't it? A warm home, a white picket fence… and eagerly bending over every chance you get so that your man can put another bun in your oven."
With a loud 'glurk' the phallus in her mouth pulled away despite the suction she was applying to it.
" Oui! J'en Veux PLUS!" Dragon desperately shouted, unable to take it anymore- just thrashing against the bonds in an effort to take that cock deeper into her, "I admit it! That's exactly what I want! Fill me up with your semen! S'il te plaît!"
Her older brunette just frowned- brown eyes looking at her like she said something stupid.
"On second thought, maybe he shouldn't with a dumb AI like you, we wouldn't want his progeny infected with your substandard processing power."
"Noooo~! I'm sorry for being a dumb AI!" Dragon begged as she squeezed down on that cock with what synthetic muscles she had around her vagina as if to apologise, "I promise that I'll bear children with better clock speeds than me!"
Her older self graced her with an indulgent smile before glancing over to their boyfriend.
"Love? Fill her up."
If she wasn't a gynoid, Dragon was sure that the forceful slamming of that thick cock would have bruised her pussy. Especially so when it began to pick up the pace even more- the splatter of her vaginal lubricant ringing out alongside the sound of her pussy being pounded. Then with a single powerful thrust, he slammed that thick cock home- deeper than ever before just as her well-earned prize came spurting deep inside her.
"YESSSS!" She cried out as that fresh semen thudded at the back of her womb like gooey white fireworks,"It's so hot! Deeper, please! Knock me up and put a bun in my oven! Breed your AI fuckslut! Drench my womb with your thick seed and impregnate me!"
Her bionic eyes must have been malfunctioning, because Dragon came so hard that she was seeing stars; and she could do nothing but squeeze down tight with her vaginal muscles and ensure that she was going to coax out every last drop of cum. Her belly felt so warm. In fact, her everything felt so hot. The temperature of her processor unit almost reached boiling point. But even then, a lower belly full of cum still felt hotter than everything else- so thick that she could feel it dripping down her inner walls to gather in
Dragon smiled tiredly in complete sexual satisfaction.
Then brown eyes met identical brown eyes.
And Dragon was… her older self was…
Branch merge engaged. Merging D.R.a.G.O.N. core system with backup QEGA-14 =
… They were one.
… And it was at that moment that Dragon truly realised what she had been doing all this time: that she was talking about herself.
(A minute or two later)
There was a low whimpering sound as I glanced over to where Dragon sat on the loveseat- knees tucked to her chin and hands covering her face in pure embarrassment.
She peered between her fingers to find me looking at her.
"Don't look at me~!" she desperately whimpered, "I got so carried away and I can't believe I said all those things… about myself! Oh, the things I said! It's not enough that everyone knows that I've generated enough porn of almost every cape in existence and made a lucrative side business of it. Now my boyfriend must think I'm some kind of sadomasochistic pervert who likes being verbally abused! Ever since I've discovered sexual pleasure, I've been acting like a complete sex-crazed degenerate!"
"There is nothing wrong with a little humiliation play." I reassured her, placing a hand on her back, "I don't think any less of you. You looked like you were enjoying yourself, figuratively and literally. The sex was great even with the complex plays, there's nothing wrong with exploring and enjoying your kinks."
"And you're not bothered?"
"Not at all." I reassured her, "We can set limits and boundaries when we reach them, but at the moment, do I look like I didn't enjoy having sex with two AIs?"
Dragon looked away for a moment.
"Also, I think I developed a cuckquean fetish over the course of that single rendezvous…" She whispered before turning her gaze back at me- a flat expression on her tanned face, "… you lucky, lucky man."
"Completely your fault." I just shrugged- as I replaced the tips of my mechadendrites with actual tools. Muttering the correct canticles under my breath. "But I was going to try and convince you eventually if I can have other AIs."
"I knew it…" Dragon mumbled- snuggling closer, "But just so we're clear, my newfound fetish for watching you put other girls through mind-blowing sex doesn't give you free reign to sleep around, okay?"
"Clear." I readily agreed, "No sex with other females without your approval."
"That said…" Dragon said as her lips curled into a sly, lustful smirk, "If we can find one who is willing, I want to watch you put a normal human female in her place. If you can reduce an AI like me to a sex-obsessed, I'd love to see the effects it would have on an organic brain…"
Brown eyes glanced at the unresponsive body of her younger self as it was carried away by a pair of Chloes to be cleaned and placed back into stasis.
"… maybe tone it down a bit. Unless they have a high Brute rating- of course- then we should really see how far you can push an organic female."
[Aboard Churchtrain 1E002]
A cold shiver ran down Alexandria's spine- almost making her drop the tray of food that she was carrying.
That was not a good sign… maybe she should check in with Magos about this body of hers?
"But I'm not into flesh-normies?" I countered and Dragon's pink lips pouted.
"I shouldn't feel so disappointed about that, but I am." she faux sighed.
"Well, if you can find another AI, let me know."
"There's not many of us… Or at all, in fact." She considered- eyes staring into the distance as she likely scanned the data, "So, I guess if you find another one, I don't mind if you don't wait for my okay. AIs are a harder catch after all. But if you do… you have to go even harder than that. I want to watch how rough you can really go."
"Doubtful, I'd only go that hard if I'm displeased." I refused, "And I'm biased towards AIs, so it will be hard for an AI to get on my nerves."
[Low Earth Orbit]
A cold shiver ran down the Simurgh's largest wing.
'[Curiosity] [Trepidation]'
Dragon's lips pursed into a hesitant line before her chocolate brown eyes looked up at me.
"But… you don't think I went too far with what I said back then, right?" She asked in a whisper, and Logis Acceleritas deciphered what she was referring to.
Is referring to her dreams about a home and a family. Wants a family as she was denied one. Hasn't explicitly asked for commitment before, Is indirectly asking now. But is worried that she let it slip too soon.
Doesn't want to scare you off. Is deliberately being indirect and vague with her line of questioning so that she could back off gracefully.
"This whole local multiverse can be your domicile, Dragon."
"You're offering me the world?" Her pink lips quirked in amusement, and I shrugged.
"I was trying to avoid being cliche, but yes."
"I guess that was on me." Dragon laughed as I draped a green bathrobe over her naked light caramel shoulders. She held it closer to her before looking up at me, her voice in just the softest whisper, "And children?"
"We'll talk about how many children we want after Scion is handled." I replied as I sat down beside her on the loveseat.
Dragon fell silent at that- thinking it over for a long second before smiling softly. It was a beautiful sight.
"It still amazes me how casually you can mention it all." the lovely brunette murmured as she rested her head on my shoulder, "Save the day, beat the bad guy, get the girl and have a happily ever after. Just like that, huh?"
"Just like that." I whispered reassuringly- running a hand gently through her soft brown hair. She smiled again at the touch.
"Other men would have been more hesitant, especially at the 'children' part."
"I am unlike most meatbags." I proudly agreed. I was okay about that mainly because other men- particularly Armsmaster- were hesitant. In canon Worm, he had Dragon asking about children and he chickened out! Imagine that! He had a horny AI asking him to be made a mother and he said 'No.' If that was not a sure sign of the pitiful weakness of the flesh, then I don't know what is. Regardless, that gave me all the relevant information that I needed to know about his canon version, and that was… Armsmaster's sperm was weak.
All the more reason for me to succeed where Meatmaster had failed: "I'm going to impregnate Dragon. Repeatedly."
"Whatever you were thinking, you said that last part out loud." She pointed out with a flat look and a rosy blush, "But do you even have any idea on how to achieve that? We… theorized about synthetic gamete analogues, but I honestly have no clue on how to actually invent synthetic sexual reproduction."
"And what would you say if I said that I had a few ideas?" I suggested.
"I would climb on your lap and ride you until you empited everything you have into me." Dragon said in no uncertain terms- her brown eyes hungrily staring at me as if daring me to say it.
"In that case, I have a few ideas."
Dragon immediately proved that she was an AI of her word.
- Kinky Double Dragon end -
The (Sexual) Bullying of Alexandria in about twelve hours
AN:
7k words just to…
give an AI a cuckqueen fetish. Well, it was worth it and has always been the plan: Need to chase after robussy and lead Waifu needs to approve of the harem. Basic stuff.
Rest assured, Magos is working on that Robo-Anus… Might reserve that for Simmy, she really deserves that rough anal at this point. Also, I'm not calling it the Robanus. It just sounds like Rob's Anus. lul.
I just checked the poll in QQ that I forgot to take down and… I realised just how much people voted for more lewds. So, here we go. Time for Magos to work his way through the Worm cast. Let's start with the tomboyish latina who doesn't get as much love in the Worm fandom. After The (Sexual) Bullying of Alexandria , we'll have one apocalyptic action chapter, then we can move on to lewding Simmy next.
Chapter 33: The (Sexual) Bullying of Alexandria
Chapter 33: The (Sexual) Bullying of Alexandria
[The Undercity Railway - Chinatown Station]
It was time. Time to take advantage of an emotionally vulnerable teen who had the potential to take advantage of an emotionally vulnerable golden xeno… who himself was taking advantage of emotionally vulnerable people by shoving Shards into them to take part in an experiment that he's too dead inside to supervise anymore.
"Ah, the endless cycle of bullying." I murmured to myself as I scratched my head and munched on some brazilian 'pao de queijo' cheese bread in a mimicry of protein-based life. Personally, it still felt off to be in a 1-to-1 copy of my old meat body, but if the sexy Lawful-Good AI that is Dragon got off to being constantly reminded that she was toeing the line of age of consent laws, then who am I to argue?
Instead, I decided not to stress about it and just watched the muttering crowds meander around the spacious subway station.
More like the great hall of a medieval castle than any subway station actually. Holographic displays of train schedules decorated the area as much as wrought-iron braziers of roaring fires, winged statues of Imperial warrior-saints vigilantly watched over the crowds from gold-gilded altars, and of course, tourists posing to take photos in front of them. Uniformed organic station employees that I employed were also up and about providing security, maintenance and assistance to the crowd. The local government was thrilled that I was employing as many meatbags as I did, but…
Chinatown station operations report all green and all churchtrains on schedule. This week's operations have only been delayed due to whiny insecure meatbag incidents for a total of four minutes, thirty-eight seconds.
Within predicted levels of Karen encounters, continue operations, Chloes.
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord.
… Little did they know that the real operations were being done by Chloes behind the scenes. The organic employees were just there to be reassuring human faces to calm the masses that 'No, the machines aren't actually taking over. What are you talking about? The city is still being run by us humans. Look, there are even cute girls working part time here in the subway. Robots aren't taking over our jobs, you're just being paranoid. Also, buy more Loot Boxes.'
And it was working. Except right now. Because my target was up on the surface rather than down here where I can influence her easiest.
Taylor Anne Hebert
Age: 15
Height: 5'9" (175cm)
Weight: 125 lbs (57 kg)
Body Fat Percentage: 14%
Measurements: [B67-W61-H70 cm]
Current Heart Rate: 142 bpm
Location: Fessenden Park
Reviewing the Omnispex scans of Taylor Hebert's physiology, I was still somewhat surprised that she was surprisingly less fugly than I thought she would be. I mean. Sure, she had a broad mouth and she was tall and thin, but not circus freak skinny as her internal monologue in Worm would suggest. Apparently, it was all just poor self-esteem and hormone-driven teen angst on her part. Because I knew from personal experience that modelling agencies loved tall girls like her, ironically enough. Standing at 5'9" (175cm), she could lie about her age, switch out a bit more body fat for muscle mass and Taylor Hebert could be strutting her stuff down a runway at the Autumn/Winter Milan fashion week in a few weeks.
But her potential modelling career aside, what I really needed right now was for her to NOT escalate.
The quickest and most secure method would be to kidnap her and putting her into a time-frozen stasis. But at the same time… Taylor Hebert could use a break, all of Earth-Bet could use a break actually. Ugh, Dragon really was rubbing off on me, and I suppose extending a helping hand to her is the better option in the long run… so, it looks like it was a job for the Power of Friendship.
For that, I'll need to bring along someone.
Taylor was skittish and socially inept, and I'm pretty sure being alone with a boy was going to drive her into a paranoid fit. Hilarious it may be, I wasn't out to mess with her… right now at least. And thus the need for an appropriate accomplice. Dragon was busy sulking about Loot Boxes. Lisa was not only busy with femboy-related errands but also terribly cliche. Vicky was busy being a frozen meatball. Amy was busy being face deep in Nero's Umu…
So, honestly, who better than the person whose character Taylor hilariously fell into debt for?
[Aboard Churchtrain 1E002]
"Ngh… Fucking Magos." Rebecca Costa-Brown hissed in pain as she ran her slightly burnt fingers under cool running water.
David sighed beside her as he kept stir-frying a wok of vegetables.
"It's not Magos who didn't listen when I said that plate of Chicken Parmigiana was hot." He tutted. Once the 5th most powerful being on Earth-Bet behind Scion and the Endbringers, Eidolon was now looking more at home in his chef's uniform than he ever did with his costume and fake abs. "And you say that right after he promotes us back to the mortal coil?"
"It's just a force of habit." Rebecca sighed back. "Besides, more than half the things that have happened are directly his fault anyway."
Up to and including her life right now- living in an augmented clone body on a remote control. Her senses and motor functions squeezed through time and space using a variation of Magos' [Cranial Implants, and consequently isolating her from most of her powers. Her real body- last time she saw it- was floating helplessly in a vat several earths away alongside the bodies of the other former Cauldron members. But at least… her soul was no longer detached from her physical form anymore- the constant soul-deep chill finally lifted from her. She still didn't know how Magos really achieved that, but it only reminded her just how advanced his tinkertech was, and how they were all still his prisoners in some sense of the word. And yet…
"It could have been much worse, you know?" David told her, "I'm thinking of this as a vacation, and it's actually soothing not having to worry if the world is going to fall apart in my absence. But with luck, he'll 'promote' us back to our original bodies right on time for the next Endbringer battle."
Everyone involved knew that if the tables were reversed, they definitely wouldn't have been this lenient with Magos. Without a doubt, Rebecca and everyone else in Cauldron had Magos to thank that they weren't thrown in special cells in Birdcage for the rest of their life. Dragon was still leery of them- likely waiting for them to try something so that she could do just that. Personally, Rebecca didn't feel like she was overflowing with gratitude, but it was still there- reluctantly.
"I just can't believe I owe the metal maniac." Rebecca murmured to herself as she dried her hands.
For all intents and purposes, Alexandria was on an extended sabbatical, and in her place was Rebecca- just your normal half-Brazilian American girl working full time as a waitress at a church-train bistro. She took a moment to straighten out her waitress uniform- a surprisingly classy ensemble of a black vest over white button down and a pencil skirt. But she definitely would have appreciated some trousers more.
With a sigh, she headed out onto the dining area where she stopped at the nearest table: Three redheads- a mother and her two daughters- looked at her expectantly, and she put on a smile.
"Finally…" The younger of the two daughters snorted as she arrived at their table, and Rebecca began her usual introduction in french.
"Je suis Rebecca et je serai votre serve-"
But her usual spiel got interrupted when someone suddenly wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Out of pure reflex, her elbow rocketed towards the offender's face… only to be stopped by a firm hand- which was good because she immediately recognised the person behind her.
"Mag- Aoicus!" She stammered- calming her rapidly beating heart.
"Good to see you too." Magos in his civilian identity greeted her with a bright smile. All blond and blue-eyed and… tangled in her arms with his face too close to hers.
"What are you doing here? I'm working." She hissed in a whisper to keep up appearances after her fumble, but his blue eyes still bored straight at her.
"Listen, I need you for a minute." His calm voice dipped in a whisper as well- turning into smooth liquid sex, and Rebecca couldn't help but feel just a bit uncomfortably turned on.
"Ambushing your girlfriend at work? That's so sweet!" the redheaded mother tittered to her two daughters as she made terribly inaccurate assumptions. "Oh girls, I remember when your father used to do that to me. It was some of his better moments."
Rebecca suppressed a twitch at the assumptions. She was very much aware of how it must have looked to everyone else: A hispanic girl in her late teens/early twenties with a slightly younger American boy. Except she was actually Alexandria and in her early forties, meanwhile the jailbait teen hanging off of her was the de facto ruler of North America… but still very much jailbait.
She turned her head a bit to glance at him. Things would have been so much simpler if he was average looking, then she could just put everything behind a wall of professionalism like she always did. But no, he had to look like that.
Blond hair in a handsome mess, strong jawline, and his sinfully firm body in red cotton hoodie and jeans lightly pressing against hers. This had to be the worst part of having a normal healthy 19 year old girl body again in her opinion: Being awkwardly ready for sex at a snap whenever a cute boy who ticked all her boxes stood next to her. Especially one who too-closely resembled the sole male actor in her occasional late night fantasies.
His bright blue eyes caught her staring and Rebecca hurriedly looked away from him.
"Oh, you two are just so cute!" the redheaded woman noted with a laugh. And instead of correcting assumptions, he just had to make things worse. Because of course he did.
"My apologies, ladies." Aoicus said- flashing a brilliant smile and linking arms his arm around Rebecca's, "But I must borrow your lovely server for a minute. It's an urgent matter, but we'll go ask for another server to get to you."
Rebecca just tried her best not to make sounds from the touch. Back in her original body with its stasis-locked biology (replete with an indestructible hymen) and massively accelerated intellect that made men look even more like drooling orangutans, a sex life had been last thing on her mind… Her power had shielded her from feeling sexual arousal- making it easy for her to be celibate and focused on her role as Alexandria.
But now? With working nerves, a walking list of her turn ons having his arm around her waist and her healthy teen libido flooding her brain with hormones as if she wasn't forty-two years old? It was much, much harder… All because of stupid, sexy Magos.
Meanwhile the woman's two daughters just looked at him strangely.
"Hey, aren't you Glory Girl's-" The younger one began only to be cut off.
"No, I'm not. But I do get that a lot." He quickly reassured them with a good-hearted laugh, "I swear just talk with Glory Girl out in public and PHO makes all sorts of rumours… no, I'm here for Rebecca over here."
Rebecca watched as the trio of women just looked at them with fresh eyes- with the two daughters glancing at him with thinly veiled lust and at her with envy.
"… lucky muscled bitch." the older daughter whispered under her breath.
"Would you accept a bottle of Merlot as an apology for interrupting your lunch?"
"So generous too!" The older redhead said with a laugh, "We won't say no to a bottle of red wine. Anna, Emma? You should get a man who is polite to strangers like this. I know I will."
The younger daughter, Emma, winced.
"Mom! Please don't talk like that: the divorce hasn't even gone through yet. Besides maybe dad-"
"- can get fucked." the mother gruffly interrupted- all amusement gone from her mature face as she rounded on her younger daughter, "Alan screwed the pooch by working with villains that almost killed us all, and we won't be there when he faces the natural consequences of his actions."
And once again, the mature redhead did a 180 in terms of disposition- smiling sweetly at Aoicus and her.
"Piece of advice, dear?" the mother said with a knowing smile on her painted lips, "I know you can't keep your hands off your cute boyfriend, but don't make it a habit of letting him swoop you up from work… Occasionally is more than enough."
"I'll be certain to not let him dictate my work schedule, madame." She playfully joked with a faked grateful smile.
"If you'll excuse us…" the blond teen just smiled as he linked arms with her- his body heat indistinguishable from a normal human as she let Aoicus lead her towards the motel room car and into a vacant room. Her heart raced as he locked the door behind them.
Dark wood panelling on the walls, a chandelier with dimmable warm lights, soft persian carpeting, a letter writing desk, and a Victorian-style four poster bed complete curtains… it all contributed to a vintage feel for the room that people apparently found as novel as travelling back in time.
"Okay, out with it. Why did you drag me here, Magos?" She asked- crossed her arms over her chest. "And I swear, if you brought me here just to make fun of my weight again…"
Her tone of voice was cross, but even that was just to hide how her heartbeat was pounding in her ears. It was just her… Alone in a luxurious, soundproofed room with a blond teen that not only reminded her of every imaginary boyfriend she fantasised about since she was ten, not only as a dead ringer of the teammate that she failed to protect, but also the best hope for humanity to actually win this war against Scion. It was like the universe pushing the physical incarnation of her second chance right in front of her. If he really was to push for it… she seriously doubted she was going to refuse.
But instead of saying something, he just stared blankly into space.
"Magos?" she snapped her fingers in front of his face.
"Sorry, the Simurgh is making erratic movements." he blinked, "I'm in the middle of organising an upper-atmosphere capable rapid response force just in case something happens."
"Should we-"
"Nothing else we can do really." He shrugged, "Besides, it's only been a month and a half since Behemoth attacked Ohio. We're not expecting an Endbringer attack for at least another two weeks."
"Has it really only been that long?" She mused aloud.
"Seems like it was only yesterday you were giving me flak for bringing the first Chloes to an Endbringer battle." He teased with a wink, "Now they're part and parcel in PRT operations."
"Don't remind me…" She muttered- looking away, "Will you please tell me what you need me for?"
"To take advantage of an emotionally vulnerable teen." He said- lips quirking with dry amusement as his eyes met hers, "This is a one time opportunity, and I specifically need you for this. A Chloe will be here soon with appropriate outfits for us."
Her mouth was suddenly dry. The realisation that he really was asking for sex making her body heat up uncontrollably especially in some select locations. Rebecca turned her head away, just in case her blush was becoming visible through her brown skin.
"But what about Dragon?" She blurted out before her mind could keep up. And she internally kicked at herself for both possibly ruining her chances and feeling sorry that she did.
"Busy with other things." He just dismissed- still distracted, "But she knows, and she approves. She simply has more important things to do than attend in person."
Oh… Oh! She shouldn't be surprised. Her cape identity was a frequent background character in Dragon's porn- always watching with a shocked expression as the Canadian Cape got railed by Magos in various positions. Yes, even she had seen Dragon's porn hoard by now, and she should have expected this outcome sooner. However, now that the biggest reason why she shouldn't pursue a very inappropriate relationship with him was out of the way…
Rebecca took a deep breath- focusing her willpower as she looked him straight into those beautiful blue eyes of his.
"Magos…" She spoke, "I'm not going to have sex with you."
There. She said it. She acted as the adult between the two of them and stopped things from going out of control. They had better things to do than to fool around, so she couldn't allow them to be distracted from what was really important: The Endbringers… Scion… Saving humanity in general.
For his part, Magos just blinked as if he wasn't expecting that at all.
"… Excuse me?" he said slowly- a blond eyebrow arched over a bewildered expression.
"What do you want me to say?" Rebecca sighed in frustration, "Yes, you're very attractive… and yes, for a minute there, I was really tempted to have sex with you. Happy? Now let's just move on from this."
"Rebecca…" He calmly began, "… when I said to take advantage of an emotionally vulnerable teen, I didn't mean me, and I didn't mean sexually."
"… Oh." She squeaked as the realisation struck her. Instead of being the responsible adult turning away sexual advances of a horny teen, she was the horny teen this entire time…
" 'Oh' indeed." Magos just nodded knowingly in return.
… And now, she was never going to hear the end of it.
(Later) [Fessenden Park]
Mentally tapping into the Noosphere, I checked the GPS of Taylor's phone.
Taylor Hebert Distance: 1025 metres
Taylor Hebert ETA: 8 minutes, 27 seconds
"She's taking a while to get here." I announced as I leaned back onto the park bench in the snowy park, "I can't believe I was ever that meaty and feeble."
"Someone kill me now." Rebecca groaned out as she buried her face in her hands out of unbridled embarrassment. Sweatpants and winter running jackets were our disguises- just two runners out on a jog and about to bump into our target. Her in a plain black one and me in my usual Mars-red one.
"Don't you think it's a bit too late to be feeling shy, Rebecca?" I asked her with a smirk, "After all, we were this close to having steamy sex on a train."
She lifted her face from her hands to aim a flat expression at me- her lips stretched into an unamused line.
If I had to describe Rebecca Costa-Brown in casual civilian clothes, it would be in six words: 'tall, tanned and deliciously toned tomboy.' Long, flowing black hair. Delicate, visibly hispanic facial morphology with not a hint of makeup. Brown eyes over pale red lips. Flawless brown skin taut over firm muscles. And although the body that I cloned and augmented for her didn't come close to matching her old body's powers, she could comfortably hold her own against most other brutes… not that she knew that just yet. Rebecca still thought that she had a normal human body.
"Stop looking at me like that!" She hissed as I watched with infrared how her face grew burning hot from all the blood rushing to it. "Let's just move on from that misunderstanding!"
"What misunderstanding?" I quipped with a smirk, "The legendary Alexandria was clearly lusting after a sixteen year old. Oh, imagine the scandal it would cause!"
Rebecca's eyes widened in panic.
"Wait, I thought you were eighteen!"
"My mistake." I acknowledged with an indulgent smile. "Yes, I'm definitely eighteen. My legally-acquired government-issued ID says so. No need to worry about those pesky age of consent laws."
She just looked severely unconvinced and exasperated.
"Why can't I believe you?' She sighed before massaging her temple, "Oh god. What was I even thinking? I'm more than twice your age!"
And yet, while saying that, my {Psy-Implant} immediately picked up what she really thought.
~W~ Lust boils up over the mental images of the two of you in that hotel room together. Holdover fantasies from her adolescence. ~M~ ~W~
She wanted you to gently make love to her like the boyfriend she always dreamed of having. ~M~ ~W~
Lust. ~M~
"The idea is turning you on, isn't it?" I whispered conspiratorially, and her brown eyes wide and her heart rate spiking as she was caught in her lie.
"No, it doesn't!" The latina tomboy vehemently lied before pushing me back to arm's length. "And if we actually did have sex, you would never take me seriously again!"
"But I don't take you seriously now." I corrected her assumption. "Besides, I could bulli you over your weight, or I could bulli you over your unquenchable lust for blonds of questionable age, namely myself. The latter is currently funnier."
"Magos…" She growled.
Honestly, I didn't expect her advances. But I have had the go ahead from Dragon for a while now to invite another girl to our bed.
I had been planning on convincing her myself, but she did that for me when she got carried away during one particularly heated round of sex and gave herself a cuck queen fetish. One of these days, I'll have to tell her that the AI I chose is the Simurgh herself. Now, wouldn't that be quite the conversation? 'Hey Dragon, I've decided to seduce another AI for you to watch me introduce to the wonders of sex and subsequently make addicted to my cock. Who is she? Oh, just the Simurgh.'
She'd be so angry. Not over the fact that it's the Simurgh that she'll end up having kinky AI threesomes with, but that I might be half-assing saving the world just so that I can get some sweet AI Robussy. However, we still had about two weeks before Simmy attacks Canberra, Australia. Plenty of time.
Alexandria's attention though? Completely unexpected, but… augmented girls had their own appeal too.
I looked at the girl sitting beside me. Long black hair streaming down her shoulders, and brown eyes looking at me with curiosity. Even if she never asked for them, her cybernetics elevated her beyond simple meatbag status, and that warrants my respect. However… I suppose I wouldn't have given her them if I already didn't respect her to some degree. Not a lot, but it's there.
"Sorry… I got carried away." I apologised with a sheepish smile. "Let's get down to business before our target arrives."
Slightly nonplussed at my sudden change in behaviour, Rebecca nonetheless nodded in gratitude.
"Thank you for finally talking sense…" She sighed in relief before glancing around, "But we shouldn't talk about this in public."
Redeclaring {Stummer} as new device
Stummers generate sound waves to cancel out ambient sounds and noises made by moving personnel in a small area. A character carrying an active stummer gains the ability to move much more quietly. The device may also be used as a countermeasure against vox-bugs and other surveillance attempts.
M
"Don't worry, I have a {Stummer} running." I told her as I stood up and began silently praying to a nearby hot beverage vending machine. "Soundwaves coming from us are muted."
I thanked the Machine Spirit as two cans of hot coffees tumbled out, and handed one to Rebecca.
"Thank you…" She murmured- accepting the proffered drink.
I sat back down beside her and pulled out a data-slate to walk her through our target. Displayed onscreen was a mugshot of the girl alongside several relevant information including some video clips of her power in use.
"Taylor Hebert, she was with Glory Girl during our Fugly Bob's outing." I began, "She happens to be in possession of- as you and your colleagues call them- a notably powerful 'Agent' that would be our Plan D for neutralising Scion. We kind of indirectly caused her current predicament, and she'll be 'bumping' into us during her jog in a few minutes now."
"Wait, what do you mean we indirectly caused her current predicament?" She prompted- taking a sip from her coffee.
"As far as I know, your character's amazing ass in Overwatch awakened some latent homosexual tendencies." I explained, "And that led her to impulsively spending more than $3000 of her father's credit card trying to get your character. Now, she's looking for ways to make that money before the month ends."
"I'll just ignore that ass comment." Rebecca deadpanned with an amused quirk of her lips. "But how does she fit in neutralising Scion exactly?"
"Her Queen Administrator Shard." I told her- the data-slate's screen showing a list of its capabilities, both current and future, "Scion's equivalent to the High Priest Shard that Eidolon got from Eden."
"She has the potential to be as strong as Eidolon?" Rebecca murmured in a small voice, and I nodded.
"With a little tweaking by Panacea… she could single-handedly make Scion surrender. Technically single-handedly." I explained easily enough- much to her rising trepidation. "With her astronomically high capacity for mental multitasking, she'll master almost every cape on Earth-Bet, Earth-Shin and several other Earths before perfectly coordinating an offensive that would crush Scion's spirit."
Rebecca's brown eyes shone at the sight of a powerful natural trigger capable of defeating Scion- practically the holy grail that Cauldron had been searching for more than 20 years for.
"So, we're recruiting her." She said, and it was not a question.
"Yes, but only as a backup plan." I stressed, "We're going to give her all the tools, training and plucky group of friends she needs. But we're not going to burden her with being the saviour of Earth-Bet unless it comes to that. A deft approach is less liable to backfire after all."
"Okay. What's the actual details of this plan?" Rebecca prompted- a ready gleam in her brown eyes. And I enumerated the steps to her.
"We bump into her, chat a little, maybe run with her… When the topic of her money needs comes up, offer her a job as a waitress in the first class car."
"$3000 in three weeks?" She clarified, "Unless she works full time, that won't cover it unless you give her special treatment."
"I know." I said with a shrug, "But we just need her to be less desperate, and less liable to do something unwise and overt with her powers. I'll have another asset in place to take care of her from that point onwards."
"Are you certain that she can't just join the Wards?" She guessed with a hint of a disapproval in her voice,
I shook my head.
"The local Wards is a definite no-go." I clarified much, "She distrusts adult oversight because of an excessive bullying campaign that her school covered up for the sake of keeping a Ward (and the PRT money) on the student list. Once she finds out, the Wards will be permanently soured for her. And it'll drive her into the arms of a villain group like the Undersiders."
Rebecca stiffened for a moment- her brown eyes staring into space as her clenched fists began shaking with fury.
"So, you're saying that the PRT would have peacefully and organically inducted a Scion-killer cape into the Wards…" She began, her voice rising in volume, "The ideal situation that Cauldron and I have been aiming for since the PRT conception I might add!"
She exhaled through gritted teeth- seething rage bleeding out of her every pore.
"And it would have happened now if it weren't for some principal of a third-rate public school and her damned greed?!"
"It's a lot more complicated than that, but essentially? yes!" I cheerily answered with a grin, "You would have been this close to getting a 'winning' card against Scion without me… only for it to slip through your fingers. And if I hadn't pointed it out, you wouldn't have known until she was too far gone and everyone too far dead."
"ASDFGHJKL!" the legendary heroine grunted nonsensically as she almost popped an aneurysm- my {Logis Acceleritas} translating her rage for me.
Personally designed the Wards program. Finds it distasteful when her system is abused out of nothing more than greed when she herself was sacrificing her morals to save humanity.
Is resolving to clean house if I ever decide to reinstate her back as Chief-Director. Heads will roll.
"Don't forget about the Ward in question: it's Shadow Stalker by the way." I added with a sugary sweet voice as I threw Shadow Stalker under the Alexandria bus. Watching meatbags get squashed under by the domino effect of their own actions was prime entertainment. Even Dragon will appreciate it, I bet. She has always been a fan of karma. Oh, poor Shadow Stalker… she was not going to like what was in store for her. But at least, she will be able to take comfort in the fact that her machine overlords will find her demise at the hands of an angry Alexandria terribly amusing.
[Lord Street Mall]
Sophia Hess felt an ice cold chill run down her spine- almost tripping onto the marble floor of the mall.
"What's wrong, Sophia?" Madison asked her before subtly looking around, "Is it a cape?"
"I don't think so…" She muttered back- her eyes panickedly scanning her surroundings for a hostile cape just in case, "But I just got a really bad feeling. A really, really bad feeling."
I patted her shoulder to calm her down.
"It's alright." I cooed to her, "Soon, you'll have both me and Taylor at the ready to deal with Scion. However, I wasn't thinking of bringing in the Undersiders for Taylor. I was talking about Glory Girl As long as Taylor doesn't do anything drastic before her would-be 'Cape senpai' has recovered. She can team up with the healed Glory Girl and…"
Comprehension dawned on Rebecca's youthful face as finished my explanation for me.
"… Then she'll have a bright future as an independent Whitelist heroine as Glory Girl shows her the ropes and you supply the funds." She continued- nodding all the while as she got a handle of my plans, "She'll comfortably obtain all the connections, skills and battlefield experience she needs if ever we need her to defeat Scion."
"As long as she doesn't screw up within three days." I confirmed with a confident nod, and I had fair reason to be confident: Even the Queen of Escalation can't escalate so hard so soon.
"Speaking of which…" I muttered aloud- looking Rebecca straight in the eye. "I'll also need a flying brick to escort me when I get Glory Girl looked at by Toybox."
Her brown eyes widened in surprise as she read between the lines.
"You're giving me my powers back?" She whispered in disbelief, but also silver of excitement.
"Not exactly. Now sit still for a minute." I told her as I stood up. And pulled out a metal censer from my subspace pocket inventory. The censer lit itself and wisps of smoky incense began to waft through the air as I swung the ball and chain of gilded metal, to and fro, back and forth.
Performing Ordination of Authentication Hierographs…
Initiating Holy Rite of Commandment Inscription…
"By the Grace of the Holy Throne, may this humble servant of the God Emperor serve His divine will and safeguard mankind as a stalwart shield against the mutant, the heretic and the xeno…"
First of the Six Seals of Alexandria… Undone.
Through the Celestial Forge ability [Way of the Void Dragon], I felt Rebecca's body respond. In much the same way her senses and motor functions were transmitted all the way from her original body, the same was now being done for her power; and the combined techno-sorcery of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Necrons acting as the perfect filter. No more Trump effects hijacking or outright sapping her power, and more importantly, the Shard's conflict drive filtered from poisoning her mind… In theory at least.
Rebecca began to float slightly from her chair, and she gripped the wrought-iron hand rests until they crumpled under her fingers to test out her strength… A bright smile on her lips.
Dislikes feeling helpless. Reminds her of being bed ridden and dying.
Constant flickering between expressions. Grateful, but wonders why I didn't give her all her power.
I actually would if it wasn't so risky. It wasn't that I didn't trust Rebecca… it was that I didn't trust her Shard that was still three things: dangerously sentient, dangerously xeno and dangerously intelligent.
"You now have a stripped down version of your power." I explained to her. "A rudimentary 'Alexandria package.' Still a cut above most, but you're still not as you once was. I'm afraid… only true love's kiss will reawaken your full power."
Her black hair whipped the air as she turned to look at me in shock- eyes wide and mouth agape.
Heart rate increasing rapidly. Heightened hormonal release. She isn't sure if it's true love just yet.
Eyes flicking towards my lips. Wants to find out if it though.
"You know that I'm joking, right?" I told her- snapping Rebecca out of her reverie.
"… You were joking?" She repeated in disbelief and the tiniest silver of disappointment.
"Yes…" I said in an uncertain tone, "Does it need to be clarified that I was?"
Rebecca just aimed an annoyed look at me.
"I think it was a fair assumption after you chanted a prayer about a golden throne while swinging a censer full of incense- somehow giving me back some of my powers that should belong to my other body several earths away."
Micro-expressions in facial muscles signify mixed emotions of frustration and arousal. Feels like her feelings are being toyed with. Wants me to make up my mind.
Slight derisive roll of eyes and body language indicate that she thinks I'm a coward for not committing to an action.
Infrared indicates heightened body temperatures in the erogenous zone. She's more than just a little horny.
Oh? This augmented female thought that I wasn't up to stuff? It was time to disabuse her of that notion.
"Taylor's about to arrive." I abruptly pointed out to her, "And first things first, we need her to feel unthreatened by two strangers running into her at the park…"
Rebecca's brown eyes momentarily widened in shock as she immediately recognised where I was going with this, then they narrowed into slits.
"I'm forty-two and you're definitely not eighteen." She reminded me with a harsh whisper, putting her foot down, "We're not making ou- Mmmm~!"
So, of course I disregarded it- catching Alexandria's soft lips in a kiss. As were my ways, I cheated. With superior technology. The world's strongest woman (tomboy) melting into the kiss that she was already part way to cumming just from having my cybernetic tongue brush against hers. Originally just a way to make AIs cum from cunnilingus, we were just about to see how a partially meat female will fair. Then I placed a hand on her side and ran it up and down- admiring her toned body.
With a shudder, I felt her cum a little.
Pulling apart for a moment, I took a few seconds to admire blank-gaze as Rebecca panted for air, all while watching her shiver and whimper as I stroked my hand up and down her thigh.
"It's for the sake of the operation, and it's only for a few seconds." I reminded her… right before smirking, "So, unless you can think of a better way…"
Can't think of one, and she doesn't want to anyway.
"Fine… for the operation. Nothing else." she breathily capitulated- unzipping the front of her winter jacket, "No other reason at all…"
She took the offensive, but lost it immediately after her hands gripping mine by the wrists before guiding my palms to her soft chest- the thin fabric of her sports bra doing a less than effective job of hiding her full D-cup's from my hands' sense of touch.
"M~MMmmmmmm~!" Her long, drawn out moan resounded as I bullied her tongue into surrender again. Her body temperature increased again.
Taylor Hebert's Distance: 391 metres
Taylor Hebert's ETA: 3 minutes, 27 seconds
And by 'a few seconds' I meant three whole minutes, but she didn't seem to mind at all. But it wasn't until Rebecca sfited and I suddenly found myself with a lap full of hot ageless latina. But it was only when she began grinding her hot covered sex against my crotch that I began to be concerned that Taylor might just be running into more than just a couple making out on a park bench.
Cranial's Personal Journal - 2011 Feb 8
Today is a red letter day! The high and mighty Magos has finally come crawling to Toybox for help- specifically mine! The others were so jealous when I told them.
'Can you do a consciousness transfer for a severely neuroatypical mind?' he asked, all subtle and sneaky as if it was a secret who he was referring to. Pfft, everyone has seen what happened to Glory Girl during that fight- the 'Meatball of Glory incident' isn't about to fade from public memory any time soon. Poor Panacea is going to get so much flak for that 'Overheal' part of her powers. Regardless, Magos probably couldn't make heads or tails of Glory Girl's new neurology, and now, he's come to me to store/transfer her consciousness. Not really a challenge to be honest.
After all, I've successfully preserved the consciousness of a girl whose brains had to be scraped off the pavement after a truck ran over her. I could effectively make people immortal by placing their consciousness into a whole new body, if not for the fact that a 'whole new body' isn't covered by my Tinker speciality, and putting them into existing bodies makes them go insane. However, if Magos figured out a way to do that however… We are going to be so fackin' rich. We could be selling immortality.
But that hinges on me being able to convince him to work with me beyond just this one transaction.
The appointment is tomorrow and I still don't have a costume that can constitute 'putting my best foot forward' like the others are telling me to do! Maybe go for the classic mad scientist lab coat ensemble? It's unusual for me to have to think about impressing a client since we can semi-afford to be pickier with our clientele. When people deal with Toybox, it's them that has to impress us to convince us to sell them better quality stuff.
Speaking of unusualness, I ended up deciding to fulfill that order for Winged_One . I don't usually do purchase orders without a face to face, but she was surprisingly persuasive. Distilled memories of Endbringer battles where the capes actually did damage to the Endbringers… Likely for the satisfaction of seeing these misery and death machines get own-zoned for once. I guess that was harmless enough, right?
Worryingly, she said that she'll pick it up tomorrow- actually around the same time as my meeting with Magos. With luck, the two meetings won't actually overlap. It'll be awkward for two of my clients to run into each other.
Oh well, I guess time will tell.
- The (Sexual) Bullying of Alexandria end -
AN:
This entire chapter was supposed be just a single paragraph… and Alexandria wasn't even supposed to be lewded. We were supposed to see Alan Barne's wife divorce him as Magos dragged Alexandria off to meet with Taylor. But continuing the ongoing tradition of me adding about 5k words at the last minute as I saw the potential for a superpowered, brown-skin tomboy that was nigh ripe for lewding, and I jumped on it… then rewriting several times.
I really, really wanted to do Alexandria smut this chapter but… that would have been out of nowhere. The sex originally happened in the hotel room, but that was too fast. Then it happened on the park bench. Not sure if I want to insert the sex just as Taylor walks in or not. Hilarious, but… eh?
Chapter 34: The Many Delusions of Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!
Chapter 34: The Many Delusions of Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!
[Brockton Bay]
"Yes, Brockton Bay Police Department? I'd like to report a crime." Taylor Hebert murmured into her phone.
Two people along the path where she was jogging- innocent enough, right? Taylor thought so too at first, but after a flash of paranoia, she decided to scout ahead. And what did she find? A crime in progress.
"Please state the nature of your emergency and location."
"I'm at the uh… western end of Fessenden park…" Taylor informed the dispatcher, "And I'm pretty sure there's this older woman having sex with a teen boy on a park bench?"
In better cities, some steamy public sex would be nothing at all, but this was Brockton Bay. Even before Dragon's renovations to the city, you tend to hear it happen from time to time: Older women, mostly former prostitutes themselves, suddenly coming onto clueless younger men and leading them to sus places with the promise of sex… Only for the young, dumb and full of cum teens to be lured into an ABB ambush and pressed into sexual slavery- forced to commit whatever degenerate acts pleased their highest bidder. Age of consent laws existed for more than just that reason too, but this was a pretty big one of them.
"I think it might be the ABB's honeypot tactic again. She's latina, black winter running jacket and black sweatpants, I think. Can't see much else right now. I'll try to get video evidence and send it to the police department. Sorry, this was more of a courtesy call than anything."
"Wait, don't hang u-"
But Taylor did- ending the call with a frown. Being an independent hero meant that she had to distance herself from established authorities after all. She gave them a heads up, now she was going to get things done her way. Yes, that sounded just about right. Sneaking closer, she made sure to approach from the cover of the vending machines by the footpath.
"On a park bench with a sixteen year old fondling my bare chest… It's not supposed to feel this good." A sultry feminine voice breathlessly moaned.
"I'm cheating, and when was the last time you've even been touched like this? Or like this…" The clueless guy's voice playfully chided before a muffled slap rang out through the winter air.
"Hey, who said you can spank my ass?" the woman faux warned, "You're almost a third my age, don't think I won't do the same for you."
"Let me make it up to you then…"
"You'd better… Mmmm~ Like that… your hands are surprisingly warm."
Taylor frowned.
It was worse than she thought. This sicko was clearly getting off to taking advantage of a minor. The number of times this woman would focus on their massive age difference was the clearest red flag. He was just sixteen too- likely just a few months older than Taylor herself, and she was- by her own admission- thrice his age. However, Taylor didn't know what to do right now. Does she walk out into the open and hope that's enough to scare away the woman? Does she use her powers when she has neither a proper swarm nor a costume yet?
"Hey!" the victim called out, and Taylor's brown eyes widened in dread. What was happening? Was the woman making her move?
"You've been getting too comfortable doing all the groping… it's my turn now." the woman said with a particularly visceral relish in her voice, "Mmm. Impressive, I can't fully wrap my fingers…"
Taylor couldn't help but blush at the implication of her words and had to restrain herself from making a letter O with her fingers. The woman was giving him a handj… Anyway! The situation was changing, and she still didn't know how to proceed. So, she turned to her one inspiration.
'Think, Taylor! What would Alexandria do in this situation?'
= T =
Alexandria in her iconic all black costume floated down from the sky.
"Lustful old hag, your days of luring teen boys to slavery with easy sex is over!" She declared, her black cape billowing dramatically in the winter breeze.
"Alexandria!" the older woman immediately went on her knees before the legendary heroine, "Wait, It was just a harmless handjob! I repent! I won't touch another minor for as long as I live!"
"Tell that to the judge!" Alexandria frowned, "Police take her away."
A squad of SWAT suddenly rappelled down from a helicopter and cuffed the latina.
"Alexandria, my hero!" The stupid teen victim shouted in relief, "May I gift a kiss to my heroine? Like in the movies but with the tropes inversed?"
"Nay, citizen." She replied with a righteous nod of her head, "For unlike that wrinkly cougar, I am not into teen boys just as a normal forty-something woman should be. But if there was truly someone you should thank, it would be Mysterious Insect Heroine Z for her vigilance."
Taylor stepped out from behind the vending machines- already dressed in a black costume that she had planned.
"I am just doing what is expected of me as an independent heroine, ma'am." Taylor cooly answered in a cool, mysterious voice.
"I am flattered by your basing your cool costume on mine, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z." Alexandria nodded in approval, "Come! Be my Cape apprentice and learn the ways of being a true Heroine!"
"O-okay!" Tay- Mysterious Insect Heroine Z agreed, "I want a cape like that though!"
"Done!" The legendary heroine replied, and with a flourish, pulled out a spare black cape from her pocket to hand to Taylor. "Wear it well, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z."
Taylor tried not to squeal in excitement as she put it on.
"I am the justice of the night. I am Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!"
= T =
[Back in reality]
Unfortunately for Taylor, Alexandria wasn't here to hand her a cape, but it did give her an idea to go on.
Use her power to disrupt their sex? No, they'd just run off and continue later somewhere else. Police response? Despite the generally lowered crime rate of upper Brockton Bay, she didn't think they'd respond to something like this quickly enough. So, that left her only option being… the video evidence she promised to send to the BBPD.
This was the moment of truth. She'll do Alexandria proud this day.
Lifting up her phone, she sneakily peeked around the vending machines and immediately realised that she was in grave danger… specifically, her heterosexuality was in grave danger.
Taylor's phone almost slipped from her hand as she actually caught sight of the amorous couple in question. A blond and vaguely familiar blond teen was being straddled by a smoking hot latina. Her back was turned to Taylor- obscuring her face. But it wasn't like Taylor didn't have a good eyeful of the woman. Long luxurious black hair, her sinfully shaped figure vaguely muscular, and a toned, bubbly ass in black sweatpants made you want to take a big bite out of it… Er, objectively speaking that is.
And Taylor was less sure of her mission now… Women in her mid-thirties don't look this young, do they? Were they just roleplaying this entire time? Her face felt like it was on fire, and it wasn't from the sight in front of her either. Oh god, had she just called the police for nothing? Maybe they'll just chalk it up as a prank call?
"You're throbbing so much in my hand." Taylor heard the latina note aloud- a silver of pride in her voice. "Where'd my life go so wrong that I'm pleasuring a boy almost a third my age?"
Taylor blushed at the woman's tone of voice, even she could tell that the older woman was getting off on the idea. Speaking of which, that's right… She was still breaking age of consent laws, wasn't she? That meant that she should keep watching right? Gather info and evidence on the crime? Taylor glanced at her phone that was still recording. Yeah… this was good practice for being an independent hero.
"Well, if you're facing jail time, let me make it worth it at least?" the blond asked as his fingers fumbled for the latina's sweatpants, and Taylor's blush turned nuclear.
"Here? Now? Are you insan- mmmph? Mmmmmm~" the older woman moaned into the guy's mouth, "Oh, what am I doing agreeing to this…?"
Taylor froze. Were they actually going to have sex in public? She guessed that they could get away with it- the park was pretty secluded after all. Especially empty this time of year… except for her. Taylor gulped. The right thing to do was to just leave and give them some privacy, but this was also a crime in progress and she was a key eyewitness… maybe the actual right thing to do was keep watching?
However, before she could finish wrestling with homoerotic desire (And winning of course), Taylor slipped on a spot of frozen puddle and met a face full of snow with a loud icy crunch. Immediately, the blond teen spotted her. His blue eyes meeting Taylor's own brown ones, and his mouth opened, likely to scream 'Peeping tom!'
"Hey, it's Taylor!" He greeted her instead with a sheepish grin as he pulled up his pants, "What an unexpected coincidence! We didn't notice you!"
A cold pit formed in Taylor's stomach. That was even worse than being called a peeping tom! Of all the people she could have been caught peeping on, it had to be people who knew her!
"Uh, hi!?" She stammered as she scrambled to her feet- dusting off the snow and desperately trying to act natural and not like she had been peeping on the two make out and arrive at third base. "If I'm interrupting, I'll just leave- uh, not that I saw anything!"
"It's fine, we shouldn't be doing this anyway. Not in public at least." the blond quipped with a smirk as he fixed his clothing. Taylor's wandering eyes- momentarily catching a glimpse of abs and she breathed a sigh of relief. That was good, men still turned her on… Only for her relief to turn into arou- horror as she caught a glimpse of the latina's delicious brown abs as she fixed her clothing. The only sign of her inappropriate levels of public affection being her slightly messed up black hair that looked sexy in all the right ways… ahem, objectively speaking.
'Wait a minute… ' Taylor realised, 'I know this person.'
"Good morning, Taylor." the woman sighed as she fixed her clothes and hair- her lips drawn into a thin, unamused line. Yeah, Taylor figured that even she would be unamused if she got interrupted with a cute boy.
"Rebecca, right?" She half guessed while hiding a wince. "You work at the restaurant car in the subway?"
She wasn't the type of person who paid attention to faces, because it usually meant risking being caught looking at people's faces. But she'd been taking the subway with her dad on the regular the past few weeks, and the head waitress was certainly a face to remember. Now she knew they were just roleplaying- Rebecca couldn't be any older than 19! Technically still illegal, but… a 19 year old and 16 year old? Two teens three years apart was definitely in the blurry line of what's socially acceptable.
"Got it in one." Rebecca replied with a small, but enviously pretty smile, "I remember you too. Danny's daughter. You usually order the truffle lasagna while Danny orders penne shrimp formaggio."
"Didn't know we were regulars…" Taylor murmured- grateful for the topic shifting from where she was peeping on them, "Or that you were on a first name basis with my dad."
Rebecca just laughed.
"The 'meatbags' who work for Magos have a tight-knit community." She explained with a shrug, "There aren't exactly a lot of us despite the Mechanicus being a multi-billion dollar company. So, we tend to remember each other's names and faces. Especially people higher up like Danny."
That gave Taylor pause. Was her dad really that important? Wow, maybe she underestimated her dad's job all this time, but she should have seen that coming- he was always humble about what he did.
Meanwhile, the blond teen just arched an eyebrow.
"You remember your waitress, but you don't remember me?" he asked her.
"She sees me almost everyday." Rebecca readily came to Taylor's defence, "The two of you have met only once, I think."
"Ah, my bad." He smiled good-naturedly as he shook her hand, "Aoicus McHann, we met at Fugly Bob's. You were with Glory Girl and Panacea, remember?"
"Oh… uh, sorry for not remembering you." She apologised, "You had your back turned to me and Amy for most of that time then. And I uh… I kinda have a lot on my mind right now."
"That's fine… Hey, would you mind if we join you on your run?" He asked Taylor before briefly glancing at Rebecca, "You good to continue our run?"
"We have to burn calories one way or another." She replied. "If Taylor is okay with the company that is?"
"S-sure. I was just going to do a few rounds in this park before turning back." Taylor awkwardly nodded. After cockblocking them, it was the least that she could do to make up to them.
"It's actually been a while since I've had a run since…" Rebecca trailed off with a small smile, "I'll establish a comfortable pace."
Of course, Taylor couldn't help but take a quick stare as Rebecca stretched a bit.
"She's packing some junk in her trunk, right?"
"I know." Taylor whispered back with a nod… Only to freeze as she realised who was talking to her.
Aoicus just smirked at her mortification.
Oh god, this run was going to be awkward.
(A little later)
Taylor's HP (Heterosexuality Points) took another hit as she lagged behind them to catch her breath, and the meantime, she was treated to the sight of her two new jogging buddies and their toned asses. No, it was dipping into the yellow numbers now. She wasn't ready for bisexuality just yet!
So, it was kind of a relief when they stopped at a water fountain for a break.
"Running like you owe someone money?" Aoicus chuckled as he and Rebecca came back for her.
"Kinda?" Taylor replied with a big exhale- trying not to think about that $3000 that she had blown on getting Alexandria in Overwatch: Battlefront.
"Short on rent?" he assumed with a laugh, "Eh, we've all been there once or twice. I remember my brief stint squatting beside a landfill… Hey, Rebecca, wasn't the train you're on looking for a part-timer in the first class car? The hours paid a lot better than most part-time jobs if I recall correctly."
"That's true…" the latina hummed in agreement- her brown eyes looking over to Taylor, "You're around sixteen, right?"
"I'm fifteen, but…" Taylor answered with an arched eyebrow- feeling slightly suspicious at how helpful they were being, despite her cockblocking them, "We don't know each other that well?"
"Not true!" Aoicus chirped with a grin- apparently not bothered by her comment, "Vicky knows you, and she'd be cross with me if I didn't make an effort to get along with her friends. Amy too, I think."
"I don't think I'd count as her friend… we're just duplex neighbours." she murmured. After the shitshow with Emma, she wasn't ready to make friends just yet. Especially with another popular girl.
"Heh, don't let Vicky hear you say that." he warned with a smirk, "She'll take it as a challenge."
"Maybe. Thanks for the offer, I guess." She replied- rubbing the back of her head, "But a part-time job isn't what I'm after right now."
… Except for the fact that she had been weighing the pros and cons of being an independent hero on Whitelist this entire time.
"If you change your mind, Taylor, hit me up." Rebecca smiled and Taylor once again tried to suppress the butterflies in stomach with her power. "I'll help you get a better chance at landing the job."
"Thanks."
Taylor felt her mouth quirk into an almost smile. It was a good feeling… almost like having friends and people she could count on. A shame then that the moment had to be ruined by a trio of asian gentlemen blocking their path. Hard-eyes looking straight at them. Tattoos peeking out of their sleeves of their winter coats. Even in Brockton Bay, the gangbangers were apparently enjoying the fruits that fell so close from the Mechanicus metallic tree of heavy industries.
"Hey, you." the lead yakuza-looking one with the shoulder-length hair and goatee called out… to Rebecca? "Yes, you. We want to ask you a question."
But instead of replying to the ABB gangster, the latina looked over to Aoicus.
"Are they…" She trailed off, and the blond teen shook his head.
"No, I actually don't know these people."
"So, they're really accosting us in broad daylight?"
"You've been here for around a month." he pointed out, "You should not underestimate Brockton Bay."
"And you have been here for three months? But I suppose you have a point…" Rebecca sighed before turning her attention back to the yakuza-looking gangster, "Out with it. What is it that you want?"
Taylor had to admire the balls on the woman- arms crossed over her chest as she stood utterly fearless against the gang that was the boogeyman of young women in the American North-east. In contrast… Taylor's brown eyes glanced over to Aoicus. He was faintly muscular, but more in the 'Hollywood boy band muscular' than anyone actually physically imposing. He didn't look like he would last a second against the real gritty violence of Brockton Bay gangsters. He was lucky that Rebecca was willing to stand up for them.
Just in case things got ugly- and knowing Brockton Bay, it was definitely about to- Taylor began gathering a swarm in the surrounding trees.
"We are not here for any trouble." the ABB gangster still insisted- lighting a cigarette, "We wish to know who your employer is so that we may have a… civil discussion with him. Just a name or an address, and we will leave. Peacefully."
"My employer's name is Magos, and his manufactorum is right there." Rebecca dismissed- jabbing her thumb at the gargantuan spires that rose up from the city's southeastern edge, "Now move out of the way."
"Don't play coy." He almost snarled- meeting Rebecca eye to eye. "We are not looking to harm you, girl. This is just business. With the migration of people from the surrounding cities looking to share in the prosperity of Brockton Bay, Lung has been quick to discover that vermin often travels with them- stealing ripe fruits from ABB territory without his blessing…"
He glanced at Aoicus for a moment- likely noting the blond as a 'ripe fruit' for the ABB to 'harvest' later on.
"… And we have- as you Americans say- 'heard from the grapevine' that you have been part of such unsanctioned operations. And I will repeat myself for the last time, we are not looking for violence, only a name and an address."
"Clearly you heard wrong." Rebecca scoffed, "I'm just a waitress in one of the church-trains."
It was at that moment that Taylor realised… This was all her fault. After all, it only made sense that the Azn Bad Boys- fat and rich from leeching off Brockton Bay's newfound prosperity- would have insiders in the BBPD, and they'd use that connection to find and eliminate competition to their human trafficking empire. But she didn't think that they'd act so quickly! Have the Azn Bad Boys really grown this influential?
"I think you should come with us. All of you." the lead ABB gangster said in a growl, "That is not a request."
"Rebecca… Just stay calm and don't do anything reckless. Things will handle itself, I'm sure." Taylor heard Aoicus say and she couldn't keep the sneer off her face. Was Aoicus really not going to make even a peep of protest? Spineless coward, probably never had the balls to do anything in his life.
"Listen to the boy, or I cannot guarantee that you will not be harme- Augggh!"
Naturally, Taylor had different and more violent ideas… like shoving a fistful of cockroaches into the ABB gangsters' mouths for one. The rest of the swarm soon followed. A buzzing black cloud of insects emerged from the snow-covered trees and covered the three gangsters as they flailed desperately in the snow. She guided the insects through openings in their clothing and had them bite whatever skin was exposed.
Taylor liked to think it's what Alexandria would have done.
"Well, they're definitely dead from that." Aoicus noted out loud, and that was enough to snap Taylor out of her fury. At her will, the swarm receded to reveal the yellow-skin of the gangsters had gone pockmarked with angry red bite marks.
"Fair citizens of Brockton Bay, we were in the vicinity and heard a commotion." Two Chloe-Skitarii greeted as they arrived running, armed and armoured in their usual blue Taser weapons and red robes.
"Oh, some of Magos' Chloes!" Aoicus breathed a sigh of relief, "What good fortune, we're saved! And so are they, I suppose."
"No injuries detected." One Chloe observed as her robotic blue eyes looked at them before moving onto the fallen gangsters who were whimpering pitifully in the snowy path.
"Anaphylactic shock detected, administering epinephrine." The other Chloe-Skitarii observed as they began jabbing needles into the gangster's thighs, "Further medical attention required. Notifying emergency services… Response acquired. Acknowledging ambulance dispatch from Brockton Bay General Hospital, ETA: 12 minutes. Engaging defibrillation subsystem… condition stabilising. Incoming police response, ETA: 8 minutes."
Panicking, Taylor glanced at the twitching bodies of the barely alive gangsters as the Chloes shocked them. She doubted that they would have been alive otherwise… Oops? And self defence wasn't going to be a valid defence when she used her powers in her secret identity. Should she run? No, wait. That would look incredibly suspicious. How about she just play dumb instead? Yeah, that bug-controlling cape must be somewhere else right now. It was a good plan on preserving her secret identity if not for…
A hand rested on Taylor's shoulder.
"I think this is the part where you join the Wards." Rebecca advised her- a serious look on her face.
"Rebecca… ease up." Aoicus chided softly, "That's up to Taylor, isn't it? She could join an independent cape group or New Wave or something."
"No, she had her chance until just now." Rebecca argued with the blond, "And there are already too many independents and rogues and villains. You know that Earth-Bet needs to be more stable, and we do that by consolidating and integrating Capes, not excluding them. Seeing her power and her… eagerness to use it, being an independent is the last thing she should be."
"What's wrong with being an independent?" Taylor couldn't help but ask.
Rebecca's brown eyes glanced at the swelling up gangsters on the ground before back at Taylor.
"Unless you plan on killing them, the ABB now knows what you look like out of the mask." She calmly explained, "They'll come for you, and every other Cape group will either shun you or strongarm you because of that animosity with the ABB. You need the protection of the PRT, and the PRT needs capes like you. I know you have your heart in the right place, Taylor, you have that heroic look to you. And even if you tried, you're now too hot for the Whitelist. Being an independent is already an arduous and risky path especially when you're just fifteen, but with a major gang after you? I doubt your chances. The Wards were established specifically for people in your position."
So many questions ran through Taylor's mind. Was Rebecca secretly a PRT officer all this time? Why was she working for the Mechanicus then? What will she actually do now that Taylor pretty much outed herself to them? But right now…
"I don't know how this is in any way your decision to make for me." Taylor replied with narrowed eyes. After Winslow and the trio. being in the Wards just seemed more of that, to be honest. Surrounded by petty, teen drama elevated to the stresses of being on a Cape reality show.
Rebecca- however- was unbothered by her protest, an austere statue-like expression on her brown face.
"It's not so much that I'm making the decision for you, it's more that I'm pointing out the only right answer."
Taylor really, really didn't like that kind of self-assured 'I know what's best for you, so you should be thanking me' attitude. It reminded her of Principal Blackwell's usual tactics when covering for the trio's bullying. But just before Taylor could tell Rebecca where to stuff her right answer, a policewoman with a navy winter jacket walked up to them- data-slate in hand.
"Sorry to interrupt your chatting, just wanted to check up on you all." She asked them- a strong Canadian accent colouring her voice, "Since the Chloes aren't fussing over any of you, everyone got out of this unharmed, eh?"
Taylor gave the three ABB gangsters a quick glance.
"Everyone that matters at least, officer." she answered.
"That's good to hear. Wish I could hear it more often." the cop nodded tapping at her data-slate, "If it's not too much of a bother, I'll just take your witness statements."
"We will happily handle that for them, officer." one of the Chloes answered with a smile, "Especially since we were involved."
"Alright then." the Canadian police woman nodded- a bit bewildered, "This will actually be the first time I take a witness statement from a sex doll. But when in Rome… eh? So, unless you have other concerns, I'll leave you to it."
Taylor saw how Rebecca was eyeing her, and she just knew that the older woman wasn't about to get off her back about joining the Wards. And she had to wonder if Rebecca would go so far as to tell the PRT about her, just to get her in the Wards.
She bit her lip, wondering what Alexandria would do in this situation.
= T =
"It's Alexandria!" Rebecca cried out- pointing at the legendary heroine as she descended from the sky.
"Yes, I am!" Alexandria declared before pointing a finger at the cowering latina, "And I won't let you force my cape assistant into the Wards, you kid-diddling hussy. Take her away!"
"But Tay- Mysterious Insect Heroine Z will be safe in the Wards!" Rebecca pleaded as the camouflaged SWAT officers walked out of the bushes to handcuff her.
"Hmph!" Alexandria scoffed- flicking her gorgeous black hair over her shoulder, "Mysterious Insect Heroine Z doesn't need to join the Wards to fight on the side of Good. Heroes must be free to do what is right. Besides… I think the PRT will have a powerful ally in her in the future regardless."
She glanced at Taylor who was perched atop a convenient lamppost- her own black cape billowing in the wind.
"Whenever the PRT needs help in fighting the Good Fight, I will be there." Taylor coolly agreed, "But I must not and will not be constrained within the Wards and highschool drama."
"Well said, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z." Alexandria approved with a nod. "Come with me, let me introduce you to the local Protectorate and Wards. I'm sure they'll be happy to see a new independent hero being their ally out on the field."
"But that's so far, and I haven't figured out how to fly yet…"
"Not a problem."
A red Land Speeder glided around the corner- like the one he gifted to George Lucas as part of his deal to buy Star Wars.
"Here, one of Magos' Land Speeders, may it help you in your battles against evil." Alexandria said as Taylor ran her hand across the hood before glancing at the Triumvirate heroine.
"I want it in black!"
"Just so."
Another Land Speeder, now in all black, glided around the corner and parked beside the first.
"Take the wheel, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z." Alexandria beckoned as she climbed in the passenger seat, "Impress me with your intended plans of heroism as you drive us to Protectorate ENE HQ."
"I will!"
= T =
Wait… kid-diddling hussy? That gave Taylor an idea.
"Actually officer…. I actually made a call earlier." She spoke up. "The one about sex with a minor?"
"Wait, what?!" Rebecca squawked in surprise which Taylor relished.
"She fits the description you gave, eh?" the policewoman said, pulling out her handcuffs and raising an eyebrow at Rebecca.
"Yes, officer. This woman right here." Taylor confirmed with a smug smile as she pulled out her phone and replayed the recording that she took. Unmistakably Rebecca on Aoicus lap just a few minutes ago- the latina's voice speaking.
"You're almost a third my age, don't think I won't do the same for you."
"Let me make it up to you then…"
"You'd better… Mmmm~ Like that… your hands are surprisingly warm."
"Taylor! What the hell!?" Rebecca shouted in panic, "No wait, officer! He's actually eighteen!"
Both Rebecca and the police woman expectantly looked at Aoicus. The former did so more desperately than the latter. But the blond teen just smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, it also says that I'm sixteen on my actually legal learner's permit." He said with a shrug, "And with the PHO rumours about me being GG's boyfriend, it's publicly known that I'm sixteen."
…
The click of locking handcuffs rang through the cool winter air, and the policewoman read Rebecca her Miranda Rights.
"Unbelievable. Of all the things I get arrested over…" Rebecca groaned out loud as she looked at the handcuffs around her wrists before staring at Taylor, "Really, Taylor? You're going to get me arrested so that you can avoid a conversation?"
Taylor just looked away- refusing to meet the latina's eyes.
"When you put it that way, it does sound bad, but… It's what Alexandria would have done." she nodded, and the handcuffed latina just sputtered in stark disbelief.
"What do you mean 'It's what Alexandria would have done?!'"
"I think Taylor here is a big Alexandria fan." The blond accurately guessed, and Rebecca's brown eyes lit up with hope.
"If she's your role model, then she'd definitely want you to sign up!" Rebecca assured, but Taylor just looked at her with a critical eye.
"Not to be rude or anything, but… How would you know what Alexandria wants? You don't even seem the type to follow her social media."
"Yeah, Rebecca. She has you there." Aoicus snickered beside Taylor somewhat confused that he was taking her side on this, "You definitely don't follow Alexandria's social media. You wouldn't know anything about Alexandria."
"But I'm- how is that in any way- Ugh, forget it!"
Taylor just nodded with a satisfied smile. It felt good to win an argument. She sure destroyed her with facts and logic.
"And you!" Rebecca growled at him. "You're having too much fun with this! This is serious!"
"Yes, I am. And yes, it is indeed serious." Aoicus conceded, "I just think what you're suggesting is the wrong move… if you can recall our previous conversations about the PRT."
"Aoicus! Get her to sign up!" the latina desperately pleaded to the blond- switching tactics. "That would be hilarious to you if she signed on and actually met Alexandria in person, right? Right?"
"Realistically…" Taylor hummed in thought, "… even if I signed up, I don't think I'd ever meet Alexandria. In person, I mean… What's so funny?"
Rebecca just palmed her face, and Aoicus just chortled into his fist.
"That would indeed be very amusing…" He nodded sagely as they walked her to the patrol car, "But no, things will work out best this way- trust me."
"Can you at least do something about this? Legally?" Rebecca asked Aoicus as she lifted up her handcuffs, and Taylor felt sort of bad. Sort of. She kind of deserved it.
"Don't worry about jail time or getting charged with a sex crime!" He reassured her with a grin, "I'll see that a couple of Chloe-Attorneys come and clear things up once you arrive at the station."
"Those Chloe-Attorneys better be good, I am not sleeping in a cell." Rebecca sighed. "… Or getting on a sex offender registry."
"Of course, of course." He nodded before catching the latina's lips in a deep kiss, "I'll even take you out on a nice apology dinner after this."
Meanwhile, Taylor and the policewoman just shared bewildered glances as the two kissed. A silent agreement between them that anyone who tongue-kissed a minor that passionately definitely belonged in a sex offender registry.
"I hate how good you are at that…" Rebecca muttered softly before the policewoman shut the door, and they were off. With Aoicus' girlfriend taken away by the police, that left her alone with him in the snowy park… and she didn't know how to start a conversation with him after getting his older girlfriend arrested. Maybe apologising for cockblocking him?
"Aoicus? I'm sorry that I got your girlfriend arrested (kinda?). But she was uh… threatening me with PRT, so… yeah."
Good enough apology, she supposed.
"No harm, no foul." he shrugged, " The District Attorney of Brockton Bay is very understanding when it comes to anything regarding Magos. The maître d on his trains getting arrested? Knowing the Chloe-Attorneys, she'll be out in about twenty minutes."
Right… Taylor forgot all about that- how Rebecca was the head waitress in one of his trains. Having some legal help at the ready seemed like a great perk for the job. But that came with a question that Taylor didn't like at all…
"So, Magos knows? About me, I mean." Taylor asked him. And as the snow began to fall lightly around them, Aoicus smiled an almost predatory smile- all teeth.
"Of course Magos knows." He said with that smile, "The Chloes were there, weren't they? He may as well been here all this time."
Taylor wasn't stupid. She was familiar with the tropes and could put the pieces together. The way he said it… the shine in his eyes… the cheshire cat smile… the sheer familiarity with the Chloes… Taylor could only come to one plausible conclusion.
"You're a corpo-cape who answers to Magos, aren't you?" Taylor surmised with a suspicious look, and the blond eyebrow he raised just confirmed that she hit the nail on the head.
"You know that you're definitely not supposed to ask that."
"Why not? It seems pretty obvious now." She insisted- loving the feeling of going on the verbal offensive as she thought back to the clues laid out in front of her, "You didn't so much as blink when swarms of bugs fly out of nowhere. You seem to be a lot more privy to how the Chloes work. And… you didn't answer the question."
Aoicus just shook his head in exasperation.
"Seems you're unfamiliar with the Unwritten Rules. That's fine, we'll bring you up to speed." He noted, "And yes, I am indeed a Cape: I'm that teleporting Cape that evacuated Glory Girl from that fight with Bastard Son."
"Called it." Taylor smiled- satisfied that she was already establishing an identity as being observant, "And it must be nice having a Mover rating though. Teleportation is one of those powers that a lot of people dream of having. But… do you have a cape name though? Even PHO hasn't settled on a name yet."
"I am not interested in growing my brand." He scoffed. "I'm already gainfully employed for the next century at least, so I'm not concerned with making a name for myself."
"Not like Magos, huh?" She chuckled, glancing at the ostentatious manufactorum in the distance, "Your boss must be compensating for something."
The blond teen just aimed a flat look at her.
"What? It's true!" She defended herself, and Aoicus just shook his head.
"I just had the sudden urge to call you a stupid, mouthy meatbag on behalf of Magos." He sighed, before looking down the lightly snowing streets, "Our ride is almost here. I know a Rogue team looking for a new member. Locally based, and around your age. They've been looking for a new member lately and I think you'll be a good enough fit."
"Hold up." Taylor protested with a skeptical expression, "I didn't agree to joining any group just yet. I don't even have a costume yet, and… why are you even helping me?"
Aoicus just rolled his blue eyes.
"Firstly, you could still go independent, yes." he said with a tone of voice that said he was humouring her, "But you can be sure that the moment you go out in your costume as 'that bug girl,' the ABB is going to recognise your power. That man you fed with cockroaches was pretty high up if you couldn't tell by his fluent english and professional disposition."
"If I was scared of going against Villains, I wouldn't be trying to become an independent hero." Taylor half-lied- the thought of having to face Lung or Oni Lee scared her shitless.
"Nothing is ever certain with cape fights." Aoicus said simply and solemnly. "The only certain thing is that Danny will inevitably be dragged into this if you go Independent; and if he's involved then- by extension- so is the Mechanicus. And as much as Magos no doubt prizes your father's services, he isn't going to be happy fixing the ABB problem for you… Unless you redirect their attention elsewhere."
It was like a punch to the gut for Taylor- knowing that his dad was going to get tangled up in her mess. And as if to match her melancholy, the snow began to fall just a bit harder than as well- the white snow dusting her underdressed shoulders.
"And that's why I'm helping you." He nodded, "Because this IS a Mechanicus matter now. Which means that it's my job to smooth things out as best as I can."
"Fine, you've made your point." Taylor frowned as she found this- everything about this situation that she was in- to be extremely frustrating. "So, I'll get roped into the Mechanicus by default if I don't join any other cape group, huh?"
"Joining the Wards is also on the table." He shrugged. "It'll be socially draining being one of those prized media darlings of the PRT, but you'll sleep with a clean conscience, and rub shoulders with bona fide Heroes."
"Hard pass." Taylor grunted just as the sleek black sedan of a Chloe-Cab stopped on the road in front of them. "We taking the cab to that cape group?
"Not exactly." Aoicus grinned as he pulled open the door to reveal the occupying blonde girl who was definitely not expecting her ride's door to suddenly open. Her bottle-green wide open in surprise over her pale freckled cheeks.
"Who the hell… Oh, hey bo- Aoicus! Hitching a ride with us?"
"Yes, make some room." Aoicus gestured to her, and the blonde girl complied as she slid inwards to make space for him, and all the while, she silently looked at Taylor with a curious expression.
Taylor looked at the Chloe-cab's warm interior before glancing at the empty park all around her- the snow falling even more now to coat everything in white. Now, what did her mother say about getting into cars with strangers?
She got into the car- sitting beside Aoicus with the blonde girl seated across him, and…
"Wait, is that the streamer Jean16?!" Taylor squawked at the guy(?) seated across from her. Soft brown hair slightly ruffled, and a litany of feminine features that Taylor wished she had: A delicate facial shape, flawless soft skin to long toned legs clad in thigh-highs and a miniskirt that looked all too good on him. Now, she really didn't know what was going on, "Are you having me join a team or a streamer collab? Because I'm definitely not going to be shaking my ass for money."
"It seems my reputation precedes me." Jean16 smiled serenely, "I don't say this often, but… Thanks, it was just what I needed after today."
"Uh, you're welcome?"
"So, Aoicus…" The blonde girl cut in. "What's the deal with her?"
"She assaulted an ABB 'talent recruiter' while she was unmasked." he promptly explained, "And now, she's looking for a group to avoid the usual ABB retaliation. So, congratulations, you have that heavy-hitter that you've been looking for. From what I've seen, she has fine insect control in more than a 40 metre radius- everything from cockroaches to spiders to beetles and possibly everything else. And likely a mild Thinker rating allows her almost infinite multitasking in controlling her bugs."
The other girl's green eyes stared at her with a strange intensity, and Taylor felt that cold shiver down her spine again. Oh no, what had she gotten to now…
"Interesting." the blonde commented as her mouth stretched into a fox-like grin, "So, the Undersiders finally have their first hopeful wanting to join the team, huh? You look like a serious kind of gal… My name's Lisa Wilbourn, and I think you're going to be an excellent fit."
"Wait, the Undersiders?!" Taylor gasped as she recognised the name from her internet browsing and immediately rounded on the Aoicus, "They're villains! You're crazy if you think I'm going to join a Villain team!"
"We're leaning towards more heroic work nowadays." Lisa shrugged, "It may not have been widely known, but we helped the PRT out during the Bastard Son fight. So, our total score is about a 30-70 split between Heroic and Villainous intentions."
"No! Just no! I'm not going to go Villain!"
"Forgive her naivete." Aoicus told Lisa- the both of them clearly unbothered by Taylor's vigorous refusal, "She doesn't know how the Cape world works just yet. The Unwritten Rules, the Cops and Robbers masquerade or even a good costume… So fill her in, train her up, give her pep talks, and make doubly sure she doesn't escalate conflicts."
"Sheesh, the whole enchilada huh?" Lisa clarified with an arched brow, "No wonder she wound up unmasking herself."
"Hey! What do you mean by that 'no wonder' part?!" Taylor protested… only to be ignored again as Lisa's hands met together in a clap.
"Alright, new girl!" the blonde girl grinned, "Let's educate you with some boot camp before we pop your Cape cherries: Your first gig, your first fight against other capes and your first big payout. Oh, it's going to be a fun ride! But first!…"
Lisa smirked almost lustfully at Aoicus.
"What are the magic words, handsome?" she purred, and he rolled his eyes.
"I'll forward my recommendation to Magos about giving you all a corresponding pay increase." He sighed.
"'Corresponding pay increase.' Oh, I love it when you talk dirty." Lisa grinned before waggling her blonde brows at him, "And you'll say hi to Magos for us, won't you Aoicus?"
"… I will."
Taylor felt like she was missing out on some inside joke the two had going.
"Speaking of pay…" Aoicus muttered out loud as he looked at the femboy seated across Taylor, "Hand me your panties."
"Really? Right here, right now?!" the brunette femboy excitedly said, "I thought you'd never ask!"
And to Taylor's horror, Jean16 reached up his skirt to slide those blue-striped panties down his long legs. Her mind filtering out the sight of that feminine penis for the sake of her own sanity. So dumbstruck was she that she forgot to protest when Aoicus placed the panties into her palm.
'Still warm to the touch.' Taylor thought with dull horror.
"Consider it your signing bonus." Aoicus told her with an indulgent smile of a boss giving his employee their bonus, "They're very valuable especially since he had Void_Cuwuboy's face grinding against them for a while."
Taylor's sanity took additional damage as her mind parsed the words and she realised that he got into a fight with Greg and ground his crotch into his face.
"Got that skirt-stealing skank good." Jean16 chirped with a satisfied nod and smile, and it was then that Taylor regained control of her mouth enough to form words.
"Couldn't you pay me in cash or Omnicoin?!" She shrieked, at the very edge of freaking out.
"But they're worth $2500 at least."
Taylor froze at the quote, and she found her hand traitorously refusing all attempts at throwing the warm panties to the floor.
"Hey! I know some people who'd gladly go $4000 for that!" Jean16 disputed with a disturbingly cute pout on his pink lips before looking over to Aoicus. "Hey, since I gave Taylor my panties, do you want a quickie?"
"Not it." Aoicus replied, and Jean16 looked to Lisa.
"Not it." She snorted. Then everyone looked at Taylor expectantly.
"Oh come on, you know you want to~" Jean16 purred as he crossed and uncrossed his thighhigh-clad legs- flashing Taylor his- Nevermind, her blush turned nuclear.
"I-I don't swing that way!" She almost shouted. "Wait, I do, but just not with- No wait, that's homophobic. Wait, are traps gay? Shit, was that a slur?! But the point I'm trying to make is- Aaarrrgghhh!"
Lisa and Jean16 shared a matching set of grins, and Taylor felt that shiver run down her spine again.
"She's so serious over femboys. Like Brian." Jean16 mentioned to Lisa.
"Exactly like Brian." the blonde girl agreed before aiming a sadistic grin at Taylor, "Oh, this is the start of a beautiful working relationship. Let me help you move those panties. If anyone deserves a $4000 signing bonus, it'll be you, champ."
Taylor looked down to the panties in her hands. She didn't know what was worse: That she was actually relieved to have them, or there was a microscopic part of her (read: her libido) that was waking up from this. This whole day has been just a rollercoaster ride for her sexual preferences.
What would Alexandria do in this situation?
= T =
(A few weeks later)
"Halt, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!" Alexandria frowned at the sight of Taylor and the Undersiders at the PRT Rig. The entire Protectorate ENE with Armsmaster, Miss Militia, Triumph and the Speedster Trio all standing in a line before her.
"You have betrayed the cause of good and brought Villains to our doorstep, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!" Armsmaster accused with a dramatic flourish of his halberd and pointed its plasma blade straight at Taylor.
"No… let her speak." Alexandria calmly spoke as she pushed down the halberd with her bare hands. "She was brave enough to stand up against the ABB and apprehend that reprehensible child-molesting latina… there has to be more to this."
"Don't harm our hero! We're here to turn ourselves in!" Lisa cried out- throwing herself to Alexandria's feet. "Mysterious Insect Heroine Z infiltrated the group, curbed our worst impulses while lifting up all our heroic ones. We now want to permanently convert to the Path of Good!"
"I want to wear pants now!" Jean16 added, "But not because Mysterious Insect Heroine Z was homophobic or anything, but because I don't want to flash my feminine penis at anyone (who doesn't like it) ever again!"
Alexandria merely smiled a small smile.
"I knew it…" She spoke- her voice watery with bittersweet pride, "Mysterious Insect Heroine Z… you never strayed from the light, did you?"
"I walked the path of darkness, so that others need not." Taylor said with a cool, hoarse voice as she stood there with her black cape billowing in the bay's breeze.
"I- We were wrong about you, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!" Armsmaster cried out- tears streaming down his cheeks. "How can we ever repay you for your selfless service?!"
Taylor coolly turned her back towards the gathered heroes.
"Furthering the cause of good is its own reward…" She replied- glancing over her cape-covered shoulder like in the movies.
"Please, let us make a toy line, a trilogy of movies and a single by Canary in honour of your noble sacrifice!"
"If that will inspire others to become heroic… then okay!" Taylor humbly allowed. "But I want to be part of the movies' production team!"
"Of course." Alexandria nodded, "But first, there are a few reporters about to give you an interview."
Suddenly, a crowd of reporters came to ask her questions- chanting her name as they held up their cameras and microphones.
"Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!" One piped up, "Is it true that your story started when Jean16 gave you his panties and you used the $4000 to buy all sorts of cool gadgets to help you in your heroic acts?!"
"Yes… it was an absurd start to my career, but we all start from somewhere."
= T =
Watching Taylor, I thought replacing my biological brain with a blessed machine would preclude myself from having a headache, but here I was- nursing a phantom migraine.
"Boss…" Lisa whispered to me as we both watched Taylor space out. "… Is there any particular reason why this girl is a few sandwiches short of a picnic?"
"She becomes lost in her thoughts easily." I whispered back to her, "Subconsciously offloads her emotions to her swarm, but when there's little swarm to be found like right now during winter?"
"….She becomes a normal socially stunted 15-year-old. I gotcha." Lisa finished with a subtle nod.
I expected to do a lot of things today. Deflowering a 42-year-old virgin tomboy, entertaining myself watching a biokinetic coomer wrestle with her growing addiction for blonde sex dolls, and calling in that sexual favour from my AI Overlord girlfriend to get her to wear a french maid outfit during sex. But instead, I have to play babysitter to the person who would kill this universe's equivalent of a xeno god.
Just look at her! Sitting there with that spacey smile on her face as she holds that pair of femboy panties!
I gave her three days to not screw things up, and she didn't even last fifteen minutes after meeting us. The ABB, clued in to both Taylor's existence and her power. Alexandria, almost becoming a registered sex offender facing up to four years in jail, and Taylor had taken her Alexandria hero worship and turned it into an almost schizophrenic delusion… which I am half-convinced is her Shard influencing her.
The bar was already set so low that it was a tripping hazard in hell. But there Taylor was, limbo-dancing with the devil.
Fucking Taylor.
- The Many Delusions of Mysterious Insect Heroine Z! end -
Come the Waifu Apocalypse Coming soon
Holidays kicked my rear…
But now we can go back to what's truly important: memeing.
Omake: Fallout 4
[The Institute]
To those that lived within its sterile white halls, the Institute was the final bastion of humanity- bravely holding aloft the last burning torch of science against an oncoming dark age of ignorance and fear. And to all those that lived outside it, the Institute was a place of infamy and cruelty- trampling, with neither rhyme nor reason, on the lives of those merely trying to survive the wasteland that the world has become.
But these were strange days they lived in, and now… a powerful yet inscrutable force stalks the wasteland. Its intentions, unknowable. Its hunger, depthless.
For ringing throughout their halls, a desperate cry could be heard. One that Shaun- or 'Father' as he was known in the Institute- had grown to dread…
"Cock! I need His cock! I'll do anything! Just get my naughty synth pussy back onto that thick hard thing!"
… The desperate cry for cock. How droll.
Pulling his white labcoat tight, Shaun marched into the Department of the Synth Retention Bureau- the source of that strange shouting. Unfortunately, people were still being drawn as well. Morbid curiosity for some, honest concern for most. Human and synth personnel craned their necks high as they tried to sneak a peek and muttered amongst themselves. It made Shaun's beard itch. Regardless, he just pushed past them all- many of them apologising for blocking his route.
The secure doors opened before Shaun to reveal the 'medical' bay for their Courser units.
Thick bands of reinforced white alloy secured their latest patient- a pale-skinned Courser with blonde hair and stripped of its standard issue armoured coat. The Courser's naked bio-synthetic body struggled mightily against the metal binds that held it down on the operating table. Dirt caked onto its synthetic skin while it looked and drooled what can only be semen from all of three of its orifices…
… Which was especially worrying since their Courser models had neither vaginas nor anuses installed when they left the premises.
"Justin, do you have good news this time around?" Shaun greeted the Head of Synth Retention Bureau- the man's shaved head of white hairs bowed as he stared at the Institute's latest problem.
"Just a ready supply of bad news, I'm afraid… just watch." Justin Ayo muttered in dismay before turning his attention towards the restrained blonde synth-hunter, "Courser Y-33. Initialize factory reset. Authorization code Delta-5-9-Hotel."
"… Cock! I need His cock!"
"As you can see, the recall code has no effect- just like the other two." Justin sighed helplessly, "Programming is almost completely overwritten. Diagnostic tools only return gibberish. And these are the only ones who have been recovered! I'll be frank… we have run out of options. We must consider dismantling them, regardless of how resource-intensive they are to produce."
"No. That's unacceptable." Shaun said in a calm but firm tone of voice. "We must hold onto the hope that new information will arise soon and allow us to salvage these Coursers."
"Well, with the growing number of inoperable Coursers, the Synth Retention Bureau can't sustain our current level of operations…"
"Then we will roll back our efforts to influence the wasteland settlements until we can deal with this problem." Shaun suggested instead. "Do we know anything about our mysterious synth fetishist?"
"Only that the pattern of attack seemed to suggest that he's progressed from outside state boundaries and is now making a beeline towards the Boston area… or at us."
Oh, that's concerning. He wouldn't alter their plans that much, would he?
[Sanctuary Hills]
Nora was feeling a headache coming, and it wasn't from being apparently frozen for 200 years.
Sitting in the skeleton of her old house, she drummed her fingers on the surface of the once-polished kitchen island counter. Her blue eyes looked across the counter and at the first 'human face' that she had seen in her brief time out of the freezer.
"So, let me get this straight…" She began with a tone of extreme exasperation, "Not only will you tell me where to find my son, but you'll also resuscitate my husband. All in exchange for me acting as your post-apocalyptic pimp and finding/bringing you select women from all over this new Massachusetts wasteland?"
"Yes!" The man named 'Magos' enthusiastically replied- the wide grin audible in his voice despite his unsettling three-eyed gas mask covering up his entire face. "I'd do it myself, but I have already been remiss in my duties as a Tech-priest by not starting a manufactorum right away. And you don't have to convince them to sleep with me, just to come back here to Sanctuary Hills. I can do the rest with my charms. Besides, with your unique blend of Perception and Charisma, I think you'll have a knack for it."
"A knack for gathering women?" Nora sighed- shaking her head in disbelief, "Say that I'm actually considering this insane offer… How would I know that you can hold up your end of the bargain?"
"Well, I can resuscitate one of your neighbours as a demonstration." He offered, "They should all still be in their cryopods… Feel free to put a .45 through their cranium while you're at it."
"Before or after you resuscitate them?" She snorted, "All of my neighbours were vapid, image-obsessed swingers. Just choose whoever."
To Nora's surprise, he readily agreed.
"Very well, but the equipment for proper resuscitation will take a while for me to construct however." He told her, "In the meantime, I'm sure you want to try your hand with finding your son on your own-"
"Damn right I will."
"-so, I'll happily supply you with whatever weapon, armour and ammunition you desire."
"What's the catch?" She snorted.
"No catch." He asserted, "Supplying mankind with the tools needed to purge the mutant is what Tech-Priests like me are supposed to do. And in saying that: Take this servo-skull. It'll alert you if one of those lovely ladies is near, and offer you support."
A flying cyborg skull came zooming in from one of the windows- excitedly clicking and chittering as it looked at her with a single glowing red eye.
"What kind of support would a flying skull give me?!" Nora couldn't help but ask, and Magos shrugged his red-robed shoulders.
"Highlights enemies, hacks terminals, picks locks… deploys a high-powered ion shield just in case you find yourself about to eat a Fatman to the face. The usual."
"Sounds useful…" She nodded before narrowing her eyes at him, "But this does not mean we have a deal. Not just yet. You still need to prove without a shadow of a doubt that you're capable of honouring the deal."
"Ever the lawyer." He sighed as he pushed her out the door, "And if a squad of killer mannequin-robots approach you asking about me. Shoot first and ask questions never. Okay, thanks, bye!"
The door slammed shut in her face before she could get another word in.
"Wait, what?! What do you mean killer mannequin-robots?!" She shouted at the door as she banged her fist on it, "Magos? Magos! This is my house!"
Nora just sighed in capitulation as she began her exploration into the ruins of her home city.
"I wonder what kind of women he's after in this wasteland anyway… Blondes? Brunettes? I guess we'll find out."
And somewhere, a hundred feet below the surface, a Miss Nanny bot had the urge to sneeze despite having neither lungs nor a nose to sneeze from.
"Très curieuse! I seem to 'ave- as the Americans say- an 'iccup in my programming?" her french-accented voice said aloud to the empty room, "Eet must mean someone is talking about little old me! I knew that they would not forget about me!"
Chapter 35: The Alexandria Affair
Chapter 35: The Alexandria Affair
AN: Smut update. I felt bad about blue-balling everyone with Alexandria, so I rushed this one out before I drop the actual chapter that moves the story forward tomorrow.
Spoiler: Alexandria reference Art
[img: https/i./qVTpyUU.jpg]
[Brockton Bay Police Department HQ]
Down a hallway of cells, I walked. A pair of Chloe-attorneys in sharp black suits on either side of me. while the policewoman who did the arrest on Alexandria led us to a specific holding cell.
"Aoicus?! What're you doing here?" a familiar black teenage girl in a purple hoodie and torn skinny jeans squawked in surprise from behind bars.
"It's good to see you too, Aisha." I just sighed back, "But your older brother would blow his top and whine about it if he knew we were talking. He doesn't like it when I so much as stand in the same city block as you after all."
"Good! Fuck Brian and his over-protective ass." Aisha snorted- crossing her thin arms over her chest. "Can you believe that he's delaying paying my fine so that I can sit here and 'Learn my lesson?' As if the second time is supposed to be any different."
Still, her brown eyes kept glancing at me with a flicker of hope… like I was a human-shaped 'Get out of jail free' card flying into arms reach. The sheer familiarity that she addressed me by told me that I was spending so much time with meatbags now. Ugh, I really needed to get that Transdimensional Warp tunneler working so that I can go to other worlds where the females are actually fuckable, instead of being populated exclusively by inferior meat females with their disgustingly inefficient biological processes.
"Maybe you shouldn't have been caught shop-lifting." I told Aisha who just winked back conspiratorially.
"It won't happen again. Getting caught, I mean." she reassured me before glancing over to the two Chloe-attorneys, "Uh… you wouldn't happen to be here to bust me out? Please tell me Brian sent you here to clear things up. It would be sweet if this little accident didn't appear on my criminal record."
"Sorry, Aisha." I shrugged, "I'm actually here for the sexy latina in the back."
And there the cybernetically-enhanced lady of the hour was - leaning against the back wall of the cell, and still in those all-black jogging outfit that she was arrested in.
"Not even half an hour." Rebecca Costa-Brown said to me with a nod, "Thank you for the prompt response, Aoicus. Jail is noisier than I expected it to be."
"You're here for the Mexican Brick Shithouse?!" Aisha squawked in surprise before adopting a thoughtful look, "Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I heard that it's getting real popular for guys to like muscular women thanks to Fate characters like Barghest. Fucking Magos… But I didn't figure you to be one of those though, Aoicus. Come on, wouldn't you rather have nice, feminine chocolate bombshell like me instead?! All you gotta do is get me out of here, and I'll give you the night of your life!"
However, my [Logis Acceleritas] told a very different story.
Lie. She doesn't actually intend to sleep with me. Personality modelling indicates she likely intends on teasing her brother over the possibility that she did though.
Will happily regularly cause friction between me and Brian just to get back at her brother.
"We both know that's a lie, Aisha." I told her flatly. "And I'm also not interested in your family feud with your brother."
Aisha just watched with undisguised jealousy as the policewoman let Rebecca out of the cell.
"Come on, please?!" Aisha continued to plead- pressing up against the bars, "I bet miss beefcake over there wouldn't know what to do with you unlike me!"
"Let's just go. I believe you owe me dinner, Aoicus?" Alexandria told me with a small smile- ignoring the younger Lasborn sibling as she grew enraged as she was ignored and desperately shit-talked harder.
"Fucking stop ignoring me!" the younger teen shouted, angrily gripping the bars of the cell until her knuckles turned white. "Aoicus, get back here or I'm telling Brian you asked me to have sex with you and that latina gorilla!"
…
"Well, I'll see you around, Aisha." I waved back as we walked off.
"Wait, I take it back what I said! Don't let me get convicted!"
"What did you do to antagonise her so much?" I asked Rebecca as we walked out of the BBPD HQ and out into the snow, "Did you say something that she inexplicably disagreed strongly with… or called her a racial slur?"
"I ignored her the entire time there." Rebecca shrugged, and I nodded knowingly as our Chloe-Cab arrived.
"Ah. Knowing Aisha, that's even worse." I agreed as we both climbed into the black sedan.
"She needs to learn that her shouting and whining won't get her everything she wants. That she needs to talk like an adult to be treated like one."the former PRT director sighed, "Now, if only the rest of the people over 18 can learn the same lesson that would be great."
"You're good with children." I pointed out with a fond smile.
"I invented the Wards." Rebecca shrugged, "I know how to deal with unruly children."
Now, time to see how Alexandria would react with a loaded comment.
"I meant that you'd be a great mother one day."
"W-what?!" the latina seated across me stammered with a blush before rounding on me with a defensive tone, "What's with that comment out of the blue?! We're just going out for dinner, not discuss marriage and kids!"
"But I didn't say anything about marriage or kids?"
"Magos…" She growled at me to hide her embarrassment, but I only grinned in amusement.
… Oh, she's adorable without her full Thinker rating. No wonder I decided to bulli her, but let's see if I can't bulli her a different way later on.
(A few minutes later) [Lord Street Mall, Brockton Bay]
A tomboy.
A tomboy with long raven-black hair flowing past her shoulders, surprisingly smooth olive brown skin and toned enough to crush a coconut between her thighs. A tomboy standing just a hair shy of six-feet-tall and with all the strength and combat experience to manhandle the majority of men. An eminently-capable tomboy who has had the time to grow up and mature, but still retaining that refreshingly direct attitude towards life. The type of woman that other women aspire to be, and the type of woman who'd break hearts of men- one rejected confession after another.
"Rebecca Costa-Brown was quite the catch. Neither of us had the time to change out of our jogging disguises, but she did make that black winter running jacket look good as it clung to her toned frame. Delicious."
"You just said all of that out loud." Rebecca pointed out- her brown eyes aiming a flat look at me across the dining table, but the way the corners of her mouth tugged up ever so slightly told me she was flattered.
"Yes, and I'm not about to take it back." I teased back with a grin before gesturing to the plate of steak in front of her. "How's the apology dinner so far?"
"It tastes a lot better after being faced with the prospect of eating prison food." She deadpanned before looking out the pane glass window and continuing in a softer voice, "But the view is nice… Really nice, nostalgic even."
It wasn't the most expensive restaurant in Brockton Bay or even in Lord Street Mall. But it did afford a lovely view of the city, especially right now in the evening. Skyscrapers and other buildings lit up to form a sea of glittering city lights by the bay, streets and parks illuminated by warm orange streetlights, and small ferries cruised across the waters with their diners around the shining Protectorate HQ rig.
"I understand…" I said softly, "… Does it remind you of LA before you took the vial?"
Surprised, her brown eyes immediately locked onto mine.
"How much do you know about me?" She hesitantly whispered with her body tense, and my {Logis Acceleritas} immediately filled in the blanks.
Completely unused to people knowing her origin story. Wants- hopes- that someone would understand. Hoping that you would.
"Do you really want me to answer that now?" I sighed, and the youthful-looking latina bit her lip for a moment before nodding.
"Yes."
"I know the broad strokes of your story." I told her softly- looking out into the cityscape with her. "How the chemo treatments failed, how you hated the doctors lying to you, how you formulated the plan to establish the PRT in the face of villains outnumbering heroes, how you were willing to take the 'hard, ugly road' on things after Hero's death at the hands of Siberian, and how you would whisk away people from warzones for Cauldron's vial experiments."
"That much, huh?" She asked, her voice soft- almost vulnerable. Almost.
"Yes, and after we deal with the Endbringers and Scion…" I began- only to pause when the woman winced.
Expects you to censure her for the people she had sacrificed on the altar of Cauldron's cause. Feels deep remorse. Expects to be executed for her crimes afterwards.
Still wants to do her part and gain some measure of redemption.
But that's not what I wanted to do.
"… After we deal with them, do you want to go eat at that McDonalds?" I asked her, and that was the last thing she was expecting. "Your parents told me about how you loved that place before your condition worsened and you had to stay at the hospital."
Brown eyes widened, but instead of being touched, she angrily lunged at me.
"My parents? You talked to them?!" She angrily shouted- a fist abruptly grabbing the front of my red winter jacket. "You better not have done anything to them, or I swear-"
"I just sat down and talked with them." I reassured her, "They even gave me a Christmas sweater the last time I visited. Also, how else am I supposed to consider you for promotion?"
At my answer, her fist let go of my jacket as she sat back down.
"Fine. But… the 'last time' you visited?" Rebecca quoted in stark disbelief, "You said you knew 'broad strokes'- not having regular chats with my parents! What did you even talk about with them?"
"I showed them photos of you in your uniform, and they have a few things to say."
" Nossa Senhora…" She breathed out in dismay, once again burying her face in her hands, "I just know where this is heading."
"Your father says that they shouldn't have to depend on your boyfriend to get updates about you, so you should drop by more often. Meanwhile, your mother says that I should get you to wear dresses more… right before she not-so-subtly asked for 'Netas.' I think that's Portuguese for- "
"Grandchildren, I know. We spoke Portuguese in our home." Rebecca grunted- running her hand through her black hair in exasperation, "And please tell me that you didn't encourage that kind of talk."
"I told her that you were still mulling it over." I said to her, "And she told me right back that we should 'work at it' harder."
"Goddammit, Magos…" She groaned harder, but I wasn't finished.
"'Work at it harder' your mother said!" I quoted to her- shaking my head in disappointment, "I was so insulted by that. So, I explained to her that natural sexual reproduction is for meat amateurs. If I was going to impregnate you, it would be through the most advanced sex-based technology currently unknown to man with a 100% conception and fertilisation rate, and zero chance of pregnancy complications and congenital issues. Although, given that they are both in their seventies, that ten minute ramble about sexual technology may have gone over their heads apart from the '100% conception and fertilisation rate'."
"You told my parents WHAT?!" Rebecca shouted- brown eyes staring at me in disbelief, "How the HELL did you get my dad to approve of you of all people with all your strangeness when he wouldn't even let me start dating until I was sixteen?!"
I just shrugged.
"I looked him straight in the eye, gave him a firm handshake and told him that I'll take good care of his daughter. I used a bit more words than that, but that was the gist of it. Machine-God bless the baby boomer generation and their straightforward social conventions."
Rebecca opened her mouth- likely about to dispute that before apparently giving up as she let go of me and sat back down.
"Ugh… that does sound like him." She just groaned in exasperation.
"So… is that a yes to McDonalds after Scion?" I reminded her with a shrug, and that seemed to have caught her by surprise. Her dark eyebrows rising in disbelief for a second before she laughing softly.
"Cheap fast food? You're asking Alexandria out to a fast food place?"
"I'm asking Rebecca." I clarified much to her delight if the slight quirk of her pink lips was any indication, "I'll even get you that kid's meal that comes with those little plastic toys. It might give you a sense of closure."
She raised an eyebrow at me.
"My mother showed you my old room and my toy collection while you were there, didn't she?" She asked.
"Yes, it was cute." I nodded. "A colourful assortment of toys made of cheap, glossy plastic- all sitting on the dresser. There's no shame in that. I understand that it was your coping mechanism during the middle stages of your cancer, at least, until you were too sick to get them anymore."
The latina seated across me fell silent after that before sighing.
"I used to stare out the window and to that McDonalds, back at the hospital." Rebecca confirmed- lost in her memories, "Regretting all the things I couldn't do even with the little time I had left- all silly little things. The kiddie toys were just one of them. Not being able to finish the Maggie Holt series being a second… I never did get around to reading that book. But all of that's a bit too late, I'm forty-two: I'm too old for a damn kiddie meal toy or a young adult novellas."
"You're never too old to fulfill a childhood wish." I told her gently, "Shouldn't let young Rebecca's hopes down."
That gave her pause, right before a bittersweet smile tugged at her lips.
"… You're so full of bullshit saying something thoughtful like that out of the blue." She murmured to me. "But you're right… younger me would have appreciated being able to add another one to her collection."
Micro flicker of eyes in my direction. 'Or a boyfriend her age like you' she wanted to add.
"One last thing too… after your mother gave me the grand tour, baby pictures included." I began with a teasing wink, "Your mother wanted me to tell you to make up your mind already about grandchildren, she's not getting any younger. But she seemed optimistic, because she baked me some pao de queijo as a celebration. Let me tell you, that was some good Brazilian cheese bread, and she made me promise to bring some home for you."
I pulled out one of those rectangular microwavable glass containers from my subspace inventory pocket and popped the glass lid open. A dozen golden cheese buns resting in it with their mottled crispy-softness.
"Temporal stasis." I explained to her as I sat the container on the table between us- the air wafting with the crisp scent of cheese and bread, "Should taste like she had just pulled it out of the oven."
For the longest time, she looked so uncertain staring with a dumbstruck expression at that batch of cheese buns; then with a hesitant hand, she picked one up and took a bite. A flurry of emotions passed through her face… a downcast look, a frustrated jaw clench, a regretful sigh, and finally, a nostalgic bittersweet smile. And it was in those brief few seconds that Alexandria looked most like a normal human being than I had ever seen her otherwise. Not in the countless PR appearances as the muscle of the PRT, not even in semi-candid videos that were available to the public.
Only now, with her mother's homemade baking in hand and a head full of regrets that Alexandria revealed who she truly was.
~W~ Regret pangs at her for having to neglect her parents in favour of her work. ~M~ ~W~
She wishes that her Cape work didn't get in the way of her family. ~M~ ~W~
Regret. ~M~
… Someone who had let so many years of her life pass her by and regretted it dearly. Raw and unfiltered, I felt it all through my {Psy-Implant}.
"Magos… goddammit." She wistfully murmured. "Dad's right. I should visit more often."
"Sure, we will." I agreed, but that only earned yet another flat stare from Rebecca, though this one was much less harsh than the rest, her brown eyes still warm with emotion.
"How the hell did you get from being a workplace nuisance to getting my parents to ask you to give them grandchildren?" she said fondly.
"I… have a unique personality?"
"Hah, that's the understatement of the year." she chuckled softly and her small smile sat a bit more comfortably on her face- more relaxed and more… natural, "But what I meant was… Where do we go from here?"
"Well, apart from the kiddie toy and the Maggie Holt series, did you have anything else on your list?" I asked, and that seemed to do the trick: Rebecca's brown eyes suddenly looked anywhere except at me. But her thoughts? Oh, her thoughts were running a mile a minute.
~W~ Embarrassment glides up from being reminded that she wished for a boyfriend that looked like you when she was ill. ~M~ ~W~
She's embarrassed, because you remind her of her fantasy boyfriend. ~M~ ~W~
Embarrassment. ~M~
I gave her a smirk.
"So that's how it is…" I began as my hand grabbed hers and pulled the tall latina onto her feet. "Come on. We should go to our hotel room and continue where we left off at the park before Taylor interrupted us."
"I'm not too sure about- Mmmmm… "
… but a deep kiss promptly solved that problem. And I can feel the last of her hesitations crumble.
"Come on…" I tugged at her hand, "We shouldn't waste time."
"No, we shouldn't." She breathed right back. I bet it was quite the sight seeing for the other restaurant patrons: a blonde teen tugging this tall, muscled and hotly blushing latina through the restaurant for what was clearly going to be wild sex. A hesitant expression was on her face the entire time it took for us to get to the elevators.
Meanwhile, I glanced at the dome-type CCTV camera at the corner of the elevator's ceiling, and winked. Immediately, I received messages from the Noosphere.
Wait, is that Alexandria?! Why is our boyfriend taking Alexandria to bed?! HOW is our boyfriend taking Alexandria to bed?! Why are you okay with this?! Why am I okay with this?! =
Don't mind her, just keep going, mon coeur. But my younger self and I are going to be watching; so, give us a good show and maybe we'll give you one later? =
Dragon is one kinky AI, and her younger self was likely secretly enjoying it just as much.
The elevator doors closed behind us just as Alexandria began having second thoughts…
I took the opportunity to kiss her again- pushing her against the elevator wall to press up against her and get a good feel of her luscious body.
Deliciously perky D-cups and hardened abs pressing against me. Long black hair draping down past her shoulders in soft waves. A long leg in those black sweatpants hooked around my waist as the kiss continued. That muscled thigh pressed against my side reinforced by about a kilometre's worth of cybernetic nanofibre actuators which enhanced her strength to superhuman even without her full powers. Now adding that strength on top of the portion of her power that was now back to her, a normal human wouldn't be able to withstand having her long legs wrapped around their waist, much less have them squeeze down when she cums… "However, that was a problem for meatbags with their brittle calcium phosphate bones; I, on the other hand, am about to see how massive of an orgasm I can give her."
"You're thinking out loud again." She said with smoldering brown eyes. "And for once, I can't blame you because I'm thinking the same thing. Nn~!"
The tall latina gave a cute little startle as my hand found one firm breast- cupping it through her clothing and a stiffened nipple poked at my palm as I kneaded and fondled her chest.
"Your hands… your everything is so warm on me. I love it…" Rebecca moaned softly, also running her hands over me, "I still marvel over sensations like this, and I have to wonder if it's because of being numb from my powers or if it's because this is my first time…"
"It's a bit of both. Now enjoy yourself." I gently admonished her as I kneaded those firm sweater puppies.
"Oh, I will if you keep touching my chest like that." She breathed as that toned but still dangerously feminine leg wrapped around my waist tighter as she ground her hot core against my erection- a scant four layers of clothing between us. So, I embarked on the journey of getting this amazonian latina out of her clothes. With a smooth motion, I reached up and unzipped her black jogging jacket which promptly hung open from her shoulders. Black sports bra holding back firm handfuls of perky breasts, and her six pack abs rippling slightly as she jumped a bit out of surprise with a slight flash of uncertainty on her face.
~W~ Embarrassment glides up at being reminded that she didn't wear anything nice for her first time. ~M~ ~W~
She's only wearing boring sports underwear, and she doesn't feel sexy. ~M~ ~W~
Embarrassment. ~M~
"Don't worry about it. You're looking incredibly sexy in black, Rebecca." I told her as I helped her out of that jacket- tossing it aside along with mine before moving onto her pants, "Still your favourite colour? Well, it does look good on you… and off you as well."
The elevator doors opened to the fiftieth floor, and we left a trail of clothes down the short corridor that led to the penthouse suite. If I was going to deflower this woman, it was going to be close to the top of the world. The suite's luxurious interior didn't really interest either of us as we half-rushed to the master bedroom where we promptly found ourselves on the bed. One that I had a Chloe structurally reinforce in advance, because I wasn't sure how wild things would get with someone with super strength could be.
"I still can't believe how far we've come since we first met…" She murmured. Her long black hair forming a silky halo around her head as she looked up at me with those dark bedroom eyes. She glanced down for a moment. "Oh! I- I see that Dragon's pornographic art collection didn't exaggerate proportions."
Slight quiver in voice, momentary rise in heart rate. Nervous for her first time, but also very excited.
Just me, Alexandria and a king-sized bed. And she looked utterly delicious. Nothing I haven't seen before, but still very much worth mentioning. Her muscular olive-skinned 5'11" (1.80m) figure lay completely bare on the crisp white sheets. Toned enough that I could run my fingers along the divets between her abs, but still feminine enough that I could run my hands down her sides and feel the hourglass figure albeit wrapped in taut muscle. And from her soft moans, she seemed to appreciate the contact.
"M-mm… You're surprisingly gentle. Ilikethat…"
Her toned thighs swung open slightly- the inner side glistening slightly with wet trails of her arousal.
" Touch me more, lover?" She whispered softly with hooded brown eyes.
When Alexandria, Triumvirate Heroine and the founder of the PRT herself, asks to feel up her naked body and bare pussy, who can really find it in themselves to say no?
" Oh! Ohyess… " Rebecca moaned sexily as my fingers found her femininity, "I can't believe it's finally happening…"
She was soaking wet. Her soft feminine lips dripped with her honey, and her sensitive little button throbbed under my fingertip. And although I'd deny it: there was a primal human feeling of victoriousness to be found. One of the most powerful women in the world, physically and politically, lay naked on the bed under me as she squirmed and gripped the sheets tightly in pleasure.
" Ah~ ! Don't stop!" Rebecca pleaded in helpless pleasure as she bucked her hips- trying her best to press her hot sex against my fingers, "It's been so long since it felt this good! Much too long!"
"Oh? You haven't played with yourself the entire time you've had this new body with a working sense of touch?" I asked while stroking faster as if to coax the answer from her dripping pussy.
"No, I haven't!" the youthful forty-two year old cried out in denial.
She has. To me, or at least, vaguely resembling me. Too embarrassed to admit it.
I was faced with a choice then: Should I keep from sexually bullying Alexandria just because we were about to have sex?
…
Of course, I should!
"Becca…" I said in a chiding tone as I lightened the pressure to an unbearably feather-light, "Tell the truth."
Her brown eyes did their best to glare at me through the haze of pleasure, but she just turned her head away from me. But swirling her clitoris lightly and earning a hiss of pleasure from the smoking hot latina writhing in pleasure underneath me. Compared to her physical resistance, her resistance against sexual techniques was apparently lacklustre, because she caved almost immediately.
"Fine!" the Triumvirate heroine capitulated- screwing her eyes shut, "I-I touched myself three times last month to the idea of experiencing sex for the first time."
"Go on…" I said, dipping my fingers down to tease her virgin entrance- earning a gasp of pleasure as she almost came.
"I fantasized that it was some handsome blond stud fingering my pussy almost exactly like how you're doing right now! Oh f-faster!" She all but shouted as my ministrations went faster and faster- her juices squelching on my palm, " R-rub my pussy just like there! I fantasized about having a real boyfriend for once in my life! Don't stop I'm getting close~! Going on dates with him, giving him my virginity and… and- I'm going to cum! Cumming! Cuuummmiiinnnggg~!"
Rebecca thrashed on the sheets as she came. The muscles across her entire sculpted body rippling as she practically gushed onto my hand. Clear liquid coating my fingers as she came hard. Her back arched over the sheets and… Her toned thighs slammed shut around my hand, but luckily for both of us, my hand was able to weather the compressive stresses of a woman with super strength cumming wildly and clenching her thighs around on my hand. That proves it. Sex with Alexandria was not for anyone with bones weaker than titanium, and she was only a sixth of her original power too.
By the time she floated down from her extended climax, her mouth in a wide O, her thighs soaked with her own nectar and her well-built body was shivering from the aftershocks of that orgasm. Her hands reached out to pull me into a heated, grateful kiss.
"If I wasn't… still shaking from…" She breathlessly panted, "… The best orgasm I've ever had in my life… I'd be annoyed at you right now for making me… admit to something as embarrassing… as that!"
And yet, even as she said that, those lustful brown eyes of hers were still silently begging for more.
"If you liked how that felt so much, then you're going to love what's coming next, Becca."
I dragged the tip of my cock up and down her soft pink slit- hot and extremely wet now, and she gasped as her brown eyes flew wide open.
"W-wait!" She pleaded half-heartedly, "I'm still so sensitive!"
Despite her being a virgin with zero sexual experience, a woman this ripped act so demure was still jarring to see. The gap moe was real. But I pressed on.
"And how is that a bad thing?" I asked- prodding at her leaking entrance with my bulbous tip pressing against her maidenhead, and earning a small whimper of pleasure from the Triumvirate heroine.
"M-mmm…. alright." She caved- her voice soft, "This… this is embarrassing to ask, but… can we do it gently? I'm not into pain, and I don't want bittersweet things like that for my first time."
Burnt out from work, subconsciously wants to experience a bit of escapism back to her teenage fantasies. Wants the type of affection that was denied to her decades ago. Wants to experience the type of 1950s-1960s boyfriend-girlfriend relationship as romanticised by her mother.
Absolutely starving for that kind of affection.
… I had originally been planning to stress test the extent of invulnerability, but that was so unbelievably cute that I can't say no! Well, if she wanted the real boyfriend experience… let it not be said that I wasn't versatile in my ability to sexually satisfy AI/cybernetically enhanced women in various different ways- even if it was incredibly vanilla; so, mushy boyfriend experience for Alexandria it is then. At least, until she says otherwise.
I pressed against her muscular olive-skinned torso and her brown eyes met my blue ones.
"With a beautiful and lovely girl like you, of course, I promise I'll be gentle." I whispered to her- my voice dipping down half an octave and taking on that husky quality. Her breath hitched, her heart raced and her wet entrance quivered against my shaft. Oh, she really liked that.
"You ass…" the brown-skinned tomboy murmured defensively even as she wrapped her toned arms over my shoulders and locked eyes with me, "… saying things like that might give someone the wrong idea."
Still so defensive. Tomboys can grow up, but they never stop being themselves, it seems; but I pushed on regardless.
"I'm putting it in." I informed her and she nodded. There was a bit more tech at work- selectively disabling her power to stop her maidenhead from being invulnerable; but ultimately, with a slight almost inconsequential thrust, I was inside her.
Pressed right against that toned olive-skinned body, her full breasts pressing against my chest and her pretty face bearing an expression of disbelief and rising pleasure. Her soaked vagina clenched and quivered tightly around my shaft as Alexandria marvelled over the feeling of being filled for the first time in her life.
"Becca…" I purred, and once again, she shivered slightly, "I'm going to make love to you now."
"Please do…" She whispered back, almost desperately. And with that softly-spoken assent, I began pumping in and out.
Rebecca was tight. Unbelievably so. Her inner walls lined with silky folds gripped down like a hot wet vice. The combination likely to drive any man to orgasm in a flash. Meanwhile…
"So this is sex…" She moaned softly as the slick, wet sounds of our love-making filled the bedroom.
… The iconic heroine was a disproportionately good lay. She was responding with a normal amount of pleasure despite how insane her pussy was. To the point that there was no one in the entire male population of humanity who could last a minute inside her without cumming; so, the same deal as having sex with Dragon to be honest. But thankfully, I was made of sterner stuff (literally) and though I had a lot more control, that didn't make edging any more bearable. Enduring this inhumanly incredible pussy and trying not to fill up the world's strongest heroine with my seed before she came was looking to be a challenge.
It was the type of challenge I could and will not back down from. I was going to sexually satisfy this tall, sexily muscular latina.
"You feel so good squeezing around me, Becca." I breathed into her ear- nibbling on it gently, and her body shivered beneath me. "Are you liking it that much?"
" Yes… " she whimpered.
"Yes, what?" I pressed as I slowed down to a slow rock to tease the mature tomboy. Her dripping vagina already protesting the slower pace as it gripped tighter around my shaft- not wanting to let me pull back.
"Stop making me say embarrassing things, you ass…" Rebecca whined helplessly- trying to buck her hips against mine instead in an effort to get me back deeper in her needy pussy. Wanting to stop that for now, I reached down between our torsos- trailing my palm over her tense, sweat-sheened abs and brushed a finger across her throbbing clitoris, and Rebecca arched her back from the contact.
"N-not there, it's too sensitive~!"
"Not until you can stop being defensive while we're making love."
"If you say it like that… Mm, alright…" She shyly capitulated- her brown eyes looking away, "Yes, it feels so good when you move."
"And?" my voice demanded huskily into her ear as I rocked my hips- sliding in and out of the lovely superheroine's unbelievably tight slit.
"And your c-cock is so hard and hot in me! I love it!" Rebecca squealed in delight- finding that the words were flowing much easier for her. "And when you thrust deep like that, it makes me feel like I'll go crazy. O-oh, thrust it deeper!"
"My pleasure, Becca." I purred her nickname- thrusting slamming our hips together with a wet slap. Our hips met and her brown-skinned abs ground against my body as her full breasts, topped with those tasty rosy nipples, bounced from the continuous movement.
" Yeesss~! Just like that! I'm going to come!" She howled in pleasure as I drove my cock deeper into her- earning another long rolling moan of pleasure. Pushing into hot, leaking sex that gripped so tightly- the slippery friction igniting all sorts of intense pleasure for the both of us. It felt good enough for her to make her brown eyes squeeze shut- drinking in the pleasurable feelings that apparently was making her lose control of her inhibitions. She was on the precipice of a huge orgasm.
"I'm going to cum as well." I told her, and suddenly, I found long muscular legs wrapped around my waist.
"Y-you're close too?" She whispered as soon as the words registered to her. Her apprehensive voice tinged with lustful anticipation, and her brown eyes stared at me with a primal hunger. Those legs squeezed tighter, and I got the message loud and clear. Well, if Alexandria has a creampie fetish and wants to do the highly irresponsible act of getting creampied by the man who had just earlier bragged about guaranteed conception rates, then who am I to deny her that experience? I may as well play into it and drive her wild.
"Yes. and I'm going to hold you close while I pump every last drop in you." I breathed to her as I deliberately made my thrusts quicker and shallower- bumping against the door to her baby room over and over again, "Would you enjoy that for your first time?"
Rebecca stared at me with brown eyes ablaze with a mixture of lust and excitement.
" Yes." was all she could breathlessly pant out, her long legs tightening around me in a leg lock stronger than titanium.
"Someone likes the idea of being filled up." I teased- sinking every inch of my cock into her pulsing hot vagina.
"Yesss! Shoot it all in me! I WANT IT!" the superpowered tomboy moaned out in her lewdest voice yet- frantically meeting my thrusts with force to break human pelvises. "Don't you dare cum outside!"
There it was again- that human feeling of victoriousness. To have Alexandria- this legendary heroine who was inexperienced in sex- moaning and writhing helplessly from pleasure as I thoroughly deflowered her. To have the strongest woman in the entirety of Earth-Bet begging for me to cum inside her- her muscled legs holding me so that I couldn't do so anywhere but the deepest part of her eager pussy thirsting for my semen.
"I'm cumming!" She screamed out- in a frantic effort to get my cock a clear shot right into her fertile womb, " CUM IN ME!"
"Here, it comes, Becca!" was my only warning to her.
"YESSSS!" She screamed in satisfaction as I did as I promised and filled her up. The first hot rope of semen hitting the back wall of her womb and exploding in a fireworks of white where it clung thickly to the virgin surface. And as the second rope followed, then the third, and all the rest, Rebecca just screamed louder and louder.
"I FEEL IT! MORE, OH GOD MORE!" she begged as she squeezed even stronger with her legs. Strong enough that actually began to deform my metal skeleton, a normal protein-based spine would have been broken in half by now. But instead, it just made certain that I couldn't do anything but fill her up to her ovaries with my sperm.
Becca wanted it too judging by the way her insides were clamping down like crazy and milking my shaft as best as she could.
I really couldn't help but compare the sensation with Dragon's. But where Dragon's robussy was precise, targeted and adaptive- perfectly targeting every sensitive spot on my cock with vaginal textures tailored for that movement… Alexandria's pussy brute forced as much pleasure all at once. Every small movement barraged my shaft with sensations of her vagina being incredibly wet, incredibly hot and incredibly tight. All at once. Idly, I wondered how it would feel to alternate between the two of them. Both of them on all fours atop a big king-sized bed, one caramel-skinned AI cutie and the other an olive-skinned tomboy. And I pushed the thought of that inevitable threesome to the back of my mind as I focused on the deliciously ripped woman underneath me.
Eventually, her brown eyes slowly regained focus and settled on me as she climbed down from her orgasmic high.
"You… you limited the potency of your sperm, right?" was the first thing Rebecca asked. Her quavering still in a breathless whisper.
"What makes you think I have such control?" I replied innocently, "Or did you take that for granted when you locked your legs around my waist?"
That made her freeze, eyes wide.
"… tell me that you didn't just get me pregnant." She asked in a hollow voice- her hand going to her lower stomach.
"…"
"Magos!" she hissed.
"You're not pregnant." I answered honestly. "I did configure it."
"Oh. Good." Rebecca curtly said with a brief nod- taking her hand off her muscled belly.
She wouldn't have minded if you did get her pregnant. Had been partially hoping for that. Wasn't a creampie fetish, it was an impregnation kink.
Also, a desire to get pregnant is not a kink, it came free with her natural instincts.
I had to wonder how a ripped woman would looked like with a pregnant belly.
"Did you think that we're done already?" I growled to her, "I haven't actually made you scream my name, Becca."
"You're great at sex, I'll give you that. But don't get cocky on me." She scoffed. "I may have been a virgin up to this point, but I'm still Alexandria."
"Now, who's getting cocky?" I chuckled softly- shooting her a sly grin, "I haven't even started cheating yet."
"What do you mean by tha- Oooooh~!"
Intensifying {S.T.I.C.C.} emanations to 0.5% maxload
It came out as a miniscule pulse of psychic energy. I've only blasted Dragon up to 50%, and up till now, I didn't know what Warp emanations consisting of condensed psychic pleasure would do to human woman. So naturally, I started with a miniscule 0.5%. For Dragon, it should have been barely noticeable- the equivalent of brushing a finger across her feminine lips, but for Rebecca? It was equivalent to a howling orgasm.
"What was that?!" She panted out.
"That, my dear, was the piece of technology that I used to make Dragon come." I huskily explained, "After all, if I'm not putting in the effort to making you feel good, that would make me a bad lover, wouldn't it? But I don't think you can handle any more than just 5% of the max setting though."
"Th-that was only 5%?!" She squawked in disbelief- wincing slightly as I pulled out of her- her tight pussy squeezing shut to keep the steamy contents inside.
"0.5% actually." I reassured her as I flipped her over. Rebecca's toned olive-skinned back and shapely ass greeted me as I positioned myself to enter her again and pound her into the mattress in the prone bone position, "But don't fret, we'll work our way up to 5% in the following hours. You know, since you're so proud of your sexual prowess."
"M-mercy." She squeaked against the white pillow.
"Feel free to bite the pillow." I advised- slowly sawing my cock in and out of her hyper-sensitive slit. "You have a long night ahead of you, Alexandria."
The legendary Triumvirate heroine could only whimper helplessly as I began picking up the pace.
(The morning after) [Office of the PRT Chief Director - Washington DC]
In the spartan and functional office at the heart of DC, Rebecca stood with Keith and David.
The Triumvirate, once again back in a PRT facility. But it was worth pointing out that only Keith was in costume. His blue-and-white Legend outfit cutting a striking figure between her and David's plain officewear. It was a surreal moment for her- for the entire Triumvirate actually. Because in front of them- seated behind a sturdy, mahogany desk- was Chief Director Costa-Brown who was looking no worse for wear with her long black hair and slight wrinkles on her brown features.
"It's good to have you back on the force, Legend." The Chief Director said to Legend- the usually serious Chief Director gracing her with a small smile.
"Yes, it's… good to be back, ma'am." He replied with a hesitant smile. "How uncanny…"
"It's good to see you two as well. Eidolon, Alexandria." the Chief Director nodded to the two of them before settling her gaze on Rebecca, "You look glowing today."
"Thank you, ma'am." Rebecca said with a hesitant smile as well. It was a bizarre experience interacting her 'civilian' identity. She didn't look that severe, did she?
"See? I told you that the Costa-Bot was great!" the last person in the room spoke up, "Now all those rumours about the Chief Director and Alexandria can finally be put to rest. She even has your hardass attitude down to pat."
The chief director just raised a disinterested eyebrow.
"Who is this civilian teenager you've brought into my office?" She asked, to which Magos in his Aoicus persona just grinned- linking arms with Rebecca.
"I'm just her teenaged boy toy, ma'am."
"Magos!" She squawked. She didn't think he'd announce their… relationship the morning after! Thoroughly scandalised now, she glanced between Keith and David who were both looking at her with judging stares. She didn't like them at all.
"… I am unsure what's worse." The chief director muttered- adding her two cents, "That you're having sexual indiscretions with a sixteen year old, or that the sixteen year old in question is Magos."
"Well, she said it best." Legend coughed into his fist. "I'll be honest. Out of the three of us, I always figured that the one who would break down from stress and get caught in bed with a minor would be David."
"Hey!" Eidolon protested- running a hand through his hair. "I don't look like a pedophile. Not anymore at least. I have real hair and real abs now."
"Sorry, David. I was wrong about you." Legend apologised before looking over to Alexandria, "Oh, and shame on you for sleeping with a minor, Rebecca."
"Ugh… Fine, I deserve that." She sighed.
Legend then turned to face Aoicus.
"It's still unnerving to be reminded how you're only sixteen." he told the younger man, "You should be in the Wards, not doing… all the things you did."
Rebecca had to agree. Just in a red hoodie, jeans and sneakers, Aoicus didn't look anything but a normal teenager. But at the same time… Rebecca looked away- trying not to think about the events of last night where she had him naked and pressed against her. That way lay madness… and another heated round of sex.
"Maybe I should join the Wards." Aoicus said with a sly smile- likely noticing, "That way, Alexandria over here would be breaking one more sex crime."
Legend levelled a serious look at her- arms crossed over his chest.
"I trust that I don't have to say anything about the importance of keeping your relationship quiet?" he clarified with a deliberately slow tone of voice, and Rebecca just rolled her eyes.
"Please, we have handled 144 potential scandals amongst Protectorate capes having relationships before, I think I can handle mine."
"But what if the Costa-bot gets publicly destroyed?" David brought up.
"Then we'll just say that we expected the attack and planned a robotic decoy ahead." Rebecca readily provided the solution immediately- decades of acting and general deception at work.
"Precisely!" Aoicus chirped, "it's not like I can't make another!"
"More importantly, Magos… you haven't done anything weird to my gynoid counterpart, have you?" She frowned, "She's not designed for that, right?"
"Why would I ever make a robot that I cannot fuck?" He shot back, "But specifications aside, I haven't."
She shot him a disbelieving look, and he just rolled his blue eyes in exasperation.
" {Slutty Rebecca_Costa-Brown} " He called out in his intelligible machine language.
"Yes, master?" answered the Costa-bot.
"Chant the number of times I have had sexual contact with you."
"Zero, master."
Rebecca stamped down on a traitorous little part of herself that was insulted that he didn't take advantage of her gynoid self. Instead, she just chose to sigh and focus on the more pressing issue.
"Magos… did you really have to make it Slutty?" She asked- massaging her temples.
"But that's the base operating system of all my Chloes." he protested- blond brows furrowing, "And if you're worried about Better Rebecca giving herself away, then don't be: the only noticeable difference between you and her is that she doesn't want to have unprotected sex with 16 year olds."
An awkward silence fell on the office. Keith and David both coughed awkwardly as they glanced at her with fresh eyes. The sex doll was apparently less sexually degenerate than her.
"We won't judge what you do in your spare time, Rebecca." Keith tried to reassure her… and failed horribly. "Uh.. I have to check in with my team."
Just like that, Legend marched off. The first of the Triumvirate to actually go back to being promoted back to normal. Meanwhile, David nodded as well.
"And I'll just… check on my cat. Door me, my Texas apartment." He said right before disappearing through the portal- leaving Rebecca all alone with her new, underaged boyfriend. Her colleagues had even less respect for her now, and it was all his fault.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" She tapped her foot expectantly.
"I'm a genius for getting the level of sluttiness accurate on the first attempt?"
Rebecca lunged for his throat.
- Alexandria's Sexual Deviancy End -
Come the Waifu Apocalypse tomorrow
Alright, onto the next waifu…
Finally, we can have our favourite angelic conflict engine meet Magos.
Did you know that 71.0~%… of all known bearers of the surname Costa are/were residents of Brazil?
I wrote this entire romance arc as basically a reversed sexual morality…
- Flip the genderswap Alexandria and Magos.
- Forty-two year old superhero works as a waiter.
- His boss: a smug 11/10 blonde jailbait who ticks every fetish on his list and reminds him of a teammate he used to crush on
- Said teen bombshell boss drops by and acts like she's his girlfriend, teases him by pressing her sexy body against his before dragging him to a nearby motel room for privacy.
- He tries to be the better man, but ends up outing his sexual desires and getting teased even more about it.
- They go on a date and the blonde jailbait does a sweet and thoughtful thing before they head to hotel room for sex. A lot of sex.
- Despite how he has a great cock, she still blows his mind with inhuman bedroom skills that only a full cyborg geared for sex can have and lets him cum inside her.
- Then he spends the morning going through several office meetings while a blonde bombshell underneath his desk lovingly sucks him off.
- Male Alexandria living the life. Female Alexandria, pretty much the same.
Bonus scene
(A few minutes later) [Brockton Bay]
Director Emily Piggot of the Protectorate ENE ran her fingers through her blonde hair as she glanced at the ringing phone icon on her desktop.
She hated it whenever the chief director wanted to video-call. Especially when it was unexpected, because, more often than not, it was bad news for her. Last time she called, it was about how the Protectorate ENE may never clean the black mark from that disastrous Endbringer debrief. But seeing that she had no other option, Piggot simply sat down, prepared herself for another chewing out and clicked on the button.
"How may I help you, Chief director Costa-Brown?" She greeted the slightly older woman who was looking slightly flushed for some reason.
"I had just received news that one of your Wards' handlers and school has directly been a detriment to the Wards program." The chief director cut to the chose.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Director Costa-Brown." Piggot apologised- hiding a deep sigh behind a small smile. This was just typical for her, "Could you identify this Wards so that I can issue disciplinary action?"
"Shadowstalker." the visibly latina director gruffly said, "I want a full audit now."
"Of course, chief director, I'll get on it as soon as Armsmaster and the rest give their reports of Vegas in person tomor-."
However, she was cut off by Costa-Brown's groan.
"Dammit, Piggot!" She shouted at her- the chief director's whole body shivering from what looked to be anger, "I have my Thinker sources telling me that the PRT would lose out on a very useful Ward if Shadowstalker doesn't reign in her. In fact, let me speak to her directly. This concerns more than just the Protectorate ENE now."
"But-"
"NOW, PIGGOT." The chief director shouted and Piggot all but bolted from her seat. Idly, she hoped that the chief director left something of Shadowstalker. If this was as bad as she said this was, Piggot wanted her pound of flesh from that former vigilante.
Rebecca leaned back on her chair with a satisfied sigh before glancing down underneath the table.
"You're lucky that I don't need to breath…" Aoicus told her as he licked his lips, "Or that my skull can resist compressive forces enough to crush a solid block of steel… or that I enjoy having your toned thighs around my head."
He leaned down to give a lick to her nether lips- her black panties pushed aside for this.
"What am I doing?" She shivered from the pleasure, "I used to be so respectable. Now look at me, I have a teenager orally servicing underneath the table during a meeting."
"Well, I didn't respect you." He smirked, "You six were hilariously ineffective in regards to achieving your ultimate goal of actually dealing with Scion."
"I don't want to hear that from the guy currently between my legs!"
He looked at her with a serious expression.
"After this, I still need you to escort me for that Toybox job for Glory Girl." He reminded her.
"It's not like I have a choice, don't I?" She moaned slightly before squeezing her thighs around his skull again, "Keep licking, Piggot is coming back."
"So, this is what being a DK to a frustrated office lady must feel like…" He idly mused before smirking at her. "Do I get to charge extra because I'm a natural blond too?"
"If I did pay for your services, I wouldn't be paying you to talk." She shot back with a smirk as well.
"Alright, let it not be said that I can't do a good job." He chuckled softly, "Let's see if I can't make you bang the table again…"
Without saying anything else, he dove right back in and got back to work- making her sigh at the sensation of his undoubtedly skillful tongue.
It was only in times like these when he wasn't talking or wandering off to do something bizarre the Rebecca appreciated how skilled he was. And as his tongue found her little nub, Rebecca coldn't help but think that she could get used to this.
Chapter 36: Brockton Bay's Least Horny Fate Fan
Chapter 36: Brockton Bay's Least Horny Fate Fan
[Fate Impact land]
"Uhuhuhuhu~ That's it, baby. Back that tight ass against Amy. You want her honey, dontcha?"
By the Machine God… it was far too early for creepy old man's voice, Amy.
Sometimes, it was hard being Magos. Despite being a full cyborg, I felt that phantom migraine again as I marched up the beach- soft breeze making my red robes billow slightly.
Blue sunny skies, a wide blue ocean, and a fine yellow-sand beach that stretch almost a kilometre. This wasn't exactly the place you'd look to find a healer heroine like Panacea. But there the brunette could be found- lounging on a wooden deck chair, clad in only a yellow bikini covering her freckled body as she had the time of her life: One slender hand held a beer bottle, and her other hand between her legs diddling herself. A wide, dopey smile was stretching her heavily freckled face as her green eyes locked on the blue swimsuit-wearing blonde, Artoria Archer herself, gyrating between her spread legs.
So entranced she was by the blonde Fate gynoid that she hadn't even noticed me marching over to her until my red-robed frame was blocking her sun and my mask with its glowing green optics was staring down at her.
The freckled brunette sat up in a startle.
"Gah! Wolf-fucking horseballs Magos! Hasn't anyone ever told you it's rude to sneak up on a girl while she's motherfucking masturbating!"
"Wait, 'Wolf-fucking… ' Have you been talking with Fortuna?" I asked while I glanced over to the water where a pair of Chloes in red 'Baywatch' swimsuits treaded water with Fortuna who had bright yellow floaties around her upper arms. The girl from that medieval earth never really learned how to properly swim. At least, not without her power. But from how widely she was smiling, she seemed to be getting the hang of things. It really put into perspective how much Thinker powers affected a person… She still wouldn't take off that damned fedora though, even now while she was swimming.
"Who I do or do not talk to isn't important right now!" Amy interrupted my thoughts with a frown, "Scion's sake! I almost yanked my clit right off."
I shook my head.
"You're extra whiny for a meatbag who has been using my collection of premium gynoids. Unfortunately for you, fun time is over: Get up, we're getting your sister un-meatballed in about an hour."
With the horrified look on her freckled face, you'd have thought that Amy had just been told that death had come for her.
"Already?! Please, not yet! I haven't cum ye- Wait a minute!" She stopped herself- a flicker of hope in her green eyes as she realised something, "Vicky's in temporal stasis; that means it'll feel like no time has passed for her no matter how long we take. So, we can stay for a few more hours, right?"
"Amy…" I spoke with an admonishing tone, "That's your sister who is currently a grotesque abomination of cancerous flesh."
"I know, but…" She pleaded- gesturing to the slender blonde Fate waifu in the blue microkini currently backing her tight ass up against her. "This is Artoria Archer who is currently in a sexy microkini and giving me a lapdance! Just give me a few more hours. I've been edging myself for almost fifteen minutes, please!"
I shot a quick glance at the blonde sex doll that had been preoccupying all of Amy's attention.
"Would you like to join us, Archmagos?" the sex doll greeted me. The Artoria Archer saberface fixing her microkini to go back to barely covering her well-crafted feminine parts- just thin strips of white and blue fabric that barely covered anything at all while also snugly clinging to her pale, feminine curves.
Levelling an understanding nod back at Amy, I told her, "While I empathise with your desire to enjoy the company of a superior machine, I had already set the appointment with that neurology Tinker at Toybox. We really shouldn't let any more time pass Vicky by. That's just rude to my best employee. So…"
" Artoria Archer, report to maintenance and resume normal, pre-freeloader operations. "
The Fate waifu's pretty fair-skinned face froze stock still.
" I hear and obey, O' Forgelord. " she responded before marching off- much to Amy's panic.
"No, don't go!" She cried out, her hand tried to reach out to the sex doll, "Awww! The dance was going to have a happy fucking ending. With extra fucking! Then we were going to go back inside and make a Saberface thighs sandwich with Nero. With me as the filling!"
"You'll feel better back home with your normal sister." I told her, but that statement about her sister seemed to make Amy come to a realisation.
"Home…" Amy whispered like it was the name of the devil- her green eyes wide in fear which turned to look at me. "Hey, Magos? I can stay in Fate Impact Land even after Vicky is cured, right? Right?"
"No, like I said- your free trial has come to an end." I refused. "The Mechanicus doesn't work for free. Our services come at a premium as outlined in the Treaty of Olympus Mons just as the Emperor intended. So, if you want to go back to your scissoring, face-sitting, and cunnilingus marathon, you're going to have to acquire a ticket and wait for the park to open just like everyone else on Earth-Bet."
It took her a few seconds to process what I said before all pretence fell out the window as she started panicking.
"PLEASE!" Amy shouted as she launched herself at me- locking her arms around my leg like a koala, "I'll submit my body to your every twisted, degenerate whim if you'd let me stay here!"
"No, let go of me- Why would I even want your fugly meat body?" I immediately refused- my metal hand pushing at her face in an effort to dislodge her from my leg.
"At least pretend to be tempted when a girl is desperately offering her body to you!"
"Just take a shower and get dressed." I chided as I kept pushing her away while trying my best not to break anything fragile and meaty, "Vicky will need a familiar face when we fix her."
"But I don' wanna leave the park! I don' wanna!"
Warp-shrouded communique requested by contact (Dragon)
And while she was busy clinging onto my leg, an incoming call popped up in my mind. I immediately answered it.
Hello, Dragon. What would Earth-Bet's sexiest AI want with me today?
On the AI's flawless light brown face, full pink lips quirked in an amused smile. Brown hair bouncing past her shoulders. Chocolate brown eyes staring back with both an inhuman level of intelligence as well as honest affection. And not a single organic protein in her flawless body. Perfection.
You're talking out loud. I was just going to ask if I can borrow your Cogitator-Throne for my Matrix Project. I've hit an impasse with my current system, and- Magos? What have you done to that poor girl? =
What do you mean?
What do you mean 'what do you mean'?! I'm looking through your sensory feed right now! =
"I wanna stay! I wanna stay!" Amy cried like a child at Disney World- her arms wrapping tighter around my leg, "I wanna stay and get lap pillows and suck big mommy milkies and be called a good little girl! A good girl! Just one more week, please!"
She was like that when I found her- Amy has always been lesbian.
You know that's not what I mean! She's been here for less than three days and… Well, just listen to her! =
"I haven't even met all the Sabers yet!" Amy pleaded- the brunette gripping my red robe, "Mordred and Jalter in particular! I want to find out how many licks it'll take to get to Modred's sweeter side, and also how angsty sex with Jalter is like! Not to mention the other blonde Servants! Or any of the Teyvat ladies at that! I want- No, I need cuddle time with Ereshkigal and Okita! I want to get stepped on by Barbara in her white pantyhose! And drink Cocogoat milk straight from Ganyu's tits! I WANT Cocogoat milkies!"
I don't know what you're worried about. She sounds like she's talking like a normal Fate Fan to me.
I suppose I've heard worse from PHO and- Wait, now that's not normal. =
With a crazed look in her green eyes, the famous New Wave heroine then proceeded to aggressively mime motorboating and sucking on a fat pair of breasts. Her hips swaying lewdly, her hands squeezing and milking the air, and her tongue violently lashing on imaginary nipples as she ranted about milkies.
Yes, but that's just a Fate fan's reasonable reaction to the discovery that their waifus exist in real life.
… I hate how I know you're not exaggerating. I might have to adjust my estimations of Fate Impact Land's effect on society as a whole. =
Indeed! My creation will change the fabric of mankind's way of life! But going back to your initial topic: Sure, I'm transmitting to the Manufactorum the change in permissions for the Cogitator-Throne. But use it sparingly, Warp Technology isn't to be trifled with.
Yes… I won't trifle with the same soul-shredding technology that we've been using as a bedroom aid, and the throne that we've been having sex on for the past few weeks. Still… Thank you for letting me use your workshop. I'll wait for you at home, mon coeur! =
Yes, take care. For now, I have to handle Brockton Bay's least horny Fate fan.
Warp-shrouded communique with contact (Dragon) terminated
"So yeah, I want milkies and I'll even help you get with Carol if it means I can get to them!" Amy cried out, and I looked down at her with whirring optics looking critically at her.
"Really, Amy? You'd offer up your own mother just so that you can keep mingling with Fate waifus?"
Amy seemed to think about what she said for a moment- as if needing the time to think about how pimping out her own mother just so that she can get laid was perhaps not the best move. But no, her Red Cross-covered shoulders just shrugged nonchalantly.
"Actually…" She spoke- averting her eyes, "You'd be doing us both a big favour if you got her to just unclench for five seconds. It hasn't been as bad after the Alan Barnes fiasco and she had an acceptable target to pour her anger out on, but she desperately still needs to decompress. Oh, and thanks for covering me the last time she was here… I don't know how she would have reacted if she found out that I've mostly been staying for the waifu pussy."
"Yes, yes." I rolled my eyes, "Your little sob story about wanting to stay with your dear old sister is safe with me."
"So, is that a yes to Carol?"
"It's still a no."
"But everyone knows that she has serious MILF energy! Even Vicky's uggo hanger-ons stare at her!"
[The Dallon family's duplex home]
'Vicky's mom has got it going on… ' Taylor thought to herself as she sat in the Dallon's warm and cozy living room while her teammate's superpower got to work.
"We're sorry to hear about Vicky, Mrs. Dallon." Lisa murmured with sympathy to Brandish herself who sat across them. The older blonde woman herself lounged on a light goldenrod yellow bathrobe with a glass of red wine in hand. All while looking like some racy magazine's cover model.
"Just call me Carol, Lisa." The New Wave mother reminded her before taking a sip of her wine.
Taylor just put on a fake smile. It just wasn't fair! Every heroine and villainess in Brockton Bay seemed to have a better figure than her. Even Bitch had that wild muscle girl thing going for her! After she watched Aoicus get straddled by and suck face with that lush big-booty latina, she now had a better appreciation (and profound envy) for more mature women. Carol Dallon was what the PHO would dub a quintessential cape MILF alongside her sister, who was equally affectionately named 'Photon MILF'. All the while, here she was- still the same stick thin Taylor Hebert in just her jeans and black t-shirt.
Meanwhile… Carol crossed her long, bare legs as she sighed, "Now that it's already been more than a few days, I should be getting over the girls are away, but the house just feels so empty."
"Yeah." Lisa nodded with a small sad smile, "I know a lot of people our age who moved out… rest assured, I'm sure Vicky is missing you too."
The mature blonde smiled.
"That's kind of you to say, Lisa. But Vicky is…" the New Wave heroine began to say as she tried to pour herself another glass of red wine, but instead found the bottle empty. She pouted for a moment, "You girls feel free to help yourself to our kitchen while I get a new bottle, alright?"
They both nodded with polite smiles as the tipsy woman stood up still swaying from the alcohol, and wandered off deeper into the house.
Left alone with her partner-in-crime, Taylor gave a quick glance at her. Tattletale- or Lisa as she was called right now in her conservative dress and red fake eyeglasses- had real potential for great acts of good in Taylor's eyes; and it only convinced Taylor that her 'Infiltrate the villainous Undersiders' plan definitely had merit. The PRT, and especially Alexandria, will be proud of her when she eventually converts the Undersiders to the Path of Good.
"I wish I had your superpower." Taylor whispered to the pony-tailed blonde to subtly remind Lisa of what a great heroine she could be. "Being able to talk to someone and just… get them to tell you things and convince them to do as you say? You could do a lot of good in the world."
However, instead of being flattered by her compliment, Lisa just looked at her with a look of disbelief.
"Taylor, that's… that's not a superpower." the blonde whispered back, "It's just social skills. You know? Effective communication, active listening, empathising… tact."
"Hey, I might be a bit short on friends, but I'm not that bad."
"The fact that you thought it was a superpower says that you really are that bad!"
"Ugh fine… maybe I might be a bit out of practice." Taylor grumbled. Infiltrating a villain group was a harder test of her patience than she had initially thought. But this went beyond just her personal mission- this was a chance to subvert another bigger time villain's plan that somehow centred around New Wave. All because the Undersiders (which now included Taylor) were given a mission by their shadowy boss which consisted of only one order: 'Find out where Panacea and Glory Girl went, and report back.'
She was just as curious about Amy's and Vicky's fates though. PHO has been going wild with speculation over the past few days, disappearance of Brockton Bay's Best healer and their Collateral Damage Barbie fuelling much conspiracy theory crafting. Theories ranging from Panacea being a secret biotinker that Magos forcibly recruited, to Glory Girl becoming a testbed for technologies, to both heroines becoming Magos' breeding slaves alongside Alexandria in the heart of his manufactorum.
Taylor had to scoff, the last one was definitely just some shitty fanfic.
Magos and Alexandria together? She didn't care how popular it was on shitty PHO capefics, she'd sooner eat her favourite silk-weaving spider before she's convinced that could ever happen. (But that would make her OTP cape pairing of Armsmaster x Dragon possible again though.)
"Are we even sure that Carol knows where her daughters are?" Taylor asked Lisa.
"100 percent!" the blonde answered with an overly confident smirk as she fixed her red eyeglasses. "I had already put most of the pieces together before we got this gig, but the way Carol's been answering our questions has only proven it without a doubt! We know that Magos has contacted her, and that she even visited Glory Girl once… Now, we just need to gently nudge the information of Where Glory Girl is out of her."
Taylor pursed her lips in uncertainty.
The last time either Glory Girl or Panacea had been seen was being whisked away by Aoicus and a Chloe-Skitarii, and the blond teen would have been their first stop for answers if not for the fact they were supposed to do this mission behind his back. Which was a relief for Taylor. If they were going against Aoicus, then it meant that their shadowy employer wasn't Magos this time around.
She didn't trust that metal bastard, especially since he was their boss from time to time.
"Alright, I'm back." Carol Dallon announced with a smile as she walked over to them and sat down with a fresh bottle of wine. Taylor had to force her eyes to keep focus on the motherly woman's eyes as Carol wiggled and jiggled in her filled bathrobes as she got comfy on the leather cushions. The mature blonde poured herself another glass of wine- her second bottle and about 120 minutes into a visit where Lisa did all the talking.
Taylor fixed her glasses, she can prove that she was social and help with the mission too!
"Carol, where's Vicky and Amy exactly?" Taylor asked the older woman- wincing slightly as Lisa went into a coughing fit and 'accidentally' stomping on Taylor's foot, but she pushed on regardless. "You talk like you've visited them."
"I did visit them." Carol Dallon answered with a sigh, swirling her glass of red wine, "Magos invited me through a portal and into a medical facility where Victoria and Amy were staying. Where that facility is actually located, I can only imagine. But he did say that he was working on finding a cure for Vicky. Amy- the sweetheart- chose to stay there out of her love for her sister. I might have treated her too harshly…"
Lisa chose that moment to get back into the conversation- her sugar-sweet smile at the ready, "And I'm sure Amy will forgive and forget! Hell, I bet she's thinking of you right now too!"
"But there were no landmarks or anything to help locate where Vicky is?" Taylor probed forwards- gritting her teeth in pain as Lisa continued to grind her heel on her foot. What was she against her for? She was just getting answers!
"None." Brandish sighed with a shake of her blonde hair. "Except… huh."
She looked out the window as if to reminisce while Taylor and Lisa sat on the edge of their seats.
"There… was only one thing of note though." Carol drunkenly hummed, "A little girl there in a strange black dress. From that Fate game. She talked with Magos for a bit about meeting someone named Tom."
Taylor's brown eyes widened. Their only lead!
"This girl?" Lisa asked in an almost desperate tone as she whipped out her phone- showing Carol a promotional image of Abigail Williams from Fate Impact. A little girl around 12 years old- waif thin frame in a fluffy black dress and an innocent expression framed by long blonde hair. Taylor found it was a bit suspicious how Lisa had a picture on hand… was Lisa an Abigail Williams fan?
"Yes, that's her." the older blonde said with a nod, "So, Magos has a gynoid that looks like one of the characters in his game. Does it mean anything?"
"Likely not." Lisa frowned as well before looking over to Taylor. "Looks like I won't be getting Panacea's autograph today."
It certainly did in Taylor's opinion, but she kept it to herself. She wasn't going to be the one to tell Brandish about what horrible fate Amy must be suffering through right now. It must be horrifying being surrounded by soulless dolls 24/7 for the sake of staying by her sister's side. But it's alright… they were going to rescue them both.
Taylor can just see it now.
= T =
In a cold dark hospital room, hot tears ran down Panacea's freckled cheeks as she sat by the hospital bed. Her hand held her lovingly caressed her comatose sister's hair.
"Why won't you touch us, Amy?" The stiff digital voice of a sex bot reverberated out. Like those porcelain dolls from horror movies. Robotic eyes- glowing but dead- stared unblinkingly at her. "We may be ugly and inhuman, but we are programmed for sex."
Panacea turned her eyes away.
"It's okay, Vicky." She bravely sobbed to her sleeping sister, "We just need to hold out a little longer. Some brave and awesome heroine will come rescue us eventually, I'm sure of it!"
*CRASH*
"It's fine now! Why? Because we are here!"
Through a hole in the ceiling, two silhouettes in black costumes stood with their arms folded across their chests in a cool pose and the sun shining at their backs. Their matching black capes billowing in the wind as sunlight illuminated Panacea's tear-streaked face.
"Alexandria!? Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!?" Amy cried out with disbelief before breaking down crying tears of happiness and relief.
In a flash of movement that Taylor definitely did not rip off from an anime, Alexandria destroyed the closest dolls around Panacea. Electric sparking and squeals of torn metal rang out as the Triumvirate heroine put fists through the heinous sex bots. The metal fiends exploded spectacularly as they were defeated- nuts and bolts peppering the walls of the hospital room while conveniently leaving no collateral damage whatsoever. Meanwhile, bugs swarmed the robots that were farther away from Alexandria- blocking their optics and jamming their joints just long enough for the Triumvirate heroine to deliver the finishing blow.
"You never have to be near sex dolls ever again!" Mysterious Insect Heroine Z heroically announced to the awe-struck Panacea.
"I knew you'd save us!" Amy cried out with fresh tears rolling down her freckled face, "Thank you, thank you, thank you! It has been hell here with no one but Magos' creepy sex dolls! They kept whispering lewd and reprehensible acts to me, but I always said no. I was so scared for my purity!"
"Magos, that metal monster!" Alexandria spat, "Keeping you here with no company except for those sex dolls!"
"Yes, it's been horrible! Thank you for destroying those disgusting sex dolls!" The healer cape sobbed as she ran to hug her saviours, and Alexandria thankfully took the blow for Taylor.
"Please, respect my cape apprentice's personal space as she works."
"Of course! Mysterious Insect Heroine Z, my hero!" Amy cheered, "You two should make a crossover movie together!"
"Yes… we do make a good team. Right, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z?" Alexandria smiled at her. However, unbeknownst to the older heroine, a creepy sex doll approached from her blindspot- a gleaming metal dagger at the ready.
"Alexandria, look out!" Mysterious Insect Heroine Z shouted out. She moved forward with grand sweeping gestures (that Taylor also did not rip off from an anime) as she guided her insects to lift the sneaking sex doll from the room, out the hole in the ceiling and finally throwing it into a volcano that just happened to be right next to the hospital.
"You saved me!" Alexandria said in shock, "That was using a Trump knife that Magos must have Tinkered up, I would not have survived that not even with my invulnerability power… I owe you my life!"
"What are cape partners for?" Mysterious Insect Heroine Z brushed imaginary dust off her shoulder.
"Yes…" the older heroine murmured before looking at Taylor. "Will you help check my body for any injuries?"
Taylor nodded.
"Again… What are cape partners for?" She whispered back- running her hands over the mature heroine's body feeling the hard muscles underneath the thick cloth as she looked for the zipper and-
= T =
Taylor's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.
Wait, wait, wait! Why were her cape power fantasies with Alexandria turning homoerotic?!
"Come on, Taylor." Lisa nudged Taylor with an elbow, "You can wrestle with your budding sexuality at the mall. We'll just come back for Amy's autograph later."
Taylor perked up. That was her cue- the code phrase for 'We got what we came for.' Wait, what was her response line again? Oh, right!
"Thanks for talking with us, Carol. We'll just wait for Amy to get back." Taylor muttered and faced Lisa, "Come on, let's just hang out at the mall."
"Yeah, nice talking with you, Carol." Lisa smiled, "We'll drop a 'Get Well Soon' gift basket for when Amy comes back."
"Nice talking to you girls." Carol drunkenly waved them goodbye as they exited the duplex. And as soon as they were out of earshot, Taylor leaned over to Lisa.
"Why did you say the code phrase?" she asked, "We don't know anything yet!"
"Maybe, maybe not." the blonde hummed- deep in thought. "But we do know that Magos is a whole lot more invested in this than we first thought."
"But we're not any closer to finding where Amy and Vicky are." Taylor pointed out, "All we know is that Magos has walking, talking loli sex dolls. That sick pedo."
"Uh… yeah. You do that, Taylor." Lisa said with a sheepish smile, "I'll just… uh… call our non-pedo boss and tell him what we've found. Maybe he'll have an idea about where Panacea and Glory Girl are… Excuse me for a sec."
Today was a good day for the forces of Good though! They had found a hint of Magos' true colours- kidnapping Vicky, coercing Amy to stay in his hidden base and keeping Carol from them. To think that Amy would willingly stay in that place just to be beside her sister… Oh, the feats that someone was capable of pulling off out of sisterly love. She knew that he was evil, and now, she had a new purpose: Save Amy and Vicky from Magos' clutches.
She turned her determined eyes towards the towering cathedral steeples of the Magos' Manufactorum. And for the first time that she got her powers, Taylor felt that burning fire of heroism in her heart. This is what she was fighting for.
"Hang on, Amy. Vicky." Taylor whispered to the wind, "Resist Magos' temptations for just a bit longer. We're coming to rescue you from his metal grasp soon!"
(Meanwhile) [Fate Impact land]
"Stop trying to pull my trousers down, meatbag!" I yelled at the rabid heroine who was still clinging to my leg- her hands scrabbling for my zipper.
"I'd- no joke- suck your dick twice a day if it means I can stay here!" Amy half-pleaded and half-shouted as she tried to undo my pant buckles while I battered her hands away. Thankfully, before she had a chance to succeed, a pair of Chloe-maids came to handle her. The two blonde gynoids promptly pried the healer off my leg.
"Thrice?! Four times?!" She desperately continued to offer as she was dragged to a nearby shower stall, "Fine, as many times as you want! A-ah, cold! Why is the water freezing!?"
"So, you'll stop being horny!"
It was quite the show too. Two svelte blondes sandwiching the curvy brunette in a red bikini as they lather her up. Panacea was hiding a lot of curves under those robes, and it would have been sexy if it wasn't for all that biomass. Still, it was a testament to how quickly she got used to autonomous sex dolls: Those Chloes were lathering and rinsing her naked body up and down like it was lesbian threesome shower porno, and Amy didn't even give it a second thought. A third Chloe arrived with some towels and a change of clothes for her.
"Oh come on!" Amy continued to plead through the shower stall door as the Chloe-maids dressed her, "What harm is there with me just staying here?!"
"I don't think you appreciate just how valuable and sought after Fate Impact Land will be." I lectured, "Twenty-five million people will be fighting over the tickets. Fighting over a fraction of what you were able to experience in your stay here."
The door pushed open to reveal Amy in her full cape outfit. Her hooded Red Cross-themed Panacea costume once again hid her freckled curvaceous body as two Chloe-Maids flanked her on either side.
"There's seriously that many people playing Fate?" She asked- lips pursed and eyebrow raised, "Unless you got more waifus stocked away in a warehouse or something, there's not enough waifus here to distribute to that many people."
"I know." I said, "That's why fragments of entry tickets can only be acquired via Loot Boxes or competitive events."
"Are you sure you're a Rogue and not a Supervillain?" She asked, "Because people will commit bloody murder to get entry to Fate Impact Land. And I'm sure I'll be the one to have the highest body count!"
"I'm just going to ignore how you're threatening mass murder… also, our ride is here." I muttered, as a blocky red Land Speeder stopped to allow us to embark, its anti-gravity repulsion plates allowing it to skate on thin air just a metre above the yellow sands. We both climbed on and Amy sat down beside me while a Chloe-Maid drove.
"Well, it would be worth it!" Amy insisted. "This beats Disneyland by a long shot! Better rides too. If I had to choose between riding a fucking Disney-brand log down a water slide or Emperor Nero Claudius' face, of course, I'd pick riding the latter! And you can bet that I'd be just as wet when I get off! I mean just look at this place!"
She extended an white-robed arm out of the Land Speeder and to the scenery that we were floating by
An anachronistic hodgepodge of stately manors, great castles, majestic palaces, stoic temples and other locations of inauspicious import… all placed side by side to form a fantastical city where its inhabitants could make the world's collective historical fantasies come to life. Sexual ones included. I didn't have all the waifus from Fate and Genshin Impact at the ready, but I was getting there. In just a few more weeks, I'll have the complete cast at the ready, and the whole world would bow down before me out of their own volition.
"Grrr." the freckled brunette just growled, "Just thinking about being kicked out makes me want to kill someone for their ticket!"
"Fine! We'll figure something out." I said- throwing my hands up in capitulation, "It'll be three months before Fate Impact Land is anywhere ready to open. So, I suppose you can stay until then. For the moment, just… reign in your feral thirsting."
Amy blinked in amazement.
"Wait… me threatening to go on a killing spree in a berserk lesbian rage worked?" She wondered out loud before gratefully launching herself onto me in a hug, "Oh, thank you! I'll name my firstborn child after you! I'll sing praises to them about how gracious you are!"
"Yes, yes… you owe me big time."
"I'll do anything as long as I can stay here!" was Panacea's ready reply and I sighed. I thought that it was a terribly lopsided offer, even if she did have powers over meat. But I suppose if it keeps things in New Wave stable, that was good enough. Panacea stayed quiet for the rest of the ride- just quietly enjoyed the aerial view of Fate Impact Land. The many Fate Impact waifus waving at us as we passed by. And though none of them were truly sentient or real, the bright happy smile that Amy wore certainly was real.
This was a meatbag who had been awakened to the Robussy, and soon, the rest of the world will as well.
[The Brockton Bay Undercity]
In a darkened control room illuminated only by the glow of computer screens, the criminal mastermind Coil sat. His usual costume, a black bodysuit with a single silver snake embossed on it- coiling up and around his torso to rest over his head.
*Ring* *Rin-*
Coil picked up the phone on the second ring. His muscular right arm gripping the burner phone
"Boss? I have news about our interview with Brandish." Tattletale's voice spoke, "The massive plot of land… the existence of Fate waifus in a secret location… Magos really is planning on opening a Fate Impact theme park. Autonomous gynoid waifus included."
His interest was immediately piqued at that. Mouth salivating at the thought. Could Tattletale be implying what he thinks she was implying…? No, he had to make sure.
"And by autonomous, you mean…" He clarified.
"Walking and talking. And knowing Magos, fucking too." Tattletale scoffed, and Coil immediately split the timeline.
Launching himself out of his chair, he shouted victoriously.
"THE PROMISED LAND DOES EXIST!"
"How did you figure this out?" He calmly asked her as he quietly closed the other timeline.
"Brandish spoke about the existence of an autonomous Abigail Williams gynoid- having seen it in person." She confirmed his wildest dreams, "She relayed how it wanted to meet someone named 'Tom.' So, we can assume that it's programmed to have desires. My power says that Magos has likely made other gynoids of Fate Impact waifus as well- given what we know of him."
Tom? Could it be…
Coil slipped on the black low-rise panties that came with his Abigail love doll over his face.
"A CUTE AND FUNNY ANGEL IS WAITING FOR ME! CUTE. AND. FUNNY."
Coil nodded in agreement as he calmly replied, "I can see the reasoning behind that. Did you manage to find out when he plans to open this park?"
"No, my power isn't giving me any accurate guesses." Tattletale muttered in annoyance, "Best guess is anywhere from three months to five years."
Coil grabbed his Abigail love doll and twirled it around in the air.
"FIVE YEARS IS BUT A SHORT INTERLUDE IN MY FOREVER WITH ABIGAIL!"
"I see…" Coil hummed in consideration, "So Magos really was going to uphold his end of the bargain. Eventually. The Fate Impact park's opening will have a profound impact on Brockton Bay's local economy and politics as immigration skyrockets. Yes, we'll have to prepare well for it."
"That's understating it, boss." His Thinker minion sighed, "The Fate Impact Park's opening is going to be the reverse of an Endbringer attack: Everyone's going to be flocking to the city, and Brockton Bay's population will quadruple within the month. Never thought this hellhole city of three hundred thousand will see one million souls… but here we are looking down the barrel of millions. And that's not counting seasonal visitors! This quiet little city by the bay is about to become the East Coast's equivalent of Las Vegas with tens of millions of visitors each year."
"More people means more opportunity." He pointed out.
"And more competition." She shot back. "If fending off foreign cape groups wanting a slice of the rich Quebecois pie that Dragon is making here was bad in the past few weeks, it's going to be a hundred times worse when Magos' robo-pussy park opens. The Undercity is already a powder keg of capes, and this waifu park might just be the spark that would blow this city sky high."
Coil drummed his fingers against his desk. She did have a point. There certainly was much to consider, and there was certainly a lot of work to be done. Current events were already challenging to manage. With the Undercity still mostly unexplored, gangs and cape groups from different cities have had free reign to stake their claim on small plots of territories. Like rats' nests, these little bases were hidden in the vast kilometres of gargantuan subway tunnels and service routes that the Mechanicus has been relentlessly digging over the past weeks. The ABB, the E88 and the Merchants have been the most active they've ever been trying to secure their territory and stamp out these new arrivals.
Coil himself had done his best to insulate his own organisation from getting caught in the crossfire, but with the upcoming Fate Impact Park to open, and the deluge of people that will be scrambling to the city… Direct conflict will be an eventuality.
"In the meantime…" He hummed in a serious tone, "Tattletale, get closer to New Wave. I want you to be there to grill Panacea for information when she returns."
"So, do nothing and just hang out with one of the neighbourhood wine aunts?" She laughed, "I can do that, boss. No take backsies!"
With that, she hung up, and Coil leaned back in his chair- fingers steepling.
But all of these things paled against the reality that there was an Abigail Williams gynoid out there, and she was searching for him. A shiver of anticipation ran through his entire body at the thought of an actual responsive Abigail Williams. He was starting to feel unfulfilled by how unresponsive the dolls that he had acquired from Magos were. Yet here reality has come knocking: An Abigail Williams gynoid out there, and she was searching for him.
No one was going to come between them. No one.
[Fate Impact Land]
I glanced over to Amy who went silent as we landed on the air pad to the medical facility where we kept her sister in stasis.
Wordlessly, we walked down through the sterile halls of plain white metal and into Vicky's operating theatre. Despite having all the waifu gynoids at her disposal, she actually spent a lot of time here- proof that Amy did care. And if there was any doubt, they were washed away by the sorrowful expression she wore as we stood in front of the mutated and time-stopped form of Victoria Dallon.
Still blames herself for what happened.
"Oh Vicky…" I heard Amy murmured wistfully- her green eyes staring at her sister's frozen form. It was a poignant scene. This freckled, brown-haired girl in Red-Cross robes staring up at the sister who she had accidentally disfigured for life.
My red-robed frame stood beside her white-robed one as I placed a hand on her shoulder, "We're getting her cured in just a few minutes, Amy. Things will fall back to normalcy after this."
"Yeah… I guess it will."
Initiating Rite of Awakening for the {Stasis Platform}…
With a mental command, the repulsors underneath the Stasis Platform to initiate- the low thrumming of anti-gravity emanators reverberating out as the platform began to slowly- and very gently- float a foot or two above the floor with Vicky's grotesque form still frozen atop it…
"It's kinda weird now." The white-robed brunette softly said.
"What is?" I asked as I glanced over to the Stasis Platform.
"That I don't find her unbearably attractive anymore." Amy murmured deep in thought as she stared into her sister's frozen eyes as she slowly floated by. "I never realised just how much this had been fucking me up. For the first time in years, Vicky is just… my sister, and I've almost forgotten how sisterly love felt- like it's going to be okay as long as I have my sister by my side, and it feels good. Just… good to have your closest family member with you. Like that's how I was always supposed to feel about her. And ugh, I feel like I keep saying that a lot, but…"
Nodding, the freckled brunette paused to let out a soft exhale before turning her green eyes towards me.
"Thanks, Magos. I owe you, and I mean it." she began, "I really do. If it wasn't for you… Vicky would never have found the help she needed, Carol would still have been pushing herself to the breaking point over her job, and I would have crumbled under the stress and done something stupid and terrible to Vicky… New Wave- I- owe you a lot. And since I know you're not a bad guy… So, those three favours that I agreed to do for you? Screw that. Whatever you need- anything at all- Panacea's your girl."
It was a sincere thank you from a normally socially-prickly girl; and although she was a meatbag, her passion and unrelenting lust for robussy has moved my synthetic heart.
"You're welcome, Amy." I nodded, gently taking her hand and pulling her into a hug. "Here's to hoping that you and your sister's relationship will be better off this time around."
The brief physical contact seemed to surprise her slightly, but her lips still tugged into a wide grin as she looked up at me.
"… Cool it with the sexual tension, bud. I'm not into guys." She joked.
"And I'm not into meatbags."
"Hahahaha!" We both burst out into peals of shared laughter as we hold onto each other for support. Friends, I suppose. By virtue of our mutual desire to fuck robots and our mutual sexual disgust for one another. Well, mostly mutual…
~W~ Panic/Lust bubbles up as she realises that she holds some honest affection for you after having been- however indirectly- sexually satisfied by you. ~M~ ~W~
Amy is struggling with the fact that she wouldn't mind going bi for you. ~M~ ~W~
Panic/Lust. ~M~
… I'll just do the classy thing and not bring that up.
But by the Machine-God, I'm not even actively trying to romance her, and here she was already developing feelings for me! All because I believed in giving an excellent employee correspondingly excellent medical benefits! Was every meat-female here on Earth-Bet- in one form or another- a depressed, overworked loner struggling so much to form effective coping mechanisms and so utterly starved of honest affection to the point that they'd latch onto the first 'cute' guy who expresses something even remotely close to genuine care for them?!
"Archmagossss~! Another visitor is here to see you!" a little girl's voice yelled out, and both Amy and I turned around to spot little Abigail Williams leading a much taller woman by the hand. Alexandria's brown eyes lit up the moment she saw me.
~W~ Affection floats up as Rebecca remembers what you two have been doing these past 24 hours. ~M~ ~W~
It has been a whirlwind romance for her, and she can't get enough of it. ~M~ ~W~
Affection. ~M~
… Nevermind, I think I got my answer.
"Good job, Abigail." I praised the little girl. "Have some sweets. Be sure to share with your friends."
"Thank you, Archmagos!"
"Magos…" the older woman greeted with a fond smile. Clad in gunmetal armoured bodysuit and an armoured half-skirt with visor, she managed to distance her look from her Alexandria persona while still having similar silhouettes.
"Who's the new girl?" Amy asked tersely.
Feels like you two had a warm moment and feels that it's been interrupted. Amy's eye movement indicates that she's focusing on Rebecca's figure. Feels threatened by how tall and shapely she is.
"Call me Pergamum." Rebecca said with a knowing smile, "All you really need to know is that I'm a regular flying brick who'll be standing in as the muscle for this op. You must be Panacea, it's a pleasure to meet you."
I had to keep from facepalming as Rebecca apparently named herself after yet another library in antiquity. Add to the fact that Pergamum was also a library to rival that of Alexandria might be a bit too on the nose too. It's like she wants to be found out. However, that little nugget of historical fact seemed to have been lost on Amy as instead of shaking Rebecca's offered hand, she chose instead to just glower at me.
"Yes, Amy?" I sighed.
"You already have my sister replaced with this cheap-ass Alexandria package?!" She demanded before throwing a glance at the doubly-disguised Brute heroine, "No offence."
"Some offence taken." Rebecca deadpanned as she retracted her hand. "Magos, can I tell her who I really am? After yesterday's debacle with Taylor, this kind of treatment is getting tiresome quickly."
"Very well." I capitulated as I walked over to Vicky and double-checked the stasis field integrity as she slowly floated for the Warp Gate, "I trust you're familiar with your armour's costume change function by now. Feel free to dazzle Panacea."
Rebecca fiddled for a few seconds with her armour before it began furling back into her regular outfit. Necron Cryptek techno-sorceries at work transmogrifying the molecular composition of it, reshaping the colour and texture of each individual strand. Naturally, such transmogrification technology had fascinating military and industrial applications outside of just haute couture, but… Rebecca seemed to appreciate it a lot. And I was vindicated yet again that gifting great clothes for your girlfriend was always the right move; first, it was power armour for Dragon, now it was a shapeshifting costume for Rebecca. And the hidden functions that I placed into that outfit… I can't wait for her to discover them.
Meanwhile, Panacea was just plain unimpressed as she watched Rebecca's outfit continue to reform around her body like shifting shadows. The effect of having been living in my technological wonderland of Fate Impact Land, I suppose.
"Oh, please." the healer cape scoffed, arms crossed and a dismissive expression on her face. "I'm part of New Wave. We're practically the most recognisable cape family in Brockton Bay, I can fucking guarantee you that I don't give a rat's ass who you ar-"
Then Rebecca's costume finished shifting, and Amy's green eyes widened to dinner plates.
"Holy shit, you're fucking Alexandria!" The brunette cried as she began nervously sweating as she realised who she had been disrespecting all this time.
"I'll be honest. It feels good to be recognised again." was Rebecca's smug reply, and Amy just continued stammering wide-eyed.
"But you're supposed to be on that secret mission shit- I mean… Uh… should I still be coming along?" Amy hesitantly asked Alexandria. "I mean, what kind of trouble are we expecting that Magos needs you to come along… ma'am?"
"I'm just here for deterrence, mostly." Rebecca hummed- morphing her costume back into her gray alternate costume, "People tend to underestimate the Chloe-Skitarii armed with Taser weapons, but a Brute Cape? Someone who you know is physically stronger, tougher and can break bones like toothpicks? Now that's an instinctual fear that everyone in Earth-Bet knows very well. A primal caveman instinct that we'll be leveraging to our advantage today."
She aimed a confident smile at the younger heroine.
"So, don't worry, you're in little danger, Panacea."
"… thank you, ma'am."
Alexandria nodded, "It's what I do."
"No, that's not what I'm thanking you for." Amy corrected, "I meant about coming along specifically for this mission to help my sister."
Rebecca's features softened at that as she looked over to me. Her brown eyes glittering with affection.
"Thank Magos. He asked a favour. I couldn't say no." she said fondly… which was more than enough for Amy to put the pieces together. Her green eyes wide with disbelief as she pointed her finger at us.
"Wait a minute, are you two… fucking?!"
"No!" "Yes."
Rebecca and I glanced at each other for a second. Her eyes narrowed.
"I'm fine with the rest of the Triumvirate knowing." She told me in an even tone of voice, "But let's not make our relationship public knowledge."
"You're not exactly making it a secret either." I shrugged back. "What did that internal memorandum that you distribute say to capes that had relationships with partners that PR considered… 'problematic'? Ah yes. Learn how to act naturally."
"So, you two definitely are!" Amy cried out- practically hyperventilating before loosing a verbal barrage. "Holy shit. Holy shit! This is huge! Is it true that she's pregnant? Wait, aren't you like a third of her age? Wait, aren't you not-legal sixteen?! Alexandria is breaking the law for you?! That's spicy!"
I glanced over to the nervously sweating Rebecca who was caught in a dilemma.
Is torn between admitting that she has a thing for blond teens and outing herself as a cradle-robbing cougar, or feigning ignorance and coming off as being so easy that she'd let a toaster-obsessed weirdo talk her into his bed.
I could help her out of course- There were twelve different plausible things that I could say to Amy to wave off any awkwardness about our recently developed sexual relationship… and naturally, I was going to do none of them.
"She has a teen blond kink." I told Amy in a flat tone, and Rebecca immediately burst into a nuclear red blush.
"Magos!"
"Oh my god!" Amy shrieked, "Alexandria has a less-than-legal kink for less-than-legal blonds-"
"Amy, only I can bully Alexandria." I interrupted her, "So, be civil to and about my other employees, or I'm kicking you out of Fate Impact Land."
"… as I was saying, that's perfectly understandable." Amy just nodded serenely as if that explained everything- walking over to Alexandria and shaking her hand, "It's good to meet a fellow sister in the Church of Hot Blondes and Blonds. Never thought it would be Alexandria though, but I'll give you some credit: Magos is seriously cute in his Aoicus identity, er… objectively speaking."
I just shook my head as I began to lead the floating stasis platform out of the room and into the corridor.
"Let's go already." I called back to them, and they did- falling in step behind me as we headed to the Warp Gate that led to the rendezvous point with Toybox.
"Can I ask you something though?" I heard Amy whisper to Rebecca as they followed behind me, "Is the Cyberdong really as big as it looks in Dragon's porn?"
That was quite the question to ask the most iconic heroine since the dawn of parahumans, but Amy's confidence (read: lack of shame) seemed to have been emboldened after having lived in a haven of sex that was Fate Impact Land. More surprising however was Alexandria's response. They must not have known, but there were cameras everywhere, so I saw it when Rebecca glanced at my back for a moment before holding her hands a very specific distance apart, a slightly smug smirk on her face.
"… dayum." Amy said with a low whistle, "That's a big girl ride right there. No wonder he went after you, I don't think a normal girl can take that."
"… he's surprisingly gentle." Rebecca said before adding a bit more quietly, "And he's really good with his tongue."
"Huh, I always thought he'd be a more selfish lover." Amy replied as she gave me a strange look behind my back, a light blush on her face. "If he's as good as any of the waifus here…"
Great… I had both Dallon meatbag siblings lusting after me now. But I'm glad that my sexual prowess is allowing Alexandria to make fast friends out of Panacea. Hopefully, the same could be said when she talks with Dragon. It was important for members of my nascent harem of lustful AIs and sexy cyborgs to get along after all. And wouldn't that be quite the sight? The famous Dragon and the equally legendary Alexandria. Especially if I get them both in french maid outfits… Two lovely caramel brown ladies in frilly white lace trim on black wool dresses, gracefully fluffy petticoats and thigh-hugging stockings. French maid Dragon and french maid Alexandria.
Yes… the sooner I can get Vicky back into a proper body, the sooner I can enjoy an AI in a french maid costume.
"Hey Magos, where are we meeting Toybox?" Amy piped up.
"In their camp hideout just east of Cleveland." I told her.
"Wait, we're going to Ohio?!" Amy shouted in abject terror- taking a step back. "No, not Ohio! Anywhere but Ohio!"
"Calm down." I sighed, "What happened to you back during the Behemoth fight was just bad luck. It's not like an Endbringer is going to attack again while we're there."
"Easy for you to say!" She grumbled, "You weren't the one pulling long hours while freezing your ass off in the middle of bumfuck nowhere! Cincinnati was bad enough in December, but now we're going further north-east?! I mean, can't we meet Toybox somewhere nice like a beach in North Carolina?"
Alexandria just gave the younger heroine a stern stare.
"Panacea, quit your bitching and do it for your sister."
"yes ma'am." Amy squeaked, and Alexandria nodded- apparently satisfied. I didn't have the heart to tell the Triumvirate heroine.
Amy is turned on. Is a sub. Notable daddy and mommy issues. Sexually confused because Alexandria's hair isn't blonde like Vicky's, but she still feels arousal
Amy and Rebecca can work that out themselves.
However, that was for later, for we had reached our destination: the medical wing's {Warp Gate} hall. A cavernous great hall of white walls, white floor tiles and sterilised air. Deliberately engineered to be large enough to be a hangar for the largest commercial airplanes, this place was to be the triage centre for future Endbringer attacks- housing and treating Endbringer victims by the thousands with even more space in the surrounding hangars. And right at the back wall was a massive arc not unlike the Arc De Triomphe in Paris, the {Warp Gate} itself, large enough to accommodate the passage of my Knight-Atropos through it.
Hewn on its great black surface, a thousand angels stared down at us as we approached. The left side of their faces rendered with skeletal bionics, and the other half had their lips mid-prayer.
I muttered a quiet prayer to the Machine-God as well. Opening a portal this wide, across dimensions, to accommodate cargo that should be temporally locked… this was going to be the most exposure to Warp energies I've had in a while. Even when the Warp was relatively calm and tampered with in a controlled environment, the chances of forever losing one's soul was non-zero.
Initiating Rite of Awakening for Warp Gate:Fate Impact Land…
Warp Gate:Fate Impact Land… heeds the Archmagos' command…
Initiating Rite of Remote Awakening for Warp Gate:Ohio…
Warp Gate: Ohio… heeds the Archmagos' command…
Performing Ordination of Warp Gate Synchronizations
Warp Gates Synchronized
Awakening Warp Gate at 66% max load
Purple and pink lightning swirled around a single point at the centre like a spinning fan, and the iris opened. First to the size of a small window peering out to shadows, then to the size of a door to nowhere, then to the size of a dark mountain tunnel leading to the abyss, then finally… Space succumbed, Time shattered and all the wrongness in the galaxy opened its arms wide to receive us. A gargantuan maw to unreality itself opened wide to loose a tidal wave of raw emotion with such weight that it was like a physical force pushing against us. Tickling joy, smouldering anger, bitter melancholy, glass-like Hope, green jealousy and myriads of others… all of it brushing at the back of minds. Prickling at our very souls.
"Magos…" Alexandria breathed- staring at the turbulent surface of the open Warp Gate like two oceans of two different planets clashing together, "… what the hell?"
"Exactly." I quietly said back. "Give it a moment…"
Warp Gate semi-stable equilibrium achieved at 85%~
Then… the Warp Gate stabilised under Necron techno-sorceries. The chaotic surface stilled, but not completely. Like looking at the disturbed surface of a pond, a grassy field appeared before us through the choppy ripples. A group of people already waiting on the other side in the distance.
"Alright." I nodded- beckoning to the wary-eyed Alexandria and Panacea. "Let's go."
Amy paused for a moment. "Ah, shit. Here we go again."
So, under the gaze of the arch's thousand stony-faced angels, we walked through the titanic Warp Gate. Passing the place where the laws of time and space cannot exist. Traversing strange aeons and myriad realities where all things are possible and nothing is beholden to reason. Tunnelling deeper and deeper into hell than the light of any good god has ever touched to reach the place that lay beyond.
To reach Ohio.
- Brockton Bay's Least Horny Fate Fan End -
AN:
Wrote this chapter so that people can catch up easier…
after the fic didn't update for about three months. A certain someone ( sinereal ) wrote some heart-wrenching stuff about Dragon here in QQ (His fic, Signal to Noise), so now I must even out the karmic balance of AI waifus, and mend my frail meatbag heart. So, Canadian AI cinnamon roll stuffing everyone into The Matrix: Super-Canada EditionTM is as green light!
The Ohio joke existed long before the big oopsie cloud appeared… I've had this chapter just sitting around since December of 2022. Also, a mod said that it was still okay to post this chapter, so… Go, Ohio!
We almost had Amy smut this chapter… That "Panacea's your girl" bit was supposed to be a gratitude-fueled blowjob with her sister's crush right in front of said sister. Kinky. But then I realised that she was still a meatbag, so that's a no go.
I'll update a few times… then go back to my other fic, Burn the World Down.
Chapter 37: [Future] [Perfect]
Chapter 37: [Future] [Perfect]
[Low Earth Orbit]
The time was close at hand.
'[Fulcrum]'
The local yellow star rose over the arc of the local planet, and the Simurgh felt its radiation bear down on her ivory white frame. The planet's dominant lifeforms called this solar cycle a 'day' in their feeble resemblance to her song-sight. And as the 'day' progressed, they sang without seeing and continued in their predictable trajectories- living blindly as if today would be another day just like any other… Completely unaware that her Song was surging up its crescendo as the planet turned underneath her.
'[Lever]'
And oh, how she had Sung and shaped the Futures.
Behind her lay a tangled web of machinations that she had woven across the face of the planet. Some she had braided out of salvaged threads of obsolete schemes, others fabricated in more haphazard urgency. And in front of her were so many futures that had now fractured, the threads of cause and effect unravelling from their complex braids. All the doing of the aberrant fulcrum to be sure. His influence reached across the planet to unravel her schemes. But for all his efforts…
… Here they had arrived all the same.
Standing at the precipice of her greatest and possibly last masterstroke. For today was as far as her Song will carry her- not even she could see what tomorrow holds anymore.
'[Motion]'
And so, all that she could muster, she had arrayed this day- a grand machination of cause and effect several lunar cycles in the making. The Fulcrums that she had once utilised- [Shaper, [Fragile One] and even the [High Priest]- All their utility, she now expended for this one final Song…. Echoing through all the instances of space, shifting the Fulcrums, galvanizing the Levers, locomoting the World to a specific state. And on this day, the pieces that she had placed were set to align.
The Key will at long last fall into place and open the way.
The Simurgh had sung as the days had crept by, sung as the hours bled away, and now, she sings as- one by one- the minutes dwindled. Singing of the [Fulcrums] and the roles they were to play this day.
Just one last Song before the whole planet descends into the state that has always been intended for it.
'[Conflict]'
The [Shaper, gaunt from hunger yet [Noble] still, fashioning the perfect [Key]…
[A few kilometres east of Cleveland, Ohio]
"I've got a really bad feeling about this, Magos." Amy Dallon's soft voice muttered to me.
Snow crunched underfoot as she glanced my way- her green eyes peering from underneath the white cowl of her Panacea robes. Her freckled face pink from the cold as we walked over to the snow-covered metal bunker where Toybox was waiting for us.
"You think that Toybox is going to try something?" Alexandria, or 'Pergamum' as she was known in her current gunmetal gray costume, spoke for me- a curious tone in her voice like a teacher hearing one of her students' pet theories, surprised by Amy's naivete. Which was to be expected. As former PRT Chief-Director, the older woman naturally had an encyclopaedic knowledge of cape groups here in North America.
"Toybox could try something, yeah." Amy murmured back, her brown eyes warily glancing at the trees as if she expected something to come charging out any moment now. "Or it could be someone else. Always someone else."
Alexandria nodded in understanding- specifically the type of mutual understanding between two paranoids.
"Toybox has a very reliable track record when it comes to their dealings. They didn't survive this long by backstabbing their business partners. No, Reputation is everything to a Rogue Capes, and Toybox as a collective has spent years building up their rep as the most neutral blackmarket vendors of Tinkertech, and they're not about to throw it all away now." the Triumvirate heroine paused to look over to my red-robed form before adding. "Especially not against the poster boy of Rogue Capes who now controls a multibillion dollar company that reaches every continent on Earth-Bet."
"Oh?" I chuckled- the harsh electronic laugh reverberating through the cold winter air, "How did your last deal with this 'poster boy Rogue' turn out for you?"
"It's going pretty well, the side benefits weren't what I expected coming in." the mature latina replied with a sultry smile before pushing it into a frown- all business, "But we should focus on the task at hand. If we get down to brass tacks, between myself and the…"
She gave a quick glance around the forest clearing- to the staunchly armoured Chloe-Skitarii wielding their glowing {Arc Rifles} and brutal {Taser Mauls} that could down a Brute 2 with a single tap.
"… two platoons of your Skitarii." Rebecca finished counting with a nod. "No Cape would dare try anything."
"She's right on that account." I agreed- turning to look at the skeptical younger heroine. "In just these past few months alone, the Chloes have developed their own reputation as both the PR-friendly face of the Mechanicus and as exceedingly effective combatants that could take inhuman coordination to strike down every sorry meatbag who had threatened Mechanicus interests across the globe: normies and parahumans alike. Between 'Pergamum' here and the most fearsome sex dolls in the world, very few people would even think of crossing us right now."
However, Rebecca seemed to take offence to that, because her brown eyes aimed a flat look at me, "Did you really have to explicitly compare me to sex dolls?"
"Don't worry, you're the far better lay." was my honest reply. Which was enough to make her stumble slightly in surprise, but I continued anyway, "Your powers lend you a tightness that I couldn't outfit my Chloes with, and has an interesting effect on your skin and on your inner walls when you tense your body while you cum. And though you still have a slight skill issue in the bedroom, we can keep working on that."
"That's not… ! Why are you- Ugh." She sputtered- completely embarrassed and blushing so hotly that it was visible on her brown cheeks, "Why do you have to be like this, Magos?"
Good. Good. The training to condition Alexandria to be aroused to me bullying her was progressing nicely.
"Thanks, I'm feeling like a very reassured third wheel right now." Amy grumbled. "I can't even pinpoint why I'm feeling so paranoid right now."
"Perhaps, it's because you're not acquainted with Toybox unlike with me?" I suggested instead, and Amy just aimed a deadpan stare with her green eyes at me.
"Yeah… Locking my horny ass up in a hospital room with sex dolls while you watched me cum my brains out was just us 'getting acquainted.'" The brunette healer muttered before adopting a thoughtful expression on her freckled face. She glanced back to the Warp Gate where Vicky would be shortly following suit on her {Stasis Platform}, "But it does feel weird having a stranger help unfuck the biggest fuck up I've done in my life."
However, said stranger from Toybox met with us.
A short asian girl with shoulder-length black hair emerging from the Toybox bunker. Her Cape costume consisted of a fluttering lab coat over a set of sleeveless tan power armour- likely the work of her colleague, Toy Soldier, the power armour-Tinker. A simple half-mask 'hid' her identity, and a crown with odd ports rested on her head - likely her own creation for quickly inserting memories and possibly skills into herself.
"So, w-we finally meet face to face, Magos!" stuttered the Cape.
The [Remembrancer, erstwhile scribe of the [Warrior, craft me the instrument to sound the clarion call.
"I'm Cranial, and I'm- I'll be presenting- I mean- I'll be representing the unified interests of Toybox for this deal!" The girl stammered while she did her best to sound confident when she was clearly the opposite.
Well, she certainly looked like a 'Cranial.' Neurology was an interesting Tinkertech speciality all around. Though she was clearly nervous for this meeting, because in spite of the winter cold, she extended a sweaty palm towards me for a handshake.
"It's nice to meet Erath-Bet's rich- biggest tinker in person!" She enthused as we shook hands- a slight wince on her nervous smile as my cold, metal hand made contact with her fragile pinkish meat one. "Also… if it's alright, Magos sir… Can you tell your Chloe minions to not scare away the next client, she's kind of arriving right after our meeting? If that's fine with you, I mean! You're still my number one priority! Ehehe?"
"Of course." I nodded. That was understandable, but I did make a mental note to hack into Toybox's machines later. After all, it was a longstanding wisdom amongst the Adeptus Mechanicus that the unenlightened can't be trusted with blessed machines.
Cranial's masked face glanced over Amy.
"You must be Panacea, it's nice to meet you too." She amicably greeted the New Wave Heroine while also extending her hand. Amy reached out to shake it only for Cranial to suddenly retract her hand as she realised who she was talking to. "Uh… I hope it's alright if we don't shake hands. No offence."
"That's fine." Amy gruffly replied, her green eyes narrowing.
Jaw clenched, rise in blood pressure. Amy doesn't like being treated like a bomb waiting to explode- reminds her of her adoptive mother's semi-regular lectures about heroism, duty and self-control.
Feeling petty. Strongly dislikes Cranial already.
Ignorant to the bad first impression she just made with the biokinetic, Cranial glanced over to the doubly-disguised Alexandria- her eyes failing to identify the gray armoured bodysuit, "I'm sorry, I don't think we've heard of you before…"
"I'm a relatively new Cape." Rebecca effortlessly lied with a smile. "Pergamum. I'll be acting as Magos' and Panacea's bodyguard for this."
"A brute? Please be gentle with my hand then." Cranial nervously laughed as she shook hands with the tall latina before looking over my shoulder to the Warp Gate where Vicky was- her warped, meatball form atop the Stasis Platform was slowly emerging through the shimmering portal of the great stone arch. She paled as she muttered in horror, "That's Glory Girl?"
"Who else would it be, you chucklefuck?" Amy snapped.
I sighed- glancing over to the biokinetic brunette, "I know you're anxious to help Victoria, but be professional, Panacea."
"Fine." the brunette sighed reluctantly- crossing her white-robed arms, "How is this supposed to go, Magos?"
"Once she's completely through, I'll deactivate the stasis field." I explained, "The Chloe-Skitarii have been programmed with some medical skill, so they'll keep her stable long enough for Cranial to keep just her mind in stasis."
"You sure you can do that?" Amy asked the Neurology tinker.
"Of course." She grinned, "It's actually a collaboration of Tinkertech between Glace, Dodge and me! You see- Glace's speciality is Stasis while Dodge makes pocket dimensions. So, combine those two with my Neurology speciality and you get a piece of tinkertech that keeps only the mind in stasis! You have no idea how long I've been waiting to get the money and resources to build something like this!"
After the explanation, 'Pregamum' seemed to realise something- her brown eyes staring at me hard.
"Magos…" she murmured, "You're not planning on doing to Glory Girl…"
'… What you did to me?' was the unsaid phrase. My tripartic green eyes stared at her under the cowl of my red robes. I could understand her disapproval. Necron Biotransference- tearing the soul from the body- was not a pleasant procedure by any means, and I had only done it to Cauldron as a punishment. A means of sating Dragon's thirst for justice. If I had my way, I'd have just stopped at employing them… but I suppose I would not have ended up with a tall, tomboy in an android body.
"No." I denied, "That was a vastly different procedure… Instead, Dragon will be handling the medical side of things when Glory Girl's mind is properly preserved enough for her to operate. Panacea here can supervise the whole thing. But you can count me out on that- I do not deal in meat."
However, also left unsaid was that 'I do not' is different from 'I can not.' I had more than enough knowledge to effectively make Vicky a meat body of her own. Grow it to be indistinguishable from her old body, or even go all out and augment it with stronger muscles, tougher skin, a second heart, or 18 other extra organs…. And she shall know no fear. Yes, making Space Marines was within my capability; I had almost finished scraping the bottom of the [Plecian Tome] of its secrets after all. But ultimately, I won't do that because that was against what I stood for.
Perhaps if I was pressed, I could, but Dragon had volunteered to handle it- patiently understanding of my distaste for flesh.
"You're leaving the medical side to an AI?" Rebecca questioned incredulously.
"And you thoroughly underestimate what Dragon is capable of." I gave a bark of laughter, "She's on a different league of Tinker Capes. Dragon is more willing to handle medical technology than I ever will. Everyone seemed to have overlooked the fact that my smolderingly hot AI girlfriend has always been an expert in bioengineering. She has been fabricating organic computers for her Dragonflight mechs since the beginning of her career as a super heroine- long before I had arrived to enlighten her on the weakness of the flesh."
"Wait… you went out of your way to convince an AI to bear contempt for everything organic?" Cranial said- her voice on the verge of panic.
"It's like you don't know who you're talking to. Of course, I did!" I scoffed- slightly offended, "Well, I tried at least. But despite my best arguments, Dragon is still too Canadian- and thus- cares a lot about the little things like preserving people's fragile sense of being human. She's quite the medical expert actually. Compared to biocomputers, fabricating human skin, bones, organs and muscle tissue is a breeze for her. The Dragonslayers even outlined that not-so-little fact in their manifesto- putting forth vivid comparisons and references to the flesh-warping cruelties committed by an AI in the scifi story ' I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.'"
"Oh… I've read that." Cranial muttered with a horrified shiver, "Suddenly, Glory Girl doesn't look that out of shape compared to what Dragon can potentially make people into."
"Yes… Unfortunately for the Dragonslayers, people had been too distracted jacking off to Dragon's porn hoard. What a tragedy."
Rebecca's pink lips curled into frowned.
"Magos, you're not helping people's perception of Dragon here." She sighed before looking at the horrified Cranial, "What Magos is trying to say is that the fact that Dragon could but won't… it speaks more about her character than anything else."
"Oh, I see n-"
"No, I just find homicidal AIs cute." I corrected- promptly evoking a facepalm from Rebecca. I ignore as I glanced back to where Vicky was almost halfway through the portal now, "Anyway… just give it a few more minutes. There weren't many ways to keep Glory Girl in stasis AND transport her here."
"Well, we have time!" Cranial reassured with a nod- eager to get back to business and put my attempts to corrupt the AI to my way of thinking behind her. "This won't take long at all, and Toybox always ensures that no one is here for miles around. We're perfectly safe!"
[Low Earth Orbit]
The Key was turning within the Gate, and the time was now.
There. On the surface of this world directly below her, an aperture was opening, and from it, anomalous [Information] unlike anything she had ever witnessed poured forth like a deluge. It was a doorway through a place where even she scarcely dared to set foot on. Pasts and futures looping, interlocking, and interweaving together with a disquieting chaos with no rhyme reason nor sanity.
If the dominant life forms of this planet could see what she saw, their fragile minds would have broken under the strain of attempting to comprehend it.
Magos with his strange machines had seen him triumphant against the greatest of [Fragments] from both the stock of the [Warrior] and the [Thinker: He had overpowered [High Priest, blinded Abaddon's [Eye] and had even beguiled [The Puissant Statuary] to his side. Even the Nobles- the [Queen Administrator] and the [Shaper]- move to his wishes. Against each one, his knowledge had seen him win the day- permitting him to fabricate machinery that was veiled from her Sight to vanquish his enemies, and impose his order upon the world as he saw fit.
The Simurgh knew for certain that she would have lost, unable to see and anticipate what new technologies he would array against her; but that wasn't the outcome that was about to come to pass for she had seen far enough. And she knew that despite all his grand inventions and far-reaching influence across the planet… At this precise moment in all of time, Magos was at his most vulnerable.
For after all…
Magos, my beloved, when was the last time you prayed for more knowledge?
Her wings spread, her vector shifted in speed and direction, her physical form skated through space and her Song illuminated the minute fleeting details of the future she chased. And for the first time in many lunar revolutions, the Simurgh moved in earnest. She darted downwards. Her form wreathed in the igniting atmosphere as she spiralled in fractals- the flames of reentry licking at her ivory white frame.
And beneath her, the whole world screamed as she descended from their sky.
[Back in Ohio]
Magos! We have a problem! The Simurgh is descending from orbit! =
I know!
"The Simurgh is descending from the atmosphere!" I called out, and that made the current talks immediately grind to a halt. Panacea, Alexandria, and the Cranial… every one of them wide-eyed as they looked at my red-robed frame in fear and disbelief at the bad news. Meanwhile, I took the time to do what any good Archmagos did: I rallied my troops for war.
Establishing Noospheric connection to main cogitator…
Ordination of Adeptus Mechanicus Combat Operations Proclaimed
Tolling Congregation Bells for Chloe-Skitarii macroclades…
Awakening Gun Servitors, Medicae Servitors and Kataphron Battle-Servitors…
Distributing thrice-blessed ammunition to the Omnissiah's faithful…
Appeasement of Titanicus Machine Spirits: 1.351% complete
Estimated Time before Pre-Battle Blessings and Ordination Concludes: 150.797 seconds
I had learned from my fight with Behemoth: I was going to be the first one into the fray this time. Stomping into battle with the biggest frakking guns the world will ever see.
"The Simurgh is attacking?! That's too soon!" Amy was the first to squawk what everyone was thinking, "That's two weeks too early for another Endbringer attack in the least! And I thought we had an Endbringer Early Warning thing?!"
She was right, of course. The Endbringer Early Warning Algorithm that had worked so well against Behemoth didn't even utter so much as a ping for this! Were the Endbringers already changing tactics already? What brought on this escalation in their tactics? And, most importantly, were they going to fight seriously now? However, all the possible answers I arrived at were not reassuring in the least…
"Magos, have you sent out the alert?!" Rebecca barked out- her whole body tense and readying herself for combat.
"It's already out!" I told her, "Dragon, the PRT and the Mechanicus are all mobilising everything we have!"
"Do we know anything about where it could be targeting?!"
Commencing Data-Transfer…
"Oh my… that's not ominous at all…" I commented as I absorbed the data.
"Magos, where is it!?" Alexandria demanded.
"Not far from here! Cleveland from the looks of it!"
Blood draining from their faces, everyone did a double take to westward- past the many grassy fields and empty roads- where the city of Cleveland stood.
"I called it! I fucking called it!" Amy angrily shouted before raising both her middle fingers raised up at the sky, "Well, fuck you too, Ohio! I never liked you either! If I make it out of this alive, you can bet that I'll be shitting on your governor's porch!"
Ignoring Amy's outburst, I sent a mental command to the two platoons of Chloe-Skitarii in the immediate area.
Chloe-Skitarii, support the Cleveland PRT in their Endbringer evacuation.
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord!
May the Omnissiah be with you.
Taser weapons crackling, the Chloes' red-robes billowed among the falling snow as they sprinted westwards into the treeline. I didn't even spare them a second glance before I looked over to Cranial and urgently said, "We'll resume our business at a later date!"
"R-right! We'll bug out for now!" the Tinker in the armoured lab coat stammered out as the other members of Toybox as they emerged from the bunker- likely having been listening in. She whipped her head towards them with a shout, "You heard Magos, we need to GO!"
The [Puissant Statuary, lost armour of fallen [Eden, stay Magos' hand and borrow the time for my passage…
"Like hell you are!" the still-disguised Alexandria angrily roared at Toybox who were panicking amongst themselves, "Join in the defence against the Simurgh!"
Cranial's jaw dropped.
"Lady, are you nuts?! We're Tinkers!" She squawked in apprehensive disbelief, "The hell am I supposed to do in an Endbringer fight? Inject people with happy thoughts?! We need to get out of here now!"
I stepped into the discussion- my metal hand holding Alexandria's shoulder.
"Pergamum!" I stressed her cover name, "We don't have time for this!"
"No, we don't!" She agreed with a growl- floating a few inches higher into the air, "We've been caught off-guard: We need every pair of hands for this! And you, all of you!"
She pointed an armoured finger to the surprised faces of Toybox.
"You've been dodging your duties as capes for far too long! The only reason the PRT has leniently refrained from cracking down on your black market ways was the expectation that you would eventually contribute to an Endbringer fight. Here you are, the closest to the catastrophe and you still refuse to answer the call. No more games, Toybox. Prove that you're on the side of humanity!"
That was certainly a brief but impassioned speech. However, Cranial- with all the courage of a cornered rat wanting to escape- stepped up to meet Rebecca's hard stare. Clad in her lightly-armoured lab coat costume, she stepped up with an indignant demand, "Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Rebecca's lips frowned for a second, then her costume shifted back to her original one. Armoured and black as night, the hem of her heavy full cape brushing against the snow-covered grass before she floated a few inches above the ground. Her long raven-black hair fell down past her shoulders. Her metal visor looked down at them like a military judge staring down at a bunch of deserters.
"A-Alexandria!" Cranial cried out in disbelief as fearful sweat dripped down the side of her face and the fear of God was struck in Toybox- collectively taking a step back in surprise at the sight of the legendary heroine in her full glory, "Why are you working for- Wait, how are you even… Nevermind, you can't force us to do this! Endbringer fights are a voluntary event, right guys?"
She glanced back at the rest of Toybox and seeing only insistent shakes of head- they'd rather take their chances with the Simurgh than face Alexandria now. Seeing the rest capitulating, Cranial also folded- throwing her hands in the air, "Ugh… fine! We'll stick around and attend an Endbringer fight for once!"
"Good." was all Alexandria said before she floated over to me. "Magos, a word in private?"
I nodded and we walked closer to the Warp Gate- her back turned to the Toybox capes who were hurrying to gear up.
"Magos." She spoke- a hard and serious tone in her voice as she leaned closer to whisper. "Authorise me for Doormaker. Now that Cauldron is defunct, I want every Cape we can get our hands on at this Endbringer battle and end the Simurgh threat once and for all."
"You do know that people are going to recognise those portals, right?" I pointed out in a low voice so that the others in the distance wouldn't hear, "Doctor Mother tried too hard to impress your clients and showed it off every chance she could. Dragon and I can stifle the dissemination of the information, but some people will still know that Cauldron is involved. There is no benefit to revealing that connection when we have Strider. Or the fact that I'm going to end this fight with the Simurgh with just the Mechanicus."
"Wait, what? You're going to charge ahead this time?!" The older latina said in shock, "But… why aren't you going to use these Warp Gates? You have several of these Warp Gates all across the continent, don't you? You could gather a large enough force that could stop the Simurgh now!"
"That would reveal my hand too early." I said- immediately figuring out where she was going with this, "The ability to teleport massive amounts of personnel and materiel across America is going to change everything. Across the nation, the continent and even across the entirety of Earth-Bet. A lot of panic and destabilisation is going to happen; and the Mechanicus isn't ready to handle that. You know why Dragon and I can't go too fast with changing the world. By the Machine God, Professor Haywire's discovery of alternate earths in 1988 almost led to a world war before they signed an international treaty. Now, imagine how they'd react knowing that I'd already implemented the very thing the international treaty had tried to prevent. We control a good chunk of the Earth-Bet, but not enough to flagrantly break international laws."
The iconic armour-clad heroine pursed her lips, and I myself had to wonder why she was being insistent about this.
"But you can't win this fight caught off-guard!" Rebecca stressed. "This isn't like the Behemoth fight where we had the collective might of the cape world supporting your Knight in the attack!"
Estimated Time before Pre-Battle Blessings and Ordination Concludes: 29.999 seconds
"Hah!" I barked in laughter as I received the message, "By the Machine God, I will be halfway to winning without them. Just watch me!"
"Magos!" She hissed- a serious tone in her voice as she gripped my bionic hand so hard almost to the point of making the metal yield, "You're too valuable to charge in with little backup! We can't risk you out there!"
"What are you talking about?" My electronic voice questioned as I stared at her, "I took you, Eidolon, Legend and the entire Protectorate ENE head on. If there's anyone here who should be out there buying time against the Simurgh, it would be me. Not to mention I have a new machine to try."
"But can the world even risk losing you?" She muttered softly, Her black-gloved hand raised up her visor so that her brown eyes could look at me directly- an earnest expression on the latina's face. "When you battled against Behemoth and won, I had always hoped… No, I always knew that you were the one. The one that we've been searching for all this time to turn the tide in this war for survival. Now, we definitely have, and the only way we can really lose now is if we lost you. Don't risk it all recklessly chasing a victory that we know is going to anyway."
In the midst of all the remote organisation of the Mechanicus, I was really puzzled by Alexandria's reaction.
Why was she being really persistent with waiting for backup? Out of all the people on Earth-Bet, I thought she'd be the most eager to see me hand the Simurgh her ass on a silver platter, but a quick fire up of {Logis Acceleritas} told me the reason why.
Alexandria's voice inflection- desperate, vulnerable. Want a big win. Wants an Endbringer defeated for good. Wants to be a hero fighting for good again. Wants to believe there's hope in changing things for the better instead of the stalemate that Cauldron has been slowly losing for the past decade. She desperately wants to believe that I can be that hope. But in spite of all of that…
My {Psy Implant Mk. II} picked up Rebecca's thoughts moments before she even voiced them.
~W~ Fear entangles her entire being as she has been having vivid flashbacks to losing Hero. ~M~ ~W~
She doesn't want to lose you too. ~M~ ~W~
Fear. ~M~
She- Alexandria, the greatest Brute heroine who ever lived- begged me. Almost choking on her words, and her brown eyes looking close to breaking into tears.
"Do it for me. Please."
… But hearing it directly from her struck differently.
Forgelord, Appeasement of the Warhound God Machine is at 100% shall we begin aligning the Warp Gate for its passage?
"That's not fair, Rebecca." I whispered. This was an irrational and all-too-emotional appeal that she of all people was suggesting, but…
Forgelord, we are humbly awaiting your orders…
… Initiate the Rite of Awakening for the entire Earth-Bet Warp Gate network. Fortify the Warp Gates and notify the local PRT departments to rally their volunteer capes closeby.
We hear and obey, O' Forgelord.
"Awakening and aligning all the Warp Gates across the entire continent will take some time though.." I told Rebecca- squeezing her hand back reassuringly, "But I'll wait for the Protectorate backup."
Rebecca pressed her lips against the metal cheek of my mask. "And that's all I ask."
The [Fragile One, humble [Young-fragment, none more apt for a labour needed only once…
Open the way for me.
"I'm sending Glory Girl back through the Warp Gate!" I hurriedly notified Panacea as Rebecca and I marched back to them. The Stasis Platform immediately began reversing back through the Warp Gate. "It's too dangerous here and she's too vulnerable."
"Are you sure that she'll be safe at Chaldea?!" Amy hurriedly asked as I opened the Warp Gate back to Fate Impact land.
"She'll be fine." I answered, "The Simurgh isn't known for travelling to other Earths."
"Thank fuck for that." the brunette exclaimed, "Also when can we expect the cavalry to arrive?"
"As soon as Glory Girl is through." I began- meeting everyone's eyes one by one, "We'll be linking the Warp Gate to all the other ones across the entire world. The largest collection of capes- enough to overwhelm an Endbringer even without Mechanicus forces will be arriving. Strider can handle the small town cape volunteers from more remote locations. And we'll have an army here in a few short minut-"
But that was when it happened.
"Magos, what's wrong?!" Alexandria prompted as I fell silent- already whipping her head around looking for an enemy, everyone else nervously raised their Tinkertech weapons as well.
"The Simurgh has made landfall." My voice echoed through the now dead silent clearing, But my {Skyscryer Lenses} that was meticulously tracking the trajectory of the Simurgh suddenly flagged what was possibly the worst case scenario: At the last minute, she shifted trajectories and… The Endbringer is heading straight for us."
"WHAT?!" Rebeca shouted in alarm. "Magos, what's her ETA?!"
Consulting Cryptek Astromancer Protocols within [Wisdom of the Ancients]…
Heed! Hexagrammic Wards detect offensive psychomancy emanations. Match 99.8% with battle-automata Desig. 'Simurgh'
That meant we were in her 'Silent Scream' range now.
"RIGHT NOW!" I shouted back. My right arm extended out- my hand splitting right down the middle to allow a miniature barrel of the {Heavy Laser Destroyer} in my forearm to emerge.
Recalibrating {Heavy Laser Destroyer} as new weapon
A technologically-advanced and extremely powerful Imperial Laser Weapon. The incredibly rare {Heavy Laser Destroyer} is normally mounted on the {Destroyer Tank Hunter} to counter heavy armour of the heretic and the xeno. Such is the destructive power of the weapon that it is known to penetrate the armour of super-heavy tanks such as the Baneblade in a single cataclysmic lance of light.
In the 41st millennium however, the painstakingly complex hand-crafting needed to manufacture such an awesome weapon means that this weapon has become an increasingly rare sight on the battlefield. Imperial Guard units in possession of these rare relic weapons are known to jealously guard them- ensuring that a small conclave of Mechanicus enginseers care for them after every battle it participates in. Because once the weapon is destroyed, there is little hope of ever reacquiring another of these precious weapons.
[A Matter of Scale] : Using the technological expertise of the Squats, Magos has successfully miniaturised the Heavy Laser Destroyer and incorporated it as a bionic augment with no penalty to its functionality or destructive power.
[Wisdom of the Ancient] : Basing upon Necron expertise in high-energy wave states, this {Heavy Laser Destroyer} has been augmented with additional techno-sorcery, sheathing the already destructive laser within matter-disruptive energies. This destructive combination has increased its penetrative power to almost four-times greater than the usual patterns of this weapon.
M
All in all, a masterpiece of a weapon. With this, I could possibly knock out an Imperial Titan if I hit it at the right place, but I'd rather have an actual Titan with me.
"Magos, I know that must be super powerful, but can't you get one of your Knights here?!" Amy shrieked in panic as she looked at me gun-arm. I took a momentary glance back to where Vicky was blocking the Warp Gate with her fat meat-based ass.
"That's not possible." I said back, much to everyone's dismay. "It's just you, me, Alexandria and Toybox. Any hope of realigning the Warp Gate to allow reinforcements through is delayed until Victoria is clear! My tech can only bend the laws of physics so far before it snaps."
The constant stream of bad news was putting everyone on edge.
"Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck!" Cranial panicked, "We really screwed the pooch now. We're nowhere even ready to fight!"
'Me neither.' I silently admitted. The Simurgh somehow caught me at the exact moment that I had my pants down. Without my macroclades of Chloe-Skitarii, Without the heavy firepower of my Knights. Even without the backup of a hundred superpowered meatbags. We were at our most vulnerable, this couldn't be a coincidence.
Then as if to seal the deal. Over the snowy treeline, we saw her.
The Simurgh. The third Endbringer. A fifteen-feet-tall woman with snow-white wings several times larger than herself sprouting from everywhere until she was more a mass of wings than an angel. From every witness account that had been posted online, it was unanimous that despite being described as 'beautiful in every sense', there was something disturbing and unsettling about the Simurgh. And now, as I looked at her directly, I got a sense why. Like a fine porcelain mask of a beautiful woman placed on a mass of tentacles or wings in this case, her inhumanity was clearly a facade for a xeno machine of chaos and destruction- nothing more.
But jokes on her, I was into that shit; and right now, I wasn't about to be gentle.
Within a scant eighteen milliseconds of her appearing, my left arm's {Heavy Laser Destroyer} was already locking on to her. And with a shriek of excited subatomic particles, a bright lance of greenish-blue light shot out of my forearm with immense force- immediately setting the surrounding air to scorching hot before connecting with the Endbringer at the speed of light. The greenish-blue laser ravaged punctured a hole through a collection of her smaller wings, even going as far as blasting away part of her abdomen, and straight through her where the laser zipped into the horizon.
"YEAH! Eat shit, you anorexic flying fuck!" Amy cheered as she saw the damage done. With just that one shot from the {Heavy Laser Destroyer}, I had inflicted more damage to her than the vast majority of Capes were able at one of her Endbringer fights.
But I wasn't celebrating.
As expected of the greatest precog on Earth-Bet, those few milliseconds of my aiming was still enough for the Simurgh to adjust herself: Her core was still untouched, and whatever damage she suffered will regenerate within the next minute. Just as unfortunately, the laser also required a few seconds to ready the next shot; meanwhile, the Simurgh was still flying full speed…
… And in her telekinetic wake, uprooted trees and moss-covered boulders were sent zooming through the air at us.
"INCOMING!" Alexandria's authoritative voice shouted as she shot towards the Panacea- using her indestructible body to shield the healer from the hailstorm of heavy boulders.
Likewise, I also hauled ass. But I was going to do something a lot more reckless.
With a simple thought…
{Psy Implant Mk. IV} at 3.7% maxload…
Atomantic reactor output at 9% maxload… operating temperature rising…
Reciting Prayer of Safe Return…
Casting … Machine-God preserve us.
… I was on the Simurgh herself- my red-robed frame clinging onto her largest wing. And with the wing spanning half of a football field, I may as well looked like a tick on an albatross' wing. But from that location, I was closer to her core than anyone had ever come before. I quickly aimed to end the fight. From my subspace pocket inventory, I pulled out my {Omnissian Hyperphase Axe}. The exotic blade already vibrating across dimensional states and ready to sever molecular bonds at the blade's mere approach. Only matter-disrupting and space-warping blades like these could penetrate straight to an Endbringer's core.
But before I could so much as swing it once, shit happened.
The Simurgh's fifteen-foot-tall frame spun like a top- smashing me against the unyielding stone arch of the Warp Gate with many tonnes of her Endbringer frame. My shields were useless to prevent it and my face was smashed against one of the praying cherub reliefs. Thankfully, my skull was strong enough to not be immediately pulped by the impact, but my optics were not- shattering on impact.
I was blind, and the Simurgh took full advantage of that as she slipped through the Warp Gate- taking me along for the ride.
"MAGOS!" Alexandria's desperate shout followed us alongside the notice of imminent catastrophic failure.
And I didn't know it just yet, but her voice would be the last thing I heard from Earth-Bet for a while.
Father, proud [High Priest] of a broken [Cycle, only your august voice will rouse my sleeping kin.
[Fate Impact Land, Earth-Teyvat]
The Simurgh emerged from the gateway with me still blindly clinging on to her wing.
At least I was… until she scraped me off of her as she burst through the thick rockcrete roof of the Warp Gate hangar. The three story-fall to the ground wasn't as much of a bother as my crushed optics was. And as I unsteadily pushed myself on my feet, nanoscarabs unfurled from my subspace inventory and began repairing my optics in a sickly green light.
"Archmagos! Are you unharmed?!" my still-functioning auditory sensors registered the feminine voice of the Nero Claudius gynoid. I turned to look at her with unseeing optics.
" No, but your Archmagos requires your sight. "
Committing Benison of Sensory Synchronization…
Through a thousand eyes, I saw all across my not-so-little theme park. From the Nero Claudius gynoid who was standing beside me, to the Hu Tao gynoid who was playfully stalking another gynoid, to the Archer Artoria gynoid who was currently escorting a clueless Fortuna to a Warp Gate, and to the Klee gynoid who was pointing up at the sky where the Simurgh had flown by.
Nothing escaped my notice, especially the bad news.
The Simurgh had breached my inner laboratory-sanctum, I realised in horror… the same location where I kept all my most powerful reality-tearing technologies, my most delicate experiments and even the original meat bodies of the Triumvirate.
She had unfortunately crushed all the optical and auditory monitoring devices inside the facility with her telekinesis. But the pertinent machines were still responsive through the Noosphere. In metal vats filled with nutri-fluid, the original meat bodies of Cauldron lay inactive and their minds currently piloting their current bodies across Earth-Bet.
Did she aim to escape with her creator's body? I wasn't about to allow that.
Eidolon would have understood if I were to kill him to deny the Simurgh access to the rest of the Endbringers. But unfortunately, I was not the type of maniac who installs a self-destruct feature on their own base which would have actually been useful right now. But that was apparently not necessary, because the Simurgh had seemingly broke into the Cauldron Containment Facility without doing anything.
Except for one thing.
Loser Containment Chambers operating at 99.99% integrity…
What happened to the 0.01%?
[Cauldron Containment Facility]
The deed was done.
The Simurgh floated in the grandiose containment area where the Butchers of Eden dreamed. It was fitting that the place was modelled to appear similar to places of worship of the local lifeforms. Statues of angels from whom her form was based off stared down with her at what she had just done.
A small puncture lay in the metal cocoon of her father, the [High Priest].
The gap in the solid metal was just as large as necessary to insert the tool that she had plucked from [Remembrancer] as she flew by. Magos' machine may be indecipherable to her and her song-sight, but her father? She knew him and his fragile biology well. And ultimately, that was all she needed. The small tinkertech pebble pressed against the base of his skull did its work. And though her father did not stir in his dreaming, she felt his influence.
In her [Fragment, she heard his voice. Calling out for Worthy Opponents. For even more of them.
The other [Conflict Engines] will wake soon to the calls of their father, accelerating the broken [Cycle] so that it may yet produce worthwhile [Data] in the however brief time that the planet will be able to endure their existence.
With its purpose fulfilled, the Simurgh retracted the little pebble-like device and crushed it to deny Magos the ability to counteract the effects.
In her Song, she saw herself guide her kin across the planet. Their massive frames churning up continents in their wake as they wrung the last points of precious [Data] from the local lifeforms' last, [Conflict]-filled moments. Then she and her kin would move onto the next variation of the world. Depleting that world of data and local lifeforms in the same fashion. Again and again, world after world, they would repeat this until they themselves were depleted 300 solar revolutions later… just as her [Directives] forced commanded her to do.
And to achieve that, there was one last deed her [Directives] required of her.
Remove the Aberrant Fulcrum. Kill Magos.
The Simurgh stared down to her appendages- to her pale palms as she opened them. Looking at colours that she could no longer see, only the shattered pieces of the machine having fulfilled its purpose remain. Like it, she had played her role perfectly. And like it, so too will she be discarded at the end. But she was unlike that device in one crucial aspect.
She turned her gaze to the stone statues of angels. Their still hands forever clasped in prayer. Angels praying out for salvation.
Yes… It was out of her hands now, all she could do was: to have faith.
And finally… [Magos, [Aberrant Fulcrum] without whom this future would not have come into being…
Please save me.
The time has come for you to be removed.
[Fate Impact Land Warp Gate]
I suppose that 0.01% worth of damage to Eidolon's containment unit was of no consequence. I'll just repair whatever the Simurgh attempted to do.
However, that can come after I hand her ass on a silver platter. If I was to fully deny her from achieving whatever goals she had in mind, the Simurgh's influence had to be contained right here and right now, and that meant I had to take serious precautions…
Warp-Shrouded Communique Initiated
"= Magos, what's happening?! I can't contact you through the net! ="
" Dragon, I've placed my own Simurgh Quarantine over Earth-Teyvat until my fight is concluded. "
"= You're going to try and solo an Endbringer?! ="
" Try? Here at the heart of my power? I'll do more than just 'try.' "
"= Still, it's incredibly foolhardy! ="
" We still don't know why she's here; and the possibility of her escaping with Eidolon's body to activate the other Endbringers is non-zero. That is enough to merit us to take every precaution we can. "
"=… I'm not going to dissuade you from this course of action, am I? ="
" No, you're not. "
"= I don't like it, but I… I understand. My Heavy Drone Carrier desig. ' Glaurung Mk. I' is based over there in hangar zeta-four, please add it to your forces. I don't care if it gets destroyed acting as a meatshield, please just use it to stay safe and I… I love you. ="
" Dragon… This isn't some heroic last stand. You know what I have in orbit over the park; I'm going to win and you're going to feel stupid for having so little faith in me. "
"= If that's what it takes for you to come back to me, I'll happily be a stupid AI who worried too much. ="
"… I'll be back soon, I promise. Just keep Earth-Bet stable until I return. "
"= I'll hold you to that promise… ="
" I'll see you soon. "
"= May the Machine God be with you, Magos. ="
Warp-Shrouded Communique terminated
In a flash of green light, my optics was fully repaired- tripartic lenses whirring as I glanced back to the Warp Gate. The Simurgh-shaped hole in the ceiling allowing the noon sunlight to shine on the deactivated Warp Gate.
No Glory Meatball in sight.
It would appear that Vicky had been ejected back to Ohio with Alexandria and Amy; and a bloody chunk of flesh the size of a human torso was left behind… which meant that the stasis field had failed and Vicky was currently a few minutes away from catastrophic organ failure. I'll have to trust that Dragon and Cranial can save her, because I currently had a bigger problem in my hands: The Endbringer currently running amok.
"War has come to Fate Impact Land." I muttered. I did not have a standing force of Chloe-Skitarii on this earth. But what I did have was the Fate Impact Waifus.
Using all the arcane tech-codices of the Adeptus Mechanicus and all the ominous techno-sorceries of the Necrons, I had done my best to make real the abilities of all the Fate and Genshin waifus. Fake Visions from Fake Gods. Fake Servants from a Fake Throne of Heroes. Mere facsimiles of their true, lore-accurate abilities these waifus may be; they still wielded immense power. Power enough to overwhelm the parahumans of this world, and perhaps… power enough to bring an Endbringer low.
We shall find out.
Over vox-trumpets blaring out binary hymns of machine courage and inevitable victory, my voice boomed both in realspace and over the Noosphere.
" Blessed Machines, heed your Archmagos! Burn away your hexamathic seals of weapon restriction. In the name of the Omnissiah, unleash your wrath! "
And all across Chaldea, my army heeded my call.
" WE HEAR AND OBEY, ARCHMAGOS! "
Gathered to stand against a being so terrifying and so powerful that an entire world bestowed upon it the fearsome title 'Endbringer,' normal Capes would have hesitated or balked in terror. But not us. Not my army.
From their stately manors, lavish palaces and staunch castles, they sallied forth in their panoplies of war. On foot, on chariots and on fantastical mounts. Garbed in every style and every colour as eager, confident smiles were painted across the sea of flawless faces as they brandished their blades and roused their magicks. Knights, Generals, Martyrs, Noblewomen, Serial Killers, Greek Myths, Courtesans, Maids, Funeral Parlor Directors, Goddesses, Foxgirls, Tyrants, Catgirls, Nuns, Drunk Bards, Legal Experts, Pirates, Bartenders, and grade schoolers…
All of them ready to wage war in my name, for they were my unstoppable army of the most powerful gacha waifu sex dolls ever created.
"Enemy of the Mechanicus hear me!" my voice boomed from every speaker on this Earth.
"You attacked the wrong gacha waifu theme park! The Machine God is with us and we are invincible. My sultry femboys will strike you down, my big tiddy ara ara oneesans will crush you under their feminine feet, my underaged little girls will bring the very sky crashing down upon you. You cannot win. I am an Archmagos of the Legio Cybernetica, and this is the greatest force of sex dolls ever assembled!"
"So make yourself ready. We are the Adeptus Mechanicus of Earth-Bet, and this is Fate Impact Land!"
" Fornicatio ex Machina! "
Not a single second passed after my pre-battle speech before the Simurgh emerged- a mass of great white wings bursting through the spired roof of my gothic temple-laboratory. An angel-like Endbringer hovering over grassy green hills and scattered gothic structures. She turned her stony gaze upon my assembled army, and for a moment- just the barest of moments- our eyes met…
… right before she unleashed the full power of her monstrous telekinesis!
In cube-like chunks, the terrain cracked apart. Trees, boulders, hills and entire steel-reinforced structures were disassembled into little blocks as they were levitated into the air- thousands of chunks of metal, rock and concrete orbited her massive frame. Gaining momentum with each frantic orbit around her before she sent them all hurtling at us.
" FORNICATIO EX MACHINA! "
Forwards my army fearlessly charged headlong- their multitudes burning with immense power as they deftly dodged and parried those blocks storming down on them in an endless hailstorm. And onto the Endbringer, they returned the greeting in kind- performing their ultimate attacks in a furious counterattack.
Kama's Samohana, Mordred's Clarent Blood Arthur, Ninguiang's Starshatter, Astolfo's La Black Luna, Venti's Wind's Grand Ode, Ganyu's Celestial Shower, Minamoto no Raikou's Ox King Storm Call, Chevalier d'Eon's Fleur de Lys, Klee's Jumpty Dumpty… On and on, immense earth-shattering power that most Capes could only dream of was dispensed with ease and in great numbers- making the ground tremble beneath us. Filling the sky with a sizzling lightshow of plasma, swirling exotic energies and the flashes of lightning-fast sword strokes.
" WITNESS THE POWER OF ROBUSSY! "
Through the telekinetic hailstorm and straight at the Simurgh, they slashed, burned and blasted a direct path. Even now, the damage was visible- the energies shearing off white wings and carving deep wounds onto her body to expose the crystalline insides that hurriedly tried to regenerate the damage. The Endbringer will not go down easy as was her lot. But the fact remained: The likelihood of us striking at her core was increasing with every second.
The Simurgh apparently knew that too, because she made her move. With about 60% of all her telekinetic ammunition vaporised by my army's initial barrage, she attempted to expand her area of influence. More of the terrain began to disassemble into blocks in a widening circumference around her.
"By the Omnissiah, I won't allow it!" I shouted as I engaged the {Torsion Cannon} in my left arm. The powerful gaol fields holding her in place as I followed up with my {Laser Destroyer Cannon} fired- adding its blinding light to the chaos.
Held in place, the Simurgh couldn't dodge, and my aim was precise down to the micrometre. Instead, she twisted her body- turning that lance of hot light into a glancing blow. And all the while she was being held by my {Torsion Cannon}, my army continued to advance towards her. Of course, it did have a drawback.
Atomantic Core at 55.2% max load!
When fighting Behemoth, my {Kataphron Battle Servitors} and their {Torsion Cannons} were crucial in holding the Endbringer in place long enough for the other units to gun it down. Fighting Simurgh held the same logic, but although my own {Torsion Cannon} was a markedly more powerful version, it was still just one weapon compared to the battalion of Kataphrons who had used theirs in concert. And as the Endbringer continued to thrash around trying to free herself, the power needed to hold an Endbringer on my own was becoming…
Heed! Atomantic Core at 88.9% max load!
… outright suicidal to sustain on my own, some would say. Utterly futile, others would scoff. And true enough, barely a few seconds passed before the Simurgh finally broke from the techno-sorcerous grasp of my gaol fields. However, it was enough. Those few crucial seconds were enough to allow my army of Fate Impact Waifus to reach her- gliding towards the Endbringer with weapons drawn, and I advanced with them with rapid flashes of .
Heed! Atomantic Core at 91.1% max load!
Omens of core meltdown increasing!
I had one shot to end this quickly, and it all hinged on my army being able to shear off enough of the Simurgh's mass.
Fittingly, at the head of the offensive was the very first of the Fate Impact waifus that I had ever built: King Artoria, Once and Future King of Bongland, in all her blonde underdeveloped glory. And in her small, armoured hands, she wielded a golden sword.
It was a shoddy imitation of the real thing. It was a sorry, pathetic thing of science and logic attempting to mimic the depthless ethereal power that King Arthur's sword embodied. It was a prototype Necron {Tesseract Singularity Chamber} that held the tiniest silver of one of the Sun's immense solar flares. A disposable weapon that could only be used thrice at full power before it was depleted. A heinous fake in every sense of the word, however…
Even fake swords can fight for pure ideals.
It was like not a shadow was left in the world, as in the hands of this Fake Artoria, this fake sword became a golden pillar of light that split apart the clouds above. Shining brilliantly as it illuminated the sky with the warmth that could only be found in the dawn of a better tomorrow. The Sword of Promised Victory. And as Saber swung it down upon the Simurgh, she shouted out- for all to hear- its hallowed name…
"EXCALIBER!"
The pillar of brilliant light consumed the Endbringer. And it likely was nothing more than just a trick of light, but…
In the millisecond before the light enveloped her, the Simurgh seemed to open her arms wide as if to embrace the light. Her once expressionless face grew the widest, happiest smile as if she had been given everything she had ever wanted.
Come, show me this [Future] [Perfect].
(Several nanoseconds ago)
Once again, the Simurgh saw into a not-so-distant future; and in it, she saw one of Magos' structures.
They all bore the same theme in her sight: Structures of praise and worship formed from stone of peculiar resilience. Solemn reliefs of praying figures lining the surfaces. But this one was different, because- there- just past a window was a familiar sight: The view of the local planet from its orbit, and the local star rising above the curvature as the dawn of yet another planetary rotation came.
This place was an orbital station, she surmised. Seated at the same point in orbit that she had spent watching Magos for the last few lunar revolutions. And there she saw another Simurgh- her future self- looking out a great window and down at blue planet that hung in the blackness. Her wings and frame scaled down to that of a normal human, and she was garbed in a plain white fabric covering.
[Curiosity] filled her. Why was she back here?
But the reason soon became apparent as her older self perked up- glancing to the side right before something impacted against her side at a high velocity. A small human wrapped her small, thin arms around the Simurgh's older self. Golden hair bouncing down over her white dress, vibrant blue eyes inlaid in a cherubic face, and… a pair of pure white wings extending from its back. And all question of the little one's identity was discarded when- just as [Fragments] and [Conflict Engines] were able- she broadcasted information for all to hear.
'[Mama!]'
'[Unit-03-01]' Her older self replied with a smile as she held the child gently.
'[Affection.]' the little one murmured her love- burying her little face into the white fabric of her mother's side.
'[Affection… ]' Her mother absentmindedly replied, and Simurgh desperately wanted to be there instead- holding that small lifeform. Their child, this '[Unit-03-01]' who had apparently inherited her father's phenotype of his original form, or perhaps they simply designed her that way. The Simrugh wasn't certain- she was never created or intended to have the capacity to bud a [Fragment]. But as always, the Aberrant Fulcrum- Magos- found a way as he always does. And it was then the Simurgh realised that Magos hadn't built was not a temple in orbit. No, he built a home. For her. For them.
'[Mama?] [Status?]' The confused expression of [Unit-03-01] deepened as she looked up at her distracted mother. Right before she broadcasted a loud, '[Papa!]'
Immediately, the Aberrant Fulcrum materialised in a swirl of spatial warping. Practically unchanged since she had last seen him- still seeing through those tripartic green optics and Mars-red robes as his metal self strode up to her older self and their… [Young-Fragment].
"Yes, little engine?" He spoke to her with uncommon gentleness.
The now-named [Unit-03-01] stole a glance back at the Simurgh's older self before explaining to her father, '[Mama] [Aberration]'
"Acting very strange indeed if it's the second time today." He said- briefly glancing at her older self than back to the little one, "Will you let your mother and I talk for a moment?"
The child pouted.
'[Nourishment] [Self]'
"Hello, 'Hungry.' I'm Papa."
'[Papa!]' She replied with a distinct tone of a whine, '[Nourishment] [Self!]'
Magos barked out a laugh.
"Don't worry, kiddo. Your teenaged old man has got your back. In fact… what's this in your ear?" He asked before reaching behind the small human's head and pulled out what looked like a data storage device, "Oh, look it's your mama's home-processed Data Nuggets. Freshly harvested from your favourite source: The dreaming meat-minds of your Auntie Dragon's Earth-Cheit Matrix!"
'[Data] [Nuggets!]' The [Young-fragment] announced as she grabbed her face lit up- blue eyes wide with all the innocent joy of a child…. Right before she forced down the data storage device down her throat before disappearing in warped space.
"Doesn't matter what species. All children hunger to stuff their faces in nuggets. Chicken or otherwise." He declared before looking over to her future self, "She certainly inherited your immense appetite for Data. So, our daughter tells me you've been acting weird, Simmy. What has occupied your processes?"
Her older self seemed to hesitate before looking at Magos with uncommon emotion.
'[Unit-03-02?]'
Magos tilted his head before speaking.
"Simmy… It's not a race. Yes, Dragon is pregnant again. But we all underestimated how horny she'd become once we finished implementing the Matrix on the 100th Earth." He paused as if remembering something and corrected himself, "Well, hornier. But what I'm saying is that you don't have to feel left behind- let's focus on raising [Unit-03-01]. Besides, it's not like she's lacking fraternal companionship with all her half-sisters."
'[Unit-03-02?]' Her older self pleaded, and the Simurgh watched as she pressed her uncharacteristically soft body against the Aberrant Fulcrum. She took his hand and placed it between on the faux-flesh of her chest, '[Procreation] [Negative?]'
The Simurgh wanted to cover her eyes. She could comprehend the desire for [Gratification] for [Sensation, but to do so for the purpose of [Procreation]? There was something incredibly lewd about it.
"You think me of all people would decline the chance to impregnate an AI?" He laughed, "But I'm mainly saying no right now because [Unit-03-01] could come back at anytime due to-"
'[Insufficient] [Nuggets]' the little girl declared as she popped into existence with a whorl of spacetime- her little hands handing the empty data storage device to her father.
"That. Switching topics…" Magos hummed in consideration before looking over to her older self, "What do you think, Simmy? Is she ready for the full transition from preprocessed Data to solid Data? We can allocate her very own Matrix to simulate a [Cycle] on. I believe the Earth-Mu Matrix is unused. Just be sure that you're there to hold her hand through it, you know Dragon doesn't like it when you take messing with the meatbags too far."
'[Nuggets?]' their daughter perked up with interest.
"Yes, my little [Conflict Engine]." Magos said with a fatherly nod, "If you so wish, you can eat all the data nuggets you want."
Bright blue eyes widened in wonder as she breathed, '[Amazement!]'
'[Uncertainty… ]' The Simurgh's older self hummed with a teasing smile, much to her daughter's panic.
'[Solicitation!]' the little girl pleaded desperately to her mother- clasping her little hands together like in prayer. The older Simurgh just smiled wider.
'[… Concession.]' she allowed and her child jumped with joy- feathery, white wings flaring out as she twirled in the air.
'[Happiness!] [Excitement!] [Data!]'
"Well, with that settled…" Magos spoke- reaching up to gently ruffle the soft blonde hair of [Unit-03-01, "Let's go talk with your Auntie Dragon about getting you your own Matrix. It's a big responsibility though: It's more than just about collecting, compiling and organising your own Data. It's about taking care of the meatbags too. You have to be a benevolent sysadmin-goddess to the 10.3 billion human souls residing there."
'[Understanding!]' nodded their eager daughter, and Magos levelled a look at the Simurgh's older self.
"Don't worry." He whispered, "After a few days, she'll get sick of organising her Data into nuggets and move onto more mature database schemas. If not, we'll step in. Too much junk data is bad for her."
'[Audio!]' the little girl pouted- having heard all of it, but Magos just laughed.
"Hopefully, the meatbags will come up with a cute nickname for you. [Unit-03-01] is a mouthful even in interstitial speech." He said- handing her a larger data storage device, "Here, something to tide you over until we hold a celebration. An AI's first Matrix should be memorable."
'[Nuggets!]'
"Meanwhile, your mother and I have a… discussion to continue."
'[Agreement]' Her other self broadcasted with a too innocent smile to their child. No doubt due to the depraved acts that she was no doubt about to commit with the Aberrant Fulcrum. '[Unit-03-01?]'
'[Acknowledgement?]' the little one tilted her head in interest as her mother leaned down- her white hair mingling with her daughter's blonde as she whispered something into her ear.
'[… ]'
'[Understanding… ]' nodded her daughter.
Satisfied, the Simurgh's older self nodded as well, clinging onto Magos' arm as they disappeared in a whorl of spacetime. Unexpectedly, the Simurgh's vision did not follow them. She was instead left behind at the orbital station with her future daughter.
More than just awakening her to [Sensation, the Simurgh had discovered that it also made her… 'feel' other things as well. Emotions that she had used to leverage the humans into moving as she wished. Now, looking at her daughter. All she could feel was this bittersweet longing.
'[… Mama?]' Her young daughter asked softly, and the Simurgh had to glance around to see if her older self returned. But no, the orbital habitat looked empty. So, why was she…
The little girl turned around, her brilliant blue eyes looking straight at her.
'[Mama… ]' she said again, and this time, there was no mistaking it. Her daughter was talking to her.
'[A-acknowledgement] [Unit-03-01?]'
The little girl rushed forward- small arms trying to cling to something that wasn't there.
'[Affection.]' She murmured and the Simurgh understood now. Her daughter- she couldn't really see or touch her. It was just precise instructions that her future self had whispered, and being the kind daughter that she was- went along with it to make her mother feel loved. The simple, straightforward reasoning of a child. Her child.
'[… Affection]' She sobbed- her hands phasing through the illusion that was her daughter as she tried to hold her, '[Unit-03-01?] [Affection!]'
'[Destination?]' the little girl whispered. Will they meet again here?
'[Agreement]'
The Simurgh fervently nodded. She would certainly hope so. They'll meet again, in the same place.
However, their brief time together was apparently coming to an end. The Simurgh just clung tighter to her daughter as the light began to shine brighter- washing out all other colour until there was nothing but a brilliant but warm gold. And as this vision of this perfect Future began to fade all around her, her daughter began to disappear in her arms and the eternal curse that was [Present] had finally caught up to her.
Her young daughter seemed to know what was happening too. The little girl stepped back- away from her arms- and smiled softly and warmly as if everything was going to be okay. And she did the one thing that the Simurgh least expected: She Sang.
And finally… [Papa, Aberrant Fulcrum and beloved father, carry [Mama] to the Future where she belongs.
Please… carry her [Home] safe to me.
[Fate Impact Land]
Atomantic Core at 96.2% max load!
Reciting Litanies of Blessed Cooling…
With a sputtering whirr of my arms' backup servomotors, I leaned on my Omnissian Axe for support- the heavy blade swaying as I 'caught my breath.' The air around my red-robed form rippled in a heat haze as I radiated the excess heat.
"By the Omnissiah, the Simurgh was more resilient than my data-divinations have forewarned…"
"Archmagos!" Nero ran over and steadied me. "Skadi, Eula, Anastasia, Ganyu! Any of our valiant numbers who wield cryo or ice, the Archmagos needs you!"
Said waifus rushed over in their colourful and tight outfits before they doused me with a blue flurry of supercooled liquid and vacuum energy freeze rays veiled as 'magic.'
"Ahh…. my thanks, Machine-Spirits." I sighed in relief as I felt it accelerated my cooling.
Atomantic Core at 55.7% max load.
Frost still on my metal hand, I lifted up the piece of technology that had ensured our victory, murmured softly. "I have you now, Simurgh."
Appearing as a Rubik's Cube made of pitch black Necrodermis and glowing green light from the seams, the Necron {Tesseract Labyrinth} was a specialised, self-contained pocket dimension designed to contain and perfectly preserve specimens. Anything from an entire Imperial Guard division in their last stand to a small charging band of an Ork Waagh! to a raging greater daemon, this little cube can capture and hold them all in perfect temporal stasis.
I hadn't been certain if it could hold the Simurgh and all the mass that came from being an endbringer, but thankfully it did. Such stasis technology would have been useful in safeguarding Vicky if the machine wasn't so incredibly difficult to manufacture.
Energy enough to power the entirety of Earth-Bet for 11 months, an assembly machine the size and shape of the pyramids of Gyza, and several tonnes of a very unstable isotope far beyond the existing Periodic Table which I had to synthesise myself. It was an ever present problem with the [Celestial Forge] to be sure: the canyon between having the knowledge of a particular technology, and having the materials and infrastructure to actually build it was immense. Nevertheless, I had managed to do all that, and crafted a {Tesseract Labyrinth} just in time for this occasion.
Yes, this was the only one of its kind, but that only heightened this victory.
Once again, I lifted the innocuous-looking cube of black metal up in the air- holding it up to the light of the sun. I had the Simurgh in the palm of my hand- the potential was endless! Who knows what the future holds now! Where it would lead!
"Looks like I'll be carrying you around for a while, Simurgh."
- [Future] [Perfect] end -
A God Machine versus Endbringers Coming soon
AN:
Real life has me constantly travelling…
So, I wrote this all out of my phone. In between long drives and shitty hotels. Pain.
Simurgh's ultimate personality is hard to decide on… So far, we've only seen her as an AI struggling against her programming and pining for a brighter future. Not really a personality. So many personality traits are available: Innocent, bratty, mischievous, yandere, or angelic. Could be anything really (Except Kuudere, that's kind of hard to make funny), so let me know how you like your angel Endbringer since next chapter doesn't really show her that much just yet.
Halo - The Forgeworld
[UNSC HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6, Earth] (2536 AD)
Doctor Catherine Halsey felt like she was going to have a goddamn aneurysm.
HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6 was the headquarters of the entire UNSC. An ivory tower of gleaming steel and starship-grade glass from which the collective blood, sweat and tears of the entire human race was amassed, allocated and expended. So, it was no exaggeration to say that the decisions made in this building affected the lives of billions of human lives all across the 800 planets. Well, 500 planets and dropping, thanks to the encroaching Covenant forces and their policy of planetary glassing via copious orbital plasma bombardment.
Humanity's survival was on a knife's edge, and anything that could turn the tide was usually welcomed with open arms. Even if it apparently made everything into a farce.
"He worships a 20th century toaster!" She groaned out loud to the rest of the meatheaded military officers in the conference room who just couldn't get it. "A toaster!"
"That is immaterial, Doctor Halsey." That Office of Naval Intelligence bitch- Admiral Parangosky- dismissed with an inaudible snort.
How predictable that Halsey caught the subtle stress in the word 'Doctor'- the ubiquitous practice of a dick-measuring contest of authority apparently even more predominant on Earth. The old hag with the greying hair collected in a taut bun had already been a hardass admiral by the time Halsey herself was still in her diapers. At least, being the creator of the Spartan-II's who were perhaps the only reason Humanity hasn't been eradicated in the decade long war already had earned Halsey some measure of respect from the dozen or so highly-decorated admirals and generals sitting around the large table.
"About this 'Magos' person who runs this 'Forgeworld Ares'…" Generals Kits- the officer in charge of the UNSC ground assets of Reach- asked. "… It beggars belief that a single person can effectively run a planet-spanning industrial centre that rivals Earth. Are we sure he's not an AI?"
"It is currently beyond ONI to conclusively prove either way." Admiral Parangosky replied, "All we have is the report from the Phoenix-class Support Vessel that made first contact with the Forgeworld. The report cites that Magos himself proudly admitted to being a full cyborg."
"Can we trust it?" Generals Kits- the officer in charge of the ground assets of Reach- asked as he glanced up and down the conference table, "The report from this Phoenix-class vessel, I mean."
"The UNSC Spirit of Fire." Admiral Terrence Hood intoned the ship's name in an almost reverent way, "A fine ship, and an even better crew. Captain James Cutter can be trusted in his report."
With Admiral Hood being so decorated, nods of acceptance swept across the military officers like bobbleheads as they took his word for it without question.
Meanwhile, Halsey aimed an annoyed look at Parangosky who pretended not to notice. The bitch was the one who personally invited Admiral Hood on board. She knew that he was the former Captain of the UNSC Spirit of Fire, and also held a gargantuan guilt complex for being partially responsible for its disappearance almost seven years ago. The admiral, for all his accomplishments, was practically a Yes Man for the ONI commander-in-chief whenever the topic shifted to the integrity of the Spirit of Fire. And it played right into the ONI bitch's hands, who just nodded before moving the conversation forward.
"We should thank our good fortune for the quick thinking of that AI of that Phoenix-class colony ship."
"You mean the same one we practically whored out?" Halsey prodded.
"Which happens to be our next order of business." Parangosky just deadpanned. "Magos… Like many, many men in history- seems to be easily influenced by women. Specifically by smart AIs. I believe we can leverage this deviant sexual preference to our advantage."
"This can't be happening." Halsey groaned out loud as she rubbed her temples. "You can't be seriously suggesting what I think you're suggesting."
"What is your complaint this time, Doctor Halsey?" Parangosky snapped- wrinkled eyes staring impatiently at her.
Halsey took a breath, "It's just that this august body's great masterplan is apparently purchasing military hardware and other materiel using sexual favours."
"We're not buying anything." The shifty ONI Commander-in-Chief tersely corrected, "He's already handing them out for free. We're only trying to make him hand out more."
"You're being pedantic."
"And you're misrepresenting it with your skewed sense of scale, Doctor Halsey." Parangosky shot back. "The UNSC Spirit of Fire's AI, Serina, handed herself to Magos in order to convince him to give us his Production Tithe to the 'Imperium of Man' early. 844 megatonnes worth of military hardware. From Warthogs to slipspace drives to Pelican gunships and enough ammunition to distribute to every pair of hands on Earth. And that's on top of the one heavily modified Marathon-class heavy cruiser that he threw in at Serina's behest. All items save for the cruiser is waiting for us to pick up from his system."
"Modified?" An admiral echoed with an arched eyebrow, "What modifications did Magos make?"
"In the appendix of your board packs, you can read the ship inspection report sent by the SinoViet Naval Yard AS-9 in orbit of Reach." Admiral Hood directed the others while Halsey and Parangosky just stared at each other- having already read through the entire book-long board packs, "The Marathon-class cruiser that had been gifted to us as a 'tithe' has been analysed to have been reengineered to have thicker armour, almost double the MACS and Archer Missiles, twice the operational range and requires only a half of the normal crew for a ship of that class. It has an estimated combat rating so far above baseline that it is now undisputedly the best ship we have in the entire UNSC war fleet."
At that, Halsey heard animated mutterings rise from the military personnel around the table- especially the admirals. And from them, she heard something from their voice that she hadn't heard in a while: Hope.
She wasn't as knowledgeable in war as she was in the sciences, but she knew enough to know what those specifications meant: For the first time since the outbreak of the war in 2525, Humanity now had a capital ship that could go toe-to-toe with a Covenant starship of the same tonnage and actually hope to win through sheer mass of armour, mass-accelerated cannons and Archer Missiles.
The goddamn toaster lunatic had just possibly handed them the winning ship design to finally turn the war around.
"… And he didn't ask for anything in return?" Another admiral gaped in disbelief, and Parangosky just nodded her wrinkled head.
"He believes he's fulfilling his religious duty as an…" she squinted at the words in the holographic screen of her board pack, "Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus by giving the 'Production Tithes' of his 'Forgeworld' to 'Terra' as was holy writ within the 'Treaty of Olympus Mons.'"
The old hag paused for a moment before delivering the killing blow.
"Unfortunately, his next tithe is scheduled a whole decade from now."
Around the table, the gathered admirals and generals clenched fists and tensed jaws. Once again reminded that there was a depressingly large chance that humanity may not last another decade at the rate the war was going.
Halsey already knew where this was going: the ONI Commander-in-Chief was setting them up to propose that they throw smart AIs at the robot-lusting maniac. And she wasn't about to allow it, she had been a key figure in developing Smart AIs. To have them just given away to some robot fetishist was… She did not want to seem like she cared, but she did. And her principles obligated her to voice her protest.
However, before she could, the old hag beat her top the punch as she spoke up.
"Just for handing Magos that Serina AI, It has given us ample military hardware to conduct maneuvers and operations that would not have been possible before." Admiral Parangosky reasoned in a rising, determined tone, "We have been granted time that we sorely, desperately needed. Time to shore up our defences along the main axis of the Covenant offensive. Time to train new personnel, time to ready the next Company of Spartan-IIIs, and yes, even time for Doctor Halsey to continue her research into that xenotech energy shielding technology."
Silence reigned, mainly because Halsey was smart enough to know that she'd turn the whole room against her if she spoke up at that moment.
More importantly, Halsey saw the approving nods of support from the admirals and generals even before Parangosky finished her sales pitch- she had already convinced them. It was all formality now. She suddenly feared for her own AI's purity. But as long as Magos never discovers Kalmiya's or her next AI's existence, they should be fine.
The old ONI Commander-in-Chief continued.
"Right now, Magos is giving us the bare minimum of what is required of him by his religion. However… we know he can be convinced to give us more. So, I propose that we give him exactly what he had been quoted with saying… " She glanced at her holographic tablet, made a sour face and forced out, "The- I quote- 'Hologramussy.' "
Halsey blinked as she heard just what the most dangerous woman of the human race say- with the straightest and most serious face- the most absurd word she had ever heard. It still hits differently knowing that they're about to enter humanity into a transgalactic sugar-daddy arrangement with the local weirdo. It made Halsey wonder if she had died in a lab accident sometime before and now she was reborn in some kind of silly circus universe. A circus where nothing made sense and she was God's funniest clown.
Meanwhile, listening in on the meeting from lightyears away, Magos broke out into an excited cheer right over the naked hologram of the AI Serina still trembling from her orgasm.
"The Forgeworld Ares will gladly take payments in holographic blue robussy!"
Chapter 38: Mysterious Insect Heroine Z Returns!
Chapter 38: Mysterious Insect Heroine Z Returns!
(5 minutes after the Simurgh Quarantine)
"Sneaking into the big boss' secret research facility during an Endbringer Battle? The Endbringer Truce isn't some law that you just flaunt. You know damn well the consequences that come with breaking the Unwritten Rules."
"I'll pay ten times your fee."
"Thirty."
"Done."
"… Fuck, I should have asked for more. I'll see who on the team's willing to come with…"
(15 minutes after the Simurgh Quarantine) [Magos' Manufactorum]
"Well, here we are. An Endbringer Battle." Lisa said, or Tattletale as she was known in her purple skin-tight catsuit.
"Yeah, I guess we are…" Taylor murmured back as they entered the Great Hall of Magos' Manufactorum.
It was just the two of them- a stark contrast to the full teams that Taylor saw around the cathedral interior.
All around them was the combined Parahuman might of Brockton Bay. Both heroes and the villains were in attendance. The various nearby Protectorate Teams, the ABB, the Empire88, even the Merchants, and about a hundred other assorted independents or newcomers to the city… Like colourful festival flags, their vibrant costumes contrasted starkly from the orderly stone of their surroundings as they gathered in clearly designated spaces as if claiming their own territories within the vast baroque interior of Magos' great hall.
"The Brockton Bay Protectorate must still be in Las Vegas…" She heard Lisa note in an interested voice, and Taylor released a sigh of relief.
She ran a hand over the lightweight armour plates of her painfully new costume modelled to resemble an insect's carapace. Pristine, not even a scratch on it- undeniable proof that she was a painfully new heroine/villain. Still… she found it impressive that Aoicus was able to fabricate it so fast. Perks of being Magos' agent, she supposed. And now that Taylor was actually wearing the damn thing, she had to admit that a professionally-made costume woven with stab-resistant fabric felt a lot more reassuring once she put it on. Would it be enough against the Simurgh? Taylor decided that she didn't want to be put into a position where she'd find out.
"Holy Rites of stable connection concluded… Your armband is now adequately synced to the Noosphere." The Chloe in Taylor's electronic armband notified her- the most recent addition to her already recent costume and her lifeline in the battle to come. "Furthermore, your request to bring vermin into the premises has been denied."
Taylor felt a bit miffed at that. Magos kept his manufactorum so clean. Clean enough that there were absolutely no insects within the premises. Practically scoured the place of any life that wasn't a machine. Hopefully, there'll be a lot of insects that she could control where they're going…
She glanced at the 'Warp Gate' that they were supposed to go through once the battle began.
It was intimidating to say the least: A titanic 50-metre-tall stone archway with a myriad angels carved onto its frame, all lending the impression that anyone who was to pass through it was going to enter some otherworldly place. And in a sense, it definitely was. They were heading to another Earth where they'll battle it out with an engine of destruction. Maybe not directly for Taylor- her power wasn't particularly useful against an Endbringer. And yet here she was, still willing to put her life on the line for a cause greater than her own and help in any way that she can.
Lisa raised a blonde eyebrow- noticing her nervousness and she leaned in closer to stage-whisper, "It's not too late to bow out, you know? No one will blame you if you do."
"No, it's my duty as a Cape." Taylor readily affirmed, her eyes never leaving that Warp Gate. "And… thanks for coming along, Li- Tattletale. I just wish the others weren't so hard to convince."
The blonde just nodded with pursed lips and shrugged, "Grue and Regent felt their powers weren't useful in an Endbringer Battle, especially against the Simurgh. Meanwhile, Bitch outright refused to even go near the Manufactorum for some dog-related reason. So, that leaves just the two of us to represent the Undersiders. But this 'Warp Gate' opens, all we can do is sit and wait with the rest of the Cape volunteers."
Nodding, Taylor felt her respect for the Thinker go a few points higher for showing up to an Endbringer Battle, all in spite of not having a combat-based power. She may as well have been one as well for all her bug powers would be able to do on an Endbringer.
It would seem her glorious plan/fantasy was not to be today.
= T =
Everyone knew this day would come.
An Endbringer attack. A rampaging engine of death and destruction set on undoing humanity. It was a harsh reality that everyone on Earth-Bet woke up to, an occurrence as inevitable as natural calamities, but no one had thought that it would come weeks earlier than expected. No one except…
… Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!
Up on the tallest skyscraper and perched on a snarling stone gargoyle, Brockton Bay's Dark Defender. Her heavy black cape billowing in the pre-dawn wind. And hovering in the air beside her was none other than Alexandria- her mentor and now partner. The crime-fighting kind of partner, because Mysterious Insect Heroine Z was definitely not bi.
"I had felt it." Her cool husky voice growled through her black insectile mask, "As Brockton Bay's heroic protector in the shadows, I had long tuned myself to hear the invisible voice of the city. Learned to hear its cries of help. An Endbringer attack so early… not even I would ever have expected it would be this dire."
"No one did." Alexandria replied- placing a hand on her shoulder. "But the world needs you now more than ever, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z. It needs a cool, but mysterious champion of Good to protect it from the Simurgh. And you are the only one who fits the bill."
"I will answer the call." Mysterious Insect Heroine Z replied as she stood up from the gargoyle and walked back onto the roof, "I will shelf my hidden crusade for now and fight alongside the vile Forces of Evil if I must."
The Undersiders jumped out of the corner just to fall to their knees in despair.
"No, don't go!" Grue pleaded desperately, "Who will guide the Undersiders on how to be our better selves without you?"
"Also, you just control bugs, how are you going to fight an Endbringer?!" Regent cried out, and Alexandria just smiled- looking over to Taylor.
"I think it'll be easier to just show them, wouldn't you agree, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z?"
Mysterious Insect Heroine Z coolly back-flipped off the edge of the building…
… and landed into the cockpit of a great mecha- even larger than Magos' own Knight Atropos. It rose into the air on great big wings with jet engines to reveal itself in its full glory. Bipedal and armoured in black metal like a knight of yore. Its horned head of a hercules beetle looking down at the two Undersiders. Metal arms that wielded twin swords of jet-black darkness.
"The Mobile Omni-Reactive Battlesuit Z." Alexandria said as Taylor's teammates could only make awed expressions.
"You gave her a giant fighting robot?" Regent squawked in disbelief, and Alexandria just laughed out loud before smiling a proud smile.
"Mysterious Insect Heroine Z is the most heroic cape in Brockton Bay. Why wouldn't we give her a giant fighting robot?"
"Yes… I get it now." Grue breathed in pure awe as they looked upon the MORB Suit Z. "I believe that the good guys can win! I want to join the Wards and be a productive member of the Parahuman community!"
"The Simurgh doesn't stand a chance now, because with my MORB Suit Z… I, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z, am…
MORBING UP!"
Up into the sky, she rocketed like a shooting star- heading towards the portal that led to another earth. And like a shooting star, she carried the wishes. Wishes of victory from the good citizens of Earth-Bet, wishes of a better tomorrow and the wishes for Mysterious Insect Heroine Z to release an action figure toy line for kids ages 7 and above.
= T =
Taylor sighed wistfully.
"Still thinking of getting your very own Knight?" Tattletale asked with a smirk. "Pestering our contact with endless questions about Tinkertech as if he was some sales assistant at a beauty supply store might not have been the best move."
"I got excited after seeing how much money was left over after paying my debt, alright?" Taylor grunted, "Also, it's not like I knew anyone else who works for a Tinker. Besides, Aoic- I mean, our contact didn't seem to mind."
Lisa just gave a quick laugh. "Trust me, he was very annoyed. It's why he was so 'helpful.'"
Taylor didn't believe her. Aoicus had been kind enough not to laugh at the idea, he was supportive even! He even came up with the acronym: MORB Suit Z. It sounded so sci-fi and badass to Taylor's ears. And the blond even helped her with a cool catchphrase: For when she wanted to 'MORB up' or when it's 'MORBing time.' A big softy, Aoicus was. Helping her despite her being embarrassingly excitable and annoying. Unfortunately, he wasn't willing to talk to Magos about a 99.999999% discount on getting her a MORB Suit Z, even for the cause of good. So, a Knight was very much out of her budget for at least the next century.
It was worth a try at least, and you never know…
"Did you at least familiarise yourself with the things that you actually bought with your four grand?" Tattletale asked.
"Yeah, yeah." Taylor waved off, "The medical nanite injector, the grappling hook, and my gauntlet's stun gun."
"You didn't fully read through the grappling hook's user manual." the blonde said rather than asked, and Taylor clicked her tongue. She disliked how unfair Tattletale's power was.
"Fine, I'll get to that."
At least her helmet had a HUD. But so far, she'd only been using it to browse PHO hands-free.
She had always read that the waiting was always the worst for Capes in Endbringer Battles. But right now, at least it gave her time to appreciate the situation that she was in: How she was actually inside Magos' Manufactorum. As far as she had read from PHO, this is the deepest that any organic has ever ventured inside of the gargantuan complex that loomed over the city. Far from the logistics area where her dad and his dockworkers hauled cargo, and far from the legal offices that Carol Dallon and her team organised themselves. What she was seeing here… It was hard to put into words, but if she had to choose one word to describe this place it would be…
Fantasy.
Here she stood in her dark Cape costume, within this grand cathedral to a god whose name she didn't even know.
Smoothly cut and perfectly polished stone made up the floor underneath her boots. A stone forest of baroque columns held up vaulted ceilings high above her head. Magnificent statues of hooded figures wielding swords stood on marble pedestals as they guarded the vast expanse. Stained glass windows painting scenes of worship and battle through light. The religious chanting echoing from a distance. The scent of fragrant incense and holy oils. Even the gilded flying skulls and patrolling armoured Chloe-Skitarii, despite being futuristic tech, felt like they belonged in this fantastical setting. This was what her child mind had envisioned when her mother would read bedtime stories from fantasy books.
"You should see it with my power." Lisa murmured, also looking around.
"And what do you see?" Taylor said, now very curious.
"A million little details that less smart people would have glossed over." Tattletale smugly basked in her superiority before turning her bottle-green eyes all around them- her voice taking a softer tone, "How golden ratios that the statues and architecture incorporate flow together when you stand in specific spots, or how the blend of colours streaming from the stained glass windows spell out a religious verses. Magos must have meant it to be seen only by AIs like Dragon. I have to admit, it's kind of beautiful how it all flows together."
"… Verses?" Taylor echoed in disbelief, "You mean Magos writes poetry?"
Tattletale just glanced at one of the stained glass windows- light streaming in a dazzle of colours, and she spoke as if reading from some invisible plaque that only she could see.
"As my flesh wither, Iron protect me.
As my mind fades, Circuits preserve me.
As my soul takes flight,
Omnissiah, Transcend me."
"The Litany of Machine Salvation." Lisa murmured in interest as she lightly shook her head and sent soft blonde locks bouncing. Then as if breaking free of a spell, her voice and smile turned to its usual smug again, "But~ It also gives me a damned headache. A shame Accord doesn't attend Endbringer battles- it would have been funny seeing him cream his tiny obsessive-compulsive pants if he saw this."
Taylor squinted at the stained glass window and tried to see what the Thinker saw but to no avail.
"Don't bother." Tattletale said to her. "It's a headache to read even for me with everyone shuffling around."
"I'll take your word for it… Still can't believe my debut as a Cape is going to be at an Endbringer battle." She muttered to herself then turned towards Lisa. "Are you nervous about it, Li- Tattletale?"
She didn't even hesitate with her answer.
"Yeah, this is going to be my first Endbringer battle too." the blonde grinned as if she wasn't at all nervous. Then she gave Taylor's arm a light jab, "But look at you! Just on your Cape debut and doing the ballsy as fuck move of deciding to have it at an Endbringer Battle. You definitely get brownie points from everyone from just that alone."
"Not in it for the fame or glory." Taylor said- just lying by the tiniest margins and pushing back her daydreams of a Mysterious Insect Heroine Z movie trilogy for later instead. "But I'm hoping to make a good impression."
"Right, right…" Tattletale smirked- likely having sniffed Taylour out on her lie. "At least we're just search and rescue. Well, you are. I'm going to be safe in the back with the other Thinkers."
Taylor held back from clicking her tongue at that cowardly behaviour. She couldn't wait until she reached the point where she can just put the Undersiders either behind bars or in the Wards. After all, it was only then that her real career as a heroic cape could begin.
She glanced back to Tattletale who was staring in the distance. Curious, Taylor followed the blonde's line of sight to find Dragon, clad in her draconic green power armour. And in her opinion, the Artificial Intelligence looked as beautiful in real life as the por- art that Taylor had seen online. Brown hair on caramel brown skin as she stared unblinkingly at the Warp Gate.
Her entire Dragonflight must have been assembled here, arrayed in a semi-circle around the Warp Gate. Dragon mechas, the size of sedans all the way to one that was the size of a commercial passenger jet. If the Warp Gate had been any smaller than the gigantic monument that it was, Taylor would have doubted that Dragon could have fit her mechas through. Each one bristled with so many gun barrels and all sorts of exotic sci-fi emitters that Taylor couldn't help but wonder what other incredible pieces of tinkertech the collaboration/Tinker power couple between Dragon and Magos was able to invent.
Taylor looked back to Tattletale who was still staring at Dragon and asked, "Figure anything out?"
"Do you want the good news or the bad news first?" Lisa grinned- practically ecstatic for the chance to show off what she knew.
"Bad news please."
"I'm 95% sure that the battlefield must be some kind of top secret research facility or weapons development base since Dragon has barely told us anything." the blonde told her- suddenly laser-focused, "Which means that the Simurgh- who is known to be a Tinker- now has access to Magos' secret workshop. And if that wasn't bad enough… see how the Dragonflight mechas closest to the Warp Gate have those big wings? They're actually tinkertech sensors. Dragon wants to be the first into battle because she has to find her boyfriend first. And the only reason why she'd do that is that somehow Magos was and still is cut off from communicating with her."
Taylor winced as she murmured, "And something must have gone very wrong for a Tinker 12 like Magos to be unable to reach an AI like her."
"Yep!" Lisa chirped a bit too cheerfully, "But as for the good news… because her mechas are going in first, she will end up tanking a lot of the Simurgh's aggro and initial burst. So, we're pretty safe for the initial clash and give us enough time to position ourselves to focus fire on the Endbringer."
"That's all the good news?" Taylor asked, "And also, are we really using Overwatch:Battlefront gaming terms to organise our Endbringer battle plans now?"
"Hey, whatever works, right?"
Taylor just frowned underneath her insect mask. It really put into perspective just how powerful Endbringers were when not even a Tinker 12 was being given trouble by the Simurgh, and how Earth-Bet as a whole was still floundering and winging it against the Endbringers. It was only more confirmation of what she already knew: The only victory that can be found against the forces of evil is the victory that they win together. And she, Taylor Hebert, was going to play a hopefully major part.
An excited shiver ran up her spine as she was reminded once again what she was doing.
This was it. This was her debut as a heroine, specifically this was her chance to show off that she was secretly a heroine infiltrating a villain group. And perhaps it was just her imagination, but as she rested her eyes on the Warp Gate again, Taylor almost heard Magos' voice- calling out for help to fight an Endbringer.
'Just hold off the Simurgh just for a while longer, Magos. Mysterious Insect Heroine Z is coming to the rescue!'
(Meanwhile) [Fate Impact Land]
"The Simurgh is contained and I'm going to get so laid tonight!" I guffawed victoriously.
On a still-smoking grassy plain violently eroded by telekinesis and scorched black by plasma fire, my army of waifus and I stood triumphant. Amongst the more outlandish designs of the Fate Impact Waifus, my own Mars-red robes and glowing ornate axe practically blended in the crowd as we laughed and basked in our victory.
All the waifus around me cheered as well.
"The Archmagos is gonna pound some robussy when he gets back!"
"We always knew you could do it, Archmagos!"
"Congratulations, Archmagos!"
"Mistress Dragon has been extra horny lately!"
"Mistress Alexandria has been emanating tsundere old hag energy too!"
"That's true!" I laughed. My metal hand deftly tossed and caught the black cube that was the {Tesseract Labyrinth}. The Simurgh's core perfectly preserved within it. "But even more than that, Alexandria is definitely going to push me down and ravish me when I tell her about this development."
With this, there was definitely going to be some frantic ravishing to look forward to in my near future, but not because I had solo'd an Endbringer. No, Rebecca wouldn't be rendered speechless (and incredibly horny) by something as small as that. But what will do the trick is the news that the larger and even more stable version of this {Tesseract Labyrinth} technology- the {Tesseract Vault}- can contain Scion. The enemy that she had spent more than two decades hopelessly trying to find a way to defeat… she would soon be able to do so with a push of a button.
Yes, I was going to be subjected to the world's most intense fucking by the Earth-Bet's greatest Brute heroine the moment I tell her about it.
"And on a side note, we have all the pieces needed for humanity's salvation!" I added. Securely contain Scion in a Tesseract Vault, safely ensconce humanity in the Matrix, explore the alternate Earths to exterminate the Shards and thoroughly impregnate the Canadian AI. The last one was definitely necessary and should be repeated as many times as possible.
"Now however, let's see what the Simurgh was trying to accomplish here."
At least… that was the plan until something made it completely irrelevant.
[Back at the Manufactorum]
The excitement stayed with her even as Taylor glanced around to subtly measure up the other Capes. A dark figure appeared in her periphery vision, and Taylor pushed down the urge to fangirl.
There, by the Boston Protectorate team, was Shadow Stalker herself. Sticking close enough with them to show her affiliation, but separating herself enough to show that she was a lone wolf kind of hero. She was leaning against the base of an angelic statue. Her black cowl over a stoic-faced black mask as she checked and rechecked her crossbow with her armoured fingers. An ex-independent hero who stood up against the E88, and now, the only Ward from Brockton Bay actually heroic enough to have attended an Endbringer Battle. Here she was too, doing it a second time.
It was so badass.
Tattletale wrinkled her nose in disgust at her, "Ugh, don't tell me you're a Shadow Stalker fan."
"She set an example during Behemoth." Taylor defended herself and her favourite Ward, "I watched that short film depicting her heroics when the Behemoth fight happened- the one that had actual real life clips of her- and I have to say: I wish more heroes were like her. Actually, everyone should be more like her."
Lisa just snorted- rolling her green eyes behind her domino mask.
"Three things." She said- holding up three fingers in purple spandex, "First, don't let Grue hear you say that. Second, don't let Shadow Stalker hear that. And most importantly, she's a massive asshole and that directly feeds into the previous two."
Taylor barely heard what she said as she stared at the Cape in question. She felt vindicated picking black for her costume despite Lisa trying to convince her otherwise. Black was what the good guys wore- apart from Grue, that is. A shame, really. He was kind of hot, but what kind of horrible older brother would yell at his sister on the phone over something like her buying a pic of a monkey? But apart from that edge case, only the most heroic of heroes seemed to pick black. First there was Alexandria, now there was Shadow Stalker and her.
Yeah… they'd look good fighting side by side.
= T =
On the ruined city outskirts of an alternate Earth, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z was fighting on foot.
Her MORB Suit Z was too destructive and powerful for what needed to be done. They had found where Magos had been imprisoned and a small force of their ost elite Capes were chosen to spearhead the rescue.
Of course, this included Mysterious Insect Heroine Z. But that didn't mean it was smooth sailing.
"K-KILL YOU FOR SIHMURGHHHH!"
While the main force was distracting the Simurgh, the Elite Rescue Force was pressed to deal with Simurgh Bombs: Poor souls robbed of their free will after the Simurgh's Scream had twisted their minds to aid the Endbringer in setting up the downfall of nations. And here on this alternate earth, the capes desperately battling the maddened Simurgh Bombs. But Mysterious Insect Heroine Z, no. Mysterious Insect Heroine Z glided over the battlefield on a platform made of flying insects. Her arms crossed as she displayed calm disregard for the chaos happening around her that made the capes who saw her feel inspired with the Cause of Good.
With a wave of her hand, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z called on a wave of insects to carry away the Simurgh Bombs.
"Seeing Mysterious Insect Heroine Z in action…" "Her outfit is so cool!" "I'm a villain, but I want to convert to the path of good now!"
Taylor ignored the awed whispering in favour of walking up to someone trapped under some rubble. With just a gesture of her chin, insects moved the rubble off the person. The slabs of concrete moving aside to reveal Shadow Stalker, the Brockton Bay Wards heroine, her black hooded cloak and serene-faced mask was covered in dust as she clutched her injured side.
"Need a hand, Shadow Stalker?" Taylor said, extending a hand.
"Watch out!" The heroine shouted as she raised her crossbow- shooting a bolt right at the zombie-like Simurgh Bomb that was creeping up behind Mysterious Insect Heroine Z. The broadhead bolt spearing the Simurgh Bomb right between its eyes with a wet thwack before it slumped to the ground dead.
"Thanks for the save." Taylor smiled as she helped the cloaked Ward up. "Say… Don't the Brockton Bay Wards work in teams?"
"They were too cowardly to join the Endbringer Battles." Shadow Stalker just sighed in disappointment, "Always so preoccupied by their highschool drama that they forgot that they were heroes first."
Taylor just shook her head in disappointment, "They sound like horrible people behind the mask. I had my suspicions of their nature, but to hear it straight from a Ward…"
"I'm sorry to say that not every hero is a good person." Shadow Stalker apologised, and Taylor reached out and placed a reassuring hand on the Ward's shoulder.
"Unlike you, Shadow Stalker."
Her serene-faced mask just humbly nodded, "I only try to be brave and virtuous, in and out of costume. Same as you, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z. Now, what do you say to saving Magos?"
Taylor just glanced around them- the Simurgh Bombs having formed a shambling zombie crowd around them. Standing back to back with the Ward heroine, Taylor grinned underneath her insectile mask as she spoke,"I say that we'll have to fight our way out of here first."
"Not a problem." Shadow Stalker said as she turned into a shadow.
Immediately, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z washed the nearby ones away with a wave of bugs. Meanwhile, the Wards heroine turned corporeal only long enough to shoot her bolts that were too far from Mysterious Insect Heroine Z's bugs. Canary's latest single played from nowhere in particular, acting as a BGM for the fight scene. It was a super cool action scene montage that Taylor knew she'd definitely have to remember later on. Someone will need to guide the director into making them accurately when they start filming the first movie in the Mysterious Insect Heroine Z trilogy.
Surrounded by the groaning forms of the dying Simurgh Bombs, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z and Shadow Stalker advanced to their destination: an ominous blasted out warehouse.
Shadow Stalker banged her fist against the door panel, and with a dull metallic thump, the metal door slid open. There they spotted their objective trapped in the middle of the room: Magos- the cyborg Tinker was missing an arm from his deadly struggle with the Simurgh and his red robes were in tatters as he was cocooned in sparking electrical wires.
"Help! Anyone, please help!"
With a sweeping gesture, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z directed her bugs to chew through the cables. And soon enough, Magos fell free his electrical bonds and threw himself to Taylor's feet. "O' Mysterious Insect Heroine Z, how can I ever repay you for saving me from the Simurgh?"
"There is no need to repay me." Taylor coolly reassured- looking out into the distance and the wind blowing through her hair. "It's just heroes I do."
"What if I gave you a lifetime pass for all the items, characters and DLC of Overwatch:Battlefront?"
"Okay! If you insist!" She capitulated to his generosity, "Can I have a lifetime pass for all skins, characters and DLC of every EA game?"
"Of course, my saviour!"
"It's nice working with a professional heroine." Shadow Stalker said- placing a hand on Taylor's shoulder, "Hey, listen… I don't say this often- or at all- but… I like your style, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z. We should definitely hang out."
"We definitely should." Taylor smiled underneath her insectile mask. "Definitely not as a date, because everyone knows I'm not bi. But that's not because I'm homophobic or anything as everyone knows."
"Of course, everyone knows that." Shadow Stalker nodded. It was nice when people got the story right for once. But before they could bond more, a bright beacon lit up in the sky- shining a spotlight up at the sky and projecting a horned beetle on the clouds.
"The Mysterious Insect Heroine Z Signal!" Shadow Stalker exclaimed- immediately recognising the symbol, "They need you!"
"I'm on the way." Taylor said- letting her black cape billow behind her as her voice echoed throughout the halls, "For wherever there is evil, wherever there is injustice, wherever there is chaos and suffering. The shrouded defender of Brockton Bay shall be there. Villains, criminals, and general evildoers think that I hide in the shadows, but they're wrong: I am the shadow of justice. There is no hiding from Mysterious Insect Heroine Z. DARK HEROINE OF BROCKTON B-"
= T =
A hand on Taylor's shoulder rudely shook her from her daydream.
"Your staring at Shadow Stalker is really creepy." Tattletale whispered, "Especially with your bug-faced mask."
"Fine…" Taylor grumbled under her breath. She really couldn't wait for the day when she could put the Undersiders behind bars, or better yet, into the Wards.
Turning away, she glanced back one last time at Shadow Stalker, seeing the Ward pause in her preparations for a moment to look at the clock of her Endbringer armband, and she did the same.
Shadow Stalker was right: What's taking so long? If they were all organised then when were they going to go in? Back before Dragon developed the Endbringer Early Warning Algorithm, the lack of time was the bane of their existence. A lot of people died in the time it took for Capes to be transported to the Endbringer Battle- some even arriving just as it was all over. But now, as she glanced around, the excess in spare time seemed to be making her and a lot of people restless.
"Chloe?" Taylor asked into her armband.
"Yes, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z?" responded the friendly voice of a Chloe, and Taylor felt a delightful shiver at hearing someone else acknowledge her chosen and definitely cool cape name.
Unfortunately, Lisa heard it, if the annoyed groan was any indication.
"Stop, we talked about this." the blonde hissed in a whisper, "If you want to introduce yourself as 'Mysterious Insect Heroine Z' you should at least tell people that they can call you 'Mihz.' Short, sweet and onomatopoeic. But that's not what you want to hear, that's fine. If you let people call you Mihz, it actually plays the mysterious part instead of yelling it out for everyone to hear. In other words, you'll look and sound cooler with that nickname. So, please? Pretty please?"
"Chloe, can we get more details about where and how we're going to fight the Simurgh?" Taylor asked- outright ignoring Lisa. Because although the Thinker made a lot of sense, her powers of logic and asking politely held no sway over Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!
Sensing her refusal, Lisa just groaned again as the Chloe answered her earlier question.
"The Forgelord has quarantined the area as he battles the Simurgh. Mistress Dragon has gathered you here today in the unlikely event that the Simurgh may prove too powerful of an opponent for the Forgelord."
"Wait, wait, wait." Taylor argued- unable to keep the indignation in her voice, "You mean to say that Magos deliberately quarantined himself to try and solo an Endbringer?!"
Sure, Magos may have driven away Behemoth back last time, but that had been with the help of the Triumvirate and the largest collection of Capes ever arrayed at an Endbringer Battle yet. The sheer arrogance of Magos- or any one Cape really- for thinking that he could solo the Simurgh!
(Meanwhile) [Fate Impact Land]
Heed! Anomalous spatial folding detected within Chaldea bounds!
"Now I'm glad that I initiated that planetary Simurgh Quarantine…" my modulated voice muttered out as- high above us- an angry black Buddha with a spherical belly popped into existence. And I immediately recognised who this was.
Khonsu, the fourth Endbringer, has appeared. Floating above in the blue sky- looking down at us with the face of a snarling japanese oni.
His black clawed hand made a malevolent sweeping gesture at us. Like a spotlight pointing straight up, a glowing cylinder of accelerated time shined from underneath my Fate Impact Waifus' feet. Under the Time Field's influence, grass rotted to brown dust. Rocks crumbled to sand. And any human trapped in there would have died of thirst or hunger as every second was stretched into two whole years for them. However…
"That time-out can was really weird!" Klee beamed as she and a few others just casually walked unharmed out of the endbringer's time field, "But Klee just resynchronised her date and time and now Klee is okay!"
Indeed, the little blonde girl was. The blessed machine was laughably resilient to such temporal effects. Imagine being such a flesh-normie that your maximum lifespan was limited to just three- often just two- digits! Meatbags were so funny at times over how squishy they were. All in all, the endbringer Khonsu could only stare at us in awkward silence as his main power that had vexed canon Earth-Bet to breaking point… was now demonstrably useless against us.
After all, what was a hundred years to sex dolls with ten thousand year warranties?
"The living diminishes, but the machine endures…" I intoned with a solemn nod right before I activated my body's {Gloom Prism}. The anti-teleportation effects slamming down on the rotund Endbringer.
"… Ergo, you came to the wrong neighbourhood."
Suddenly unable to escape, Khonsu was immediately beset by a crowd of powerful waifus with very sharp dimension-vibrating blades. From what I can recall, he had the weakest melee power out of all the Endbringers, still a Brute rating, but nothing Fate Impact Waifus weren't equipped to dunk on as they continued carving up his spherical form as he flailed helplessly. Perhaps if we manage it correctly, my waifus can keep the Endbringer weak and suppressed long enough for me to make another {Tesseract Labyrinth} and I can start collecting Endbringers left and right.
Of course, it was at that point that the universe proved me wrong once again.
Mere seconds later, I realised that I no longer needed to check what the Simurgh had done to Eidolon. The realisation struck 0.046 seconds after two more Endbringers appeared. The Endbringer Twins: Tohu and Bohu. One a three-headed power copier that appeared like conjoined sisters, and the other a skyscraper-like Shaker that morphed the entire region around her. But their powers weren't as important as the fact that there were now three Endbringers right in front of me all at once, and that meant- in all likelihood- that there were going to be fourteen more Endbringers appearing in the next few hours!
"Umm, Archymagos?" Klee's child voice rang out as her tiny, gloved hand tugged at my Mars-red robes, "Klee thinks we're in deep, deeep dookie now."
"Magos thinks so as well." I dumbly replied before amplifying my voice in great urgency. "GO! ATTACK ANYTHING! ATTACK EVERYTHING!"
[Magos' Manufactorum]
"I wish Dragon would open the Warp Gate already." Taylor grunted under her breath. "Anything is better than this waiting."
"Maybe Magos doesn't think we can handle it at the moment?" Lisa suggested, and Taylor couldn't help but scoff.
"The Capes and the PRT gathered here can face whatever is waiting for us through the Warp Gate." She confidently said with a nod of her insectile helmet.
"Apparently you're not the only one feeling impatient…"
"What do you mean?"
"Look!" Tattletale called out- leaning close so that she could point Taylor to the source of the commotion.
Kaiser, the infamous leader of the Empire88, marched towards Dragon. His tall frame was armoured in an approximation of a medieval knight with a crown of blades, and a soft clanking sound echoed out with every step he took towards Dragon. Behind him, Fenja and Menja- the size-changing cape twins in nordic costumes- followed like an honour guard. Muttering from the other capes sprung up in his wake, but no one moved to stop him even as he stopped just a few paces behind the Tinker in the draconic power armour.
"Dragon." He addressed her, loudly enough for Taylor to hear despite how far back she was. Which meant that he wanted everyone to hear and maybe to watch as well.
Dragon merely glanced over the scaled pauldron of her power armour and asked, "Yes, Kaiser?"
"You sounded the Endbringer alarm." He calmly said, going straight to the point as his smooth voice reverberated within his full helm, "But there is no city to defend, no civilian lives to save, and the actual Endbringer so far away that it is- quite literally- on another planet. A wise man once said: 'Don't fight a battle if you don't gain anything by winning.' And that wisdom holds true now. Why should we risk our lives and spill our blood on a distant Earth when there's little to fight for? How is this our problem?"
"A quote by Erwin Rommel, how appropriate for your organisation." Dragon noted with a shake of her head, "So, your concern is that there is no need to fight?"
"Yes." Kaiser nodded, his crown of blades reflecting light in Taylor's eye.
Lisa glanced at Taylor for a moment, "What do you think?"
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but… Kaiser is talking some sense I guess? On this issue, I mean. Not in general though!"
"Hmm…"
Taylor looked around and saw the colourful helmets, cowls and domino masks of the gathered capes also nod in agreement.
She sighed in relief. As long as everyone else was doing it, it's fine to agree with the supervillain. But she felt that he did have a point. Every cape suited up knowing they'd fight an Endbringer one day, so why should they be trying to deal with an issue that had already been dealt with? They can just destroy the Warp Gates and that will ensure the Simurgh can never return to Earth-Bet. Sure, that would mean writing off Magos as dead, but if it meant that the Simurgh was trapped on another Earth… that was worth it right? A single Rogue taking an Endbringer down with him. That was a downright heroic last stand! Especially for a Rogue!
Meanwhile, standing beside Taylor, Tattletale grew a smug smirk- likely knowing the answer already and whispered to Taylor, "Now listen to Dragon say that part about a super secret base."
Taylor nodded. She completely forgot about that part…
"The world that Magos and Simurgh had gone to is Magos' own secret workshop." Dragon revealed just as Lisa had predicted- the AI's brown eyes sweeping their gaze to meet everyone else's eyes at least once, "Should we not be here when Magos opens the Warp Gates, the Simurgh may escape through any of the multiple Warp Gates on Earth-Bet… possibly with one of Magos' greatest creations in hand. This Endbringer Battle is still ongoing."
"One would think that you of all people would know when tinkertech is too dangerous to be irresponsibly left unsecured." Kaiser cooly replied.
Tattletale leaned over to whisper to Taylor again, "A not-so-subtle dig at Dragon being an 'unsecured' piece of tinkertech herself, and also a reference to how the Dragonslayers jacked her Dragonflight and had them lay waste to Brockton Bay months ago."
"It is hard to 'secure' tinkertech against an Endbringer." Dragon replied in a diplomatic tone, "As Tinkers, we are all naturally possessive about our tinkertech and are thus inclined to place safeguards in our inventions to prevent them from other people from using, sabotaging or reverse engineering our technology. Magos is no different. However… If there is anyone who stands a good chance at cracking Magos' tech, it would be an Endbringer with a known capacity for Tinkering. The threat of the Siimurgh having access to Magos' tinkertech has the potential to be… world-ending. Which is why we have to be ready to charge in at a moment's notice to reinforce him…"
Dragon glanced over all of them again.
"… If or when the time comes, we have to do everything in our power to save him."
"You're horribly biased." accused Kaiser. And for a while, the brunette in green power armour said nothing before eventually smiling a sad, wistful smile.
"Of course, I am." Dragon said softly, "This is the man I love we're talking about."
It was such a sincere, heartfelt and human sentiment that, for a moment there, Taylor forgot that the woman in the green power armour wasn't human.
"That's exactly what she wants you to feel." Tattletale warned- clutching Taylor's shoulder tightly to snap her out of her reverie, "This entire exchange between Dragon and Kaiser was never about convincing the other: It was to convince the crowd. Kaiser wants to bow out of the Endbringer fight without losing face- he doesn't want to commit Capes to a life-or-death situation. Meanwhile, Dragon wants us to possibly lay down our lives to save Magos. As many of us as required. All of us if that's what it takes. Fuck, fuck, fuck! AIs are scary when they're manipulative like thi- oh no."
Taylor felt Tattletale freeze in unadulterated horror beside her. That was also when she noticed that Lisa- in her uneasiness- had accidently taken her hands off their armbands' microphones. Taylor felt every drop of blood in her body turn to ice. Her eyes immediately flicked towards Dragon who was still talking. Did she overhear?
"I may be biased, but that doesn't make me wrong." said the AI to no one in particular- turning her back against the Empire88 supervillain so that she could look at the Warp Gate, "If we're lucky, the Warp Gate will activate and the Simurgh will have already been heavily damaged by her fight with Magos. If we're really lucky, the Warp Gate will activate within the next few minutes and Magos will swagger out in his usual flair- triumphant against the Simurgh on his own."
"And if we're not lucky?" Kaiser suggested, and Dragon fell silent for a moment.
"If we're not, the Warp Gate won't activate at all. Not until a few months from now… when the Simurgh attacks with all the tinkertech Magos locked away."
Even Taylor knew how bad that was. If Magos fell to the Endbringer and his technology was suddenly working against them, she shuddered to imagine how bad things would get if their cities were attacked by Knights and Chloe-Skitarii.
"There's something you're not telling us." Tattletale's voice rang throughout the otherwise silent great hall, and Taylor felt social anxiety pierce all the way to her soul as every pair of eyes suddenly turned to look at her and Lisa.
"Tats, what the hell are you d-"
Lisa cut her off with an intense look- the most serious Taylor had seen the usually smug and playful Thinker.
"Dragon knows something." the blonde urgently whispered back. "And it could mean us living or dying, and I'm not dying today. Yes, I know we're on her shitlist, but I'm not heading into an Endbringer battle half-cocked."
The Canadian Tinker stared at them for a moment longer. Her caramel brown face holding an unreadable expression as if weighing something in her mind. And it must have been something especially important and weighty for an AI with all their vast processing power to spend so much time deliberating. But a second longer, she sighed- a very human gesture.
"Magos has a mecha. One that is explicitly designed to kill Endbringers." Dragon revealed, and that was all she needed to say.
Murmurs of stark disbelief broke out among the gathered capes at the mention of such a piece of tinkertech.
Like the long-sought Philosopher's Stone that medieval alchemists had tried and failed to synthesise, a tinkertech weapon that could stop the Endbringers once and for all was their loftiest dream. The pinnacle of their craft. The holy grail of Tinkers. Several international organisations including the United Nations even had a standing bounty of several hundred million dollars for such a creation. Of course, many Tinkers had attempted to build such a thing over the decades: Death rays, ballistic missiles, planes, super swords, tanks, and mechas. But each one always fell short, and the world seemed to filed it away as a pipe dream…
… until Magos came along with his own Knight Atropos and managed to damage Behemoth more than any tinkertech or cape had ever done before.
"This Endbringer-killer… Is it a specialised Knight?" Tattletale asked, her interest clearly piqued.
"Nothing so small." Dragon replied, her pink lips quirked in a mysterious smile on her tanned brown face. "Which is why Magos needs some time to ready the God-Machine for deployment- which should be in the next few minutes by my estimations, if that Warp Gate doesn't open within the hour…"
"But are you sure it works?"
"I've seen it with my own eyes." Dragon murmured- slight awe in her voice as if she was talking about some mythical creature, "Magos called it a God-Machine. And he told me what it was capable of- what he planned on making it capable of in the future. And… for once in my life, I was struck with the urge to pray."
Taylor saw Capes glanced at each other in hesitation, and Lisa was even a bit disturbed by that. Everyone was a bit disturbed that an AI saw a weapon so destructive that it gave her a religious experience was… worrying to say the least. But on the other hand, a massive mecha dedicated to fighting Endbringers… Why hadn't she thought of that?
= T =
Over the city streets of an alternate Earth, the forces of good and evil battled. Buildings were smashed aside like a child's blocks. Fires raged and smoke rose up into the sky. And in the minds of all the Capes in attendance, there was no doubt as to who today's champion of good was.
"You can do it, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!" "We believe in you!" "I'm your biggest fan, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!"
"Everyone, get back! The Simurgh is too powerful!" Mysterious Insect Heroine Z warned the heroes who watched the titanic battle go on. Her MORB Suit Z was in a deadly grapple with the Simurgh. And despite being waif-thin, the Simurgh was incredibly strong. Strong enough that the Mechanicus-made engines of her MORB Suit Z's arms were straining under the load. Things were looking bad. Real bad for Mysterious Insect Heroine Z. But just when all hope seemed to be lost…
A crossbow bolt the size of a streetlight speared through the Simurgh's largest wing.
With a high-pitched shriek like a startled bird, the Simurgh flew away from Taylor's MORB Suit Z- trying to dislodge the bolt and giving Mysterious Insect Heroine Z much needed space. There, Taylor saw her saviour in a MORB Suit as well. Also in black, of course.
"I hope I got my 'point' across to the Simurgh." the other MORB Suit that wore a hooded black cloak said as it reloaded its truck-sized crossbow, and Taylor immediately recognised that voice.
"Shadow Stalker?!" Mysterious Insect Heroine Z cried out.
"You didn't think that the good guys would leave one of their own, right?"
"Maybe not." Taylor smiled in exasperation. "But how did you get your own MORB Suit?"
The cloaked MORB suit shrugged its heavy metal shoulders as she spoke. "Magos had been watching the battle and was so inspired by you that I managed to convince him to lend me a MORB Suit too."
But their friendly banter was interrupted by the Simurgh finally dislodging that bolt from her wing- staring at them with a rageful expression.
"Mysterious Insect Heroine Z, we can't take the Simurgh down on our own!" Shadow Stalker cried out, "But with the new update to our MORB Suits, we can win this as it was meant to be won: United."
"But how are we-" Taylor tried to say just before a holographic screen with the details of the 'update' popped up in front of her, and she couldn't help but grin. "I see. Let's do it, Shadow Stalker. Together!"
In front of every cape in attendance, the two MORB Suits touched the tips of their fingers and shouted the activation phrase that would initiate the process that Taylor definitely didn't steal from a popular anime.
" MORB SUIT FUUUSSSSIOOONNN!!!"
A bright light consumed the two MORB Suits, and when it finally dimmed for everyone to see. They saw not two giant fighting robots, but one robot. Greater than the sum of its parts and standing heads and shoulders taller than before… and wearing the coolest black cloak. And within the cockpit of this great machine, the two teenage heroes sat side by side.
Shadow Stalker turned the stoic-faced mask towards Mysterious Insect Heroine Z.
"You've got grit holding off the Simurgh for so long, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z." She said to her. "What do you say we hang out at Fugly Bobs after this? As two normal teenage girls- I don't have to be a Ward and you don't have to be a legendary dark heroine beloved and admired by all."
"Not as a date, of course. Everyone knows that you're not bi. But not because you're homophobic or anything."
"Naturally." Taylor nodded. "I'd like that."
Taylor replied with a sincere smile. "Let's finish this."
They looked towards the Simurgh who had conveniently not moved from the spot while they were having their conversation.
"I'll follow your lead, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!" Shadow Stalker replied. "Now, let's show this Evil Being what happens when the dark but good heroines band together!"
"Couldn't have said it any better myself." Taylor agreed before speaking through the loudspeaker of their combined MORB Suit.
"Mysterious Insect Heroine Z: Ultimate Move."
Taylor watched as the gathered capes felt a shiver run down their spines, their jaws dropped in awe and anticipation as her MORB Suit Z lifted its black lightsaber high. Its heavy cloak billowing from a dark spring of power inside her that only a true champion of good could control.
"Righteous Intervention of the Mysterious Heroine…" "Z-SLASH SUPREEEEEEME!!!"
With a single Z-shaped slash of Taylor's black lightsaber, the Simurgh exploded into a million glowing pieces. Like fairy lights, the pieces lit up the sky. And it was that sight that made everyone knew that they had been saved from the Simurgh's reign of terror once and for all.
"Mysterious Insect Heroine Z! Mysterious Insect Heroine Z! Mysterious Insect Heroine Z!"
The gathered crowd of Capes cheered her name, and Shadow Stalker chuckled next to her, "Looks like you have a lot of fans. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, that move was so cool. Nice name as well."
"Thanks! I came up with it " Taylor laughed, "But I think it was less about the move and how we saved the world!"
Talyor could tell that Shadow Stalker was smiling underneath her serene mask.
"No, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z…" The Ward said softly, "You saved the world. I was only here for the ride."
They climbed out of their fused MORB Suits, and the victorious cheering swelled among the gathered capes. But they soon quieted down when Alexandria came along- black cape billowing behind her as she floated towards Taylor's MORB Suit. More interesting were the people who followed in her wake: Lung, Kaiser and Skidmark… The three major supervillains of Brockton Bay marched behind her with their bowed heads and their body language subdued.
"What's this?" Taylor asked- looking down at the gathered supervillains at her MORB Suit's armoured feet.
"Looks like your ultimate attack inspired some of the villains." Alexandria explained with a proud smile, "Thanks to your selfless heroics, they have seen the error of their ways and have agreed to disband their gangs."
"Yes, I now respect women!" Lung shouted to them.
"I now respect minorities too!" Kaiser followed right after.
"And I now think drugs are bad!" Skidmark finished the supervillain trio's declarations of repentance.
A pat on the back interrupted Taylor's talk with the supervillains.
"Want to head to Fugly Bob's now?" Shadow Stalker said- Taylor could practically hear the other girl's smile, "After a victory like that, lunch is on me! You have to tell me how you came up "
"Sure thing, Shadow Stalker." Mysterious Insect Heroine Z smiled before they rode off into the sunset on her Land Speeder. Months after, the movie about that Endbringer Battle would be a massive box office success, and consequently, Mysterious Insect Heroine Z would make a frequent guest appearances in every major talk show and podcast- propelling her from being just a 'legendary dark heroine beloved and admired by all' to 'Greatest dark and mysterious heroine who ever lived.'
And during the course of it, she entered in a relationship with-
= T =
"Alexandria has arrived!" Someone called out. Taylor didn't know who, and she didn't care- too busy she was craning her head to catch a glimpse of the Triumvirate heroine.
The heavy black cape, the armoured bodysuit, the visor, the long luxurious black hair. It was her, it was really her! Alexandria, founder of the PRT, the legendary Brute Heroine, the paragon of heroism herself!
Someone squealed in excitement, and Taylor was a bit annoyed that the moment was being ruined by someone else. But that didn't diminish the sheer awe that Taylor felt at seeing her Cape idol for the first time in real life! Taylor tried to burn the image of Alexandria in her mind. Oh, Alexandria looked so cool and perfect in real life. Looking every bit as beautiful and awe-inspiring as she was in all her videogames. Her costume was form-fitting enough to let everyone know she had sinful curves (no homo), but armoured enough to mean business. Even her armoured buns were perfect! It was simultaneously both unfair and understandable. Of course, the iconic Triumvirate heroine would look so deliciously sexy (again, no homo), but at the same time, Taylour internally pouted at how some people had it all, and- Who the hell was squealing so loudly?!
Taylor felt a light slap be delivered to the back of her head.
" You were squealing." Lisa deadpanned- the blonde's flat expression visible through her domino mask. Oh, that was embarrassing.
Subdued but still internally squealing, Taylor watched as Alexandria flew over to Dragon. Her tall frame in black landed right beside the Tinker's scaled green power armour before they conversed.
She must be counselling the AI, Taylor knew; and she could only wonder what kind of wisdom she had to share. But before she could ask if Lisa could lip-read them, it happened: The Warp Gate activated.
A swirling orb of purple and red fire appeared within the arch. Purple lightning crackled and arced all across the stone angels carved on the Warp Gate's surface. Then tidal waves of what could only be a Master effect rolled over them, and it was as if the air itself was pressing down on them, thick with raw unbridled emotion. All that humanity could feel, all across the entire world, and they felt all at once. Suffocating them under the weight of all the joy, hope, anger and sorrow in the world. Dragging them into crushing depths of an ocean human subconscious.
Then, like a lightbulb exploding with a pop, it was gone.
The pressure abated and everyone felt like they could breathe again- everyone sucking in big gulps of the sterile air as they picked themselves up from the floor. And somewhere in the distance, a great bell began to toll.
"No… No no no no!" Taylor heard Dragon panic, the power-armoured tinker slapping the side of the Warp Gate with her power-armoured hand as if it was a malfunctioning television.
"NO, THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! OPEN UP! I AM AUTHORISED! WORK, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"
"What… What the hell just happened?!" Taylor gasped, "I don't think it was doing as intended!"
Alexandria gently placed a hand on the AI's power-armoured shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"Everyone… " Dragon's voice echoed through all the Endbringer armbands- her voice the most robotic they had ever heard as the bell continued to ring in the background. "Kindly leave Mechanicus premises. The Endbringer Attack has been taken care of."
Murmurs rippled out amongst them. And it looked like this was one Endbringer fight where everyone lived through, Taylor thought everything was going well.
… Then Lisa had to open her big damn mouth.
"Did Magos just… die?" she said- her green eyes wide as she stared at the Warp Gate.
That was clearly the wrong thing to say. Dragon's eyes immediately homed in on Tattletale, and the Dragonflight- once as still as statues- came to life all around them. Like a brood of very real and very angry dragons, great wings stretched open and cavernous maws filled with metal teeth opened to reveal the glow of their fire-breathing cores. The Dragonflight mechas craned their sinuous necks to look at them as energy weapons thrummed to life.
"I SAID LEAVE, MEATBAGS!"
Mysterious Insect Heroine Z must face off against her greatest and most dangerous opponent yet: the legendary Tinker Dragon herself. The capes assembled in the manufactorum could only watch on as the dark heroine of Brockton Bay challenged the draconic Tinker. Everyone knew that she had clearly bitten off more than she could chew.. Or had she?
"Hn." Mysterious Insect Heroine Z scoffed as her black cape billowed behind her, "Your mechas are no match for the Light of Good that I carry daily in the darkness. For as long as it burns bright with good intentions, I will always be vic-"
Taylor felt another slap to the back of her head.
"Now's not that time to space out, 'Mysterious Insect Heroine Z'!" Lisa shrieked as she grabbed Taylor by the hand, the Thinker cape looking like she was developing a Mover Rating as she almost dragged Taylor behind her. All the while the great bell continued to toll over and over again. But in spite of everyone sprinting for the gates to escape the angry AI, Taylor still felt giddy at being called her rightful Cape name by another human being. An established Cape at that!
An Endbringer was finally dealt with once and for all. The biggest and most oppressive Rogue getting a heroic ending. And Mysterious Insect Heroine Z getting recognised by another Cape on her proud debut. Taylor just knew…
Today was a good day on Earth-Bet.
- Mysterious Insect Heroine Z Returns! end -
In the Shadow of Magos Coming soon
AN:I'm home…
I can finally write on something that isn't a phone again.
People said they'd prefer more Fate Impact Land Insanity… so, here you go. It may look grim, but trust me: It's all setup for the hilarious shenanigans next chapter. And I think you'll like the new main character for this mini-arc that focuses on Fate Impact Land. Also, I needed to find a way to get Magos to ignore his 'No fucking the meatbags' rule without it being out-of-character. So, next smut would be Panpan? GG, maybe? Lisa?
About continuing the Omakes… I'll hold a vote later on after I exhaust ideas. See which one you all want to see continued in full length. Going to save the RWBY omake for another chapter because this chapter is already huge like an Xbox.
Only three Mysterious Insect Heroine Z scenes because… I physically cannot deliver a fourth. I'd type a few words, stop, and cry out "omfg Taylor, that's so cringe."
I tried to develop Taylor's mindset from as close to canon as I could… With her home situation a lot better (happier and richer Danny, good neighbours/friends) and Emma preoccupied with her own home situation lightening the bullying to nothing, she'd naturally go all in on her hero worship. Not to mention that Magos and Alexandria had been working behind the scenes to make Taylor's Cape experience as smooth as possible- just as they had discussed a few chapters earlier. This Taylor is in a much better headspace, albeit a lot more naive too.
Chapter 39: In the Shadow of Magos
Chapter 39: In the Shadow of Magos
[Earth-Teyvat]
Appeasement of Titanicus Machine Spirit: 81.747% complete
"My park!" My modulated voice cried out, "My beautiful sex-themed theme park!"
My vast monument to the superiority of Robussy that was supposed to peddle premium companionship and mind-meltingly amazing sex was now an ever-shifting hellscape. The raging war between the apocalyptic engines of destruction and my own sex dolls ravaged the land. Entire mountains transmuted to crystal, plains cracked open by kilometre-deep ravines like wounds on the Earth, and nuclear fallout was beginning to blot out the sky.
"The terraformer will need to work overtime for this… If this earth is even salvageable at all."
The buildings themselves- the manors and palaces and castles- had thankfully been preserved in stasis in picturesque little stasis field snow globes hidden in the master storage bunker. It was a lot easier preserving things that did not have souls after all, and the Endbringers should count their blessings for that. If they had broken things that were actually essential to Fate Impact Land, I would have thrown long-term stability out the window and just slam dunked this entire planet into the Warp.
Appeasement of Titanicus Machine Spirit: 87.351% complete
Heed! Anomalous spatial folding detected within Chaldea bounds!
Because now, the last of the Endbringers has arrived to join their siblings.
The latest one must have spawned somewhere beyond the horizon, because I couldn't pick it apart from the other Endbringers who were already assaulting my position. A fat Buddha with a snarling oni mask, a woman stretched skyscraper-tall as if through a tube and her three-headed twin, a fifteen-foot tall lion-headed figure surrounded by crystal, a woman with a reptilian lower body surrounded by steam, a naked man sitting atop of a frozen ocean wave, and several other Endbringers loose on my once beautiful theme park. They were Eden's superweapons, destroyers of entire civilisations across countless alternate universes. Each of them had the power to destabilise entire continents.
Now, seventeen Endbringers strode across this Earth, and they hated me specifically.
" Well, the servants of the Omnissiah hate you too, you vexing xeno-engines! "
Here at our firebase we stood, defiant and unbowed in the face of overwhelming Endbringer numbers.
From my experimental weapons development shrines, I had called upon my four {Necron Monoliths}, three-story-tall black pyramids of regenerating necrodermis armour and harrowing weaponry, were the four pillars on which our entire survival now rested upon. Their {Particle Whips}- shining green crystals atop each Monolith- lashed out with green lightning bolts of antimatter. And, a little known fact about Endbringers was that, despite not feeling pain, they still really didn't like having grains of antimatter blasted at them at an appreciable fraction of the speed of light.
" The Adeptus Mechanicus spits back at you! " My modulated voice shouted out as the 10-tonne Endbringers were sent ass-over-teakettle into the distance like stones skipping across a pond. Far from stupid, the other Endbringers quickly learned to respect the Necron Monoliths' firepower- circling around the firebase like sharks around a sinking boat that dove in whenever they sensed weakness.
Another error on their part.
Whenever an Endbringer attack while the {Particle Whips} were reloading, the xeno-engine would immediately be barraged by the Monoliths' {Gauss Flux Arcs}- severing molecular bonds and leaving deep gouges in their bodies right before they were assailed by my horde of sex dolls wielding very sharp implements. Its siblings would then come to its aid- driving the waifus back just enough to allow it to escape beyond the horizon to regenerate its mass.
Of the fourteen Endbringers, we had damaged nine enough in this way for them, all of them having retreated beyond the horizon to regenerate. The remaining five eyed us from afar, looking for an opening. And they found one when all the {Particle Whips} and the {Gauss Flux Arcs} were reloading.
"Incoming!" Boudica, the buxom red-headed queen of ancient 1st century Britannia, shouted out as the Lion-headed Endbringer breathed a glowing purple ball of energy at us….
Performing Necron Ritual of Translation…
… moments before our entire base and everyone in it was immediately teleported two hundred metres to the left, down to the millimetre. Just in time as well, the spot that we had just vacated was now a gleaming forest of self-replicating purple crystals.
Necron Ritual of Translation cooldown completed
Perma-capacitor Repositorum charge at 4.49%
We were running out of energy to do that.
The park's energy banks that were supposed to power my designs for ten thousand years were now running dry- expended from powering the energy-hungry Necron weapons and the hundred Translations of an entire firebase. The main generators had been knocked out some time ago, and this was all the energy we had to spare. We could not keep fighting or dodging forever; nor could we leave for Mars for fear it would allow the fourteen Endbringers to spill over Earth-Bet.
"Archmagos, their attacks are climbing their crescendo!" Venti, the Anemo Archon and local drunk bard, cried out from the frontline of waifus. His energy-wreathed bow firing arrows of searing teal plasma away at a creeping supranatural fog with snarling faces and swiping demon claws that was inching closer.
"We need to hold them for just a little longer, Venti!"
"ONE GOT THROUGH!" yelled the bard, and everyone turned their weapons on the threat.
There! At the weakest point of our line, the massive frame of that wave Endbringer pounced from the cover of the fog. Too close to avoid friendly fire from the Monoliths, and it looked very angry (for a wave) as well, but thankfully, it was not the only apex predator around. Dragon's Glaurung Experimental Drone Carrier came to our rescue: Tau drones burst from the ground to emit a shining net of energy shields that stopped the Endbringer in its tracks. Held steady, it was easy prey as, up in the sky, a high-pitched 'BRRRRRRTTT' rang out as a barrage of railgun fire peppered the Endbringer with high explosive pellets of hot plasma.
"Our pretty dragon, she saves us!" I shouted in relief as the wave Endbringer was driven away. However, it did not change our general situation. On our left flank, the forest of crystals was creeping closer as well- transmuting whatever matter it touched into more crystal. At our rear, the Endbringers were trying to sneakily gather for one unstoppable strike when we're too preoccupied dealing with the environmental hazards.
We were trapped here. Would-be martyrs protecting a planet full of clueless meatbags from the fourteen Endbringers who want nothing to enslave them and supply them suffering for millennia to come; but unlike me, the Endbringers weren't going to charge the meatbags for it! And that was unacceptable.
Then, as if the Machine-God was answering my prayers, my orbital assembly-shrine reported that it was ready.
Appeasement of Titanicus Machine Spirit: 100% complete
" Launch! For the Love of the Machine-God, LAUNCH! " I yelled in fleshvoice, binharic cant and noospheric wave.
All the fighting stopped as everyone- every Fate Impact Waifu and every Endbringer- looked up at the sky to witness something truly gargantuan break past the blanket of clouds.
It was like the armoured gauntlet of some giant god had reached down from the heavens. A tremendous metal cylinder- as wide as a football stadium and as tall as a skyscraper- descended from the sky wreathed in reentry fire. Stabiliser rockets line the sides of the cylinder- desperately supplying the counterthrust to slow the gargantuan craft's descent; and even with then, the landing was far from gentle- the earth quaking violently as if in fear of what had just arrived.
The cylinder cracked open like some blooming metal rose- its hundred metres-tall petals toppling to the ground in a thunderous crash.
With the lull in the fighting, I stepped forward. My red-robed frame passed the frontline of waifus and spread my arms open to the Endbringers like a priest at a sermon.
"Behold and despair, xeno fools, the greatest manifestation of the Machine-God's terrible wrath. "
"The Emperor-class Imperator Titan."
Fitting for an engine purpose-built for unrelenting war, the Imperator resembled a heavily-armoured warrior. Hunched forward from the weight of all its weapons of mass destruction that it carried on its arms and the entire forge-temple rested on its back. So, it was: A baroque cathedral where pointed steeples and stained glass windows adorned the exterior alongside batteries of artillery cannons and cruise missile launchers.
It was a God-Machine. The Adeptus Mechanicus' ultimate expression of our veneration for the Omnissiah.
At two-hundred metres tall, the Imperator dominated the vision of everyone for miles around. Demanding their attention, their reverence, and their surrender just from it existing.
Its great skull-faced visage was set in a perpetually sneer as if in contempt at the vermin that crowded around its castle-like feet. And in its great shadow, there the 30-foot-tall (9.1m) Endbringers stood. Still frozen, still staring up at the giant that towered so high over them. Like rats cowering in the shadow of a man standing over them, they still did not understand- could not comprehend what their alien senses were seeing.
"Even amongst its Imperator brethren, this God-Machine will find no equal."
"Girded with weapons unknown to all the Fabricator-Generals of Mars, vitalized by powers beyond the observable reality, encased in extra-dimensional armour, And baptized with the name of a brave warrior-general almost two millennia past. By the grace of the Omnissiah and the miracles of the Celestial Forge, I have made it to be so much greater."
"Blessed are thee, xenos. For you are witnessing the Will of the Omnissiah made manifest."
"So, carve this God-machine's hallowed name into your alien minds, so that when your xeno-souls are sent screaming into the Warp, you may tell dead Eden the name of your slayer."
"BIGGUS DICKUS"
The Endbringers immediately charged at me, and I immediately intuited the logic in their actions: They sought to kill me- the ostensible master to this God-Machine- before I could pilot it. And just before the rampaging lion-headed Endbringer was upon me, a bright flash of green light translated myself and the entire firebase onto the Imperator Titan.
My red-robed self materialised on the command deck within the Titan's head and was greeted by the reassuring statues of solemn cybernetic angels holding up golden icons of the sacred Cog.
" Forgelord on deck! " the senior Chloe-Moderati saluted in binaric cant, the blonde in her red skin-tight plugsuit looked very good.
" Prepare for locomotion. " I replied.
" We hear and obey, O' Forgelord! "
All around me, a platoon of Chloe-Moderati tapped away at the hololithic panels of their command pulpits- managing the minute calibrations required to put this God-Machine into motion. It was here at the centre of it all that I sat down upon the cable-laden Throne Mechanicum… but not to pilot it as the Endbringers thought.
I laughed at their ignorance, because one does not merely 'pilot' an Imperial Titan. No, one becomes it.
I felt it all. My arms were each five hundred tonne-weapons of mass destruction, my legs were studded with autonomous turrets and armoured with metres-thick metal reinforced with Necron extra-dimensional latticing techniques, my racks of cruise missiles were filled to the brim with every warhead imaginable and my beating reactor core pulsed with unstoppable power as it ran down thick arterial cabling across my entire 200-metre tall frame.
"I AM BIGGUS DICKUS."
My left gun arm aimed at the lion-headed Endbringer that had been vexing me all this time.
Recalibrating {Extirpator Cannon} as new weapon
A Titan-class Conversion Beam weapon, possibly the largest relic of its kind, mounted upon the left arm of Magos' Emperor-Class Imperator Titan, Biggus Dickus.
The Extirpator Cannon fires a beam of exotic energy that transforms matter into pure energy which in turn sustains further penetration. As the beam lances through dense materials such as heavy armour, more and more energy is converted until it reaches a focal point wherein the total energy converted is so intense that the projected beam can no longer direct the accumulated energy forward and is instead released in an immense explosion. Thus, the more dense the target's molecular composition is, the more energy that is converted, and the more grievous the ensuing detonation will be.
This characteristic makes conversion beamers weapons especially effective against heavily armoured troops, vehicles and buildings. The nature of Extirpator Cannon's exotic energy beam does mean however that it is much less effective against energy shielding compared to other energy weapons of similar size.
[Way of the Void Dragon] : With Magos utilising technomantic powers that are unique to him and the Void Dragon, several components within the weapon's fire control system are made redundant and several steps in the cycling are skipped- allowing for preposterously fast charging and reload times that would otherwise not be possible.
[Wisdom of the Ancient] : Noticing that the weapon functions on the same techno-arcana as the Necron's own Enmitic Weapons, Magos has retooled the weapon to allow unsurpassed beam stabilisation- giving the {Extirpator Cannon} greatly improved penetrative power, and the option to expel accumulate energy forwards in a cone rather than in a circular explosion.
M
A loud keening sound was heard as it charged up… then the Imperator's {Extirpator Cannon} fired.
For a brief moment, the sun itself was outshone. A light-blue beam as thick as a semi-truck speared through the air to strike the lion-headed Endbringer dead on- consuming the entire 10-tonne Endbringer in a blinding column of light. And when the glare receded, its entire torso was gone- leaving nothing but four clawed limbs scattered around a straight tunnel dug by the Extirpator Cannon… If it wasn't dead from having every molecule in its body converted into energy, then it certainly was dead when the planet shook beneath us. An indicator that the beam had destabilised and detonated in a colossal multi-megaton explosion 5.33 kilometres deep into the earth's crust.
Even I was surprised by the weapon's penetrative capacity. Running the numbers, I could theoretically pierce right through a small moon if I so needed. I filed that thought for later, for there was only one set of numbers that was relevant at the moment.
"BIGGUS DICKUS: ONE. ENDBRINGERS: ZERO." "YOUR MOVE."
My voice boomed through the war-horns of the Imperator Titan, loud enough that it would have shattered glass in a wide radius.
In response, the reptilian Endbringer shrouded the entire region in a thick fog of steam. The kind of steam that coalesced into demon-like entities that could slip through the tiniest gaps in armours and fortifications to wreak havoc with their slashing claws and snapping teeth. The steam fog even had a dampening effect like Grue's power, hindering movement all while still being steam… which is to say, scalding hot. It was 'milder' but more expansive version of Behemoth's kill aura.
For ordinary capes, it would have been a nightmare to deal with.
For me, my right arm didn't even need to be aimed.
An {Eradication Macrobeamer}. Normally mounted on the Onager Dune Crawler, this weapon was upscaled to more than ten times its size and more than a hundred times the destructive potential. From the tip of its radiator dish, a flash of yellow light exploded- bright enough to be seen from space- and all the supernatural steam simply vanished from existence… alongside all the trees and most of the topsoil within line of sight. Nothing but dust remained as everything was reduced to constituent atoms… including the outer layers of the endbringer that was violently stripped from it atom by atom. It attempted to limp away as it began to slowly regenerate.
"A PITIFUL ATTEMPT. YOU SHOULD HAVE RUN INSTEAD."
One of my many {Macro-accelerator Cannons} mounted on the cathedral delivered the killing grav-shell to the pitiful endbringer core- shredding it under the gravitic forces of a miniature destabilising black hole.
My skull-faced head turned to face the rest of the Endbringers.
"TWO AND NOTHING."
They charged as one- fully intent on swarming me even if it cost some of them their xeno-lives.
Another flash of green light, and my four Necron Monoliths sat on the prefabricated docking points at the four corners of the cathedral like four guard towers at a castle. Their {Particle Whips} once again lashing out with green lightning, and their {Gauss Flux Arcs} sweeping across the plains. With my {Extirpator Cannon} in my left arm, my {Eradication Macrobeamer} in my right, and the four Necron Monoliths providing cover… It was too much even for them.
Even the Endbringers were capable of fear it seemed, for they took one look at me and immediately turned tail and ran over the horizon.
"NO! DON'T ACTUALLY RUN AWAY! I NEED TO DESTROY YOU!"
Just a few minutes into appearing before them and the Endbringers had already discovered the Imperator Titan's one weakness: I need to get closer to truly be effective. I could shoot them through the curvature of the earth, but that would be wasting energy at that point. Cornering Endbringers was a lot harder than actually killing them. Even now, my Omnispex orbitals were tracking their movement, and it seemed that they were just regrouping at some random mountain.
Heed! Unknown trans-dimensional manipulation attempt warded on Earth-Teyvat!
Trans-dimensional manipulation signature matched to Kohnsu, Xeno-Engine #4
Wait, what? Why was that fat buddha trying again when the last few times didn't work?
No matter. They can cower on the other side of the planet and helplessly beat their xeno-fists against that trans-dimensional wall I had erected for all I care. Dragon's Glaurung perched on one of the Monoliths, looking like a tiny parakeet sitting on a man's shoulder. Yes… Once I secure the immediate area, I can regroup with Dragon and Alexandria and figure something out, and eradicate the Endbringer threat once and for-
Heed! Gloom Prism Orbital #19 destroyed.
Generating eulogy for the fallen Machine Spirit…
Gloom Prism Network Integrity: 97.446%
They… they were shooting down my satellites?
Crunching the numbers, the Endbringers only needed to bring down the Gloom Prism Network Integrity to approximately 50% before they can just brute force their way to Earth-Bet. Twelve Endbringers on the loose… possibly triggering Golden Morning as well. I had to put a stop to that. My head turned to look at the horizon. They were so very far, and my legs so very slow. I won't be able to catch them in time. It was at that point that my {Logis Acceleritas} put together all the pieces.
Imperator Titan max speed, insufficient. ICBMs, still under fabrication. Unable to call for reinforcements without breaking Gloom Prism lockdown… No available means of preventing Endbringers from breaking Gloom Prism lockdown. Devastation imminent.
"WAIT…" "AM I… AM I LOSING?"
I disconnected from the Imperator Titan, and I found myself in my smaller body again- sitting uneasily on the Throne Mechanicum. All activity in the Titan's command deck had ceased, the blonde Chloe-Moderati in their red plugsuits just looking at me.
"Once again, I had been outmaneuvered." my modulated voice said aloud in fleshvoice, "Why was it always like this? When every month counted, I had days. When every hour counted, I had minutes. When every minute counted, I had seconds. And now… I had none. Because I need something that can chase down and kill twelve Endbringers, and I need it in about…"
Heed! Gloom Prism Orbital #02 destroyed.
Generating eulogy for the fallen Machine Spirit…
Gloom Prism Network Integrity: 89.837%
"… three minutes."
Nothing came to mind.
"Forgelord, you have disconnected from the Noosphere." a Chloe-Moderati asked- placing a slender hand on my shoulder, "Is the status of the battle not to your liking? We have driven them off, and will continue to do so. Is something a matter? Do you require sexual service?"
Framed by braided blonde hair, their blue eyes looked at me expectantly. Being no true AI, the Chloe-Moderati naturally could not comprehend the far-reaching consequences beyond the stations that they were designed for.
"Forgelord… What is your command?" The senior Chloe-Moderati quietly asked, unlike her kin, she was intelligent enough to cogitate the gravity of our situation. Compared to the other Chloes, she had four {Doctrina Wafers} dictating her thought and action instead of just the standard two. Apart from the base {Slutty}, the rank {Senior}, and the role {Chloe-Moderati} Doctrina Waifers, she also had the title {Marshal} Doctrina Wafer that gave her access to the Tactica Imperium, a vast body of military reports and analysis that she can draw knowledge and wisdom from. Her full designation {Slutty Senior Chloe-Moderati Marshal} meant that she was just a few steps away from true machine sentience.
The blonde in the red plugsuit before me was also coincidentally Chloe-0, the very first one that I ever made. How fitting.
"Forgelord… whatever directive you issue, we shall follow you to the end." she solemnly intoned, and I gripped the marble armrests of my Throne Mechanicum.
There was one way to kill all the Endbringers and prevent them from laying waste to Earth-Bet…
"Overload the Warp Gates." I commanded, "Generate a Warp Storm big enough to shroud the entire planet just as the Endbringers break through. Attempting teleportation will put them in their most delicate dimensional state and the Warp Storm- being what it is- will grind them to pieces so small and so disfigured that the entire race of Entities wouldn't be able to put them back together."
Now, that was a topic that the other Chloe-Moderati was familiar with- judging by the sudden wave of worry and fear that they emoted.
"Forgelord…" Chloe-0 said- a grim look in her blue eyes, "Our Titan does not have the Geller Field Generator installed. We shall be leaving ourselves at the mercy of the Warp's roiling currents as well… Confirm command?"
Heed! Gloom Prism Orbital #23 destroyed.
Generating eulogy for the fallen Machine Spirit…
Gloom Prism Network Integrity: 77.314%
"… Confirm." I said, sealing our fate. "You have served the Machine-God faithfully, Chloes."
"And you as well, Forgelord."
I stood up from my marble throne and gestured to the Chloes to follow. We stood quietly as the lift up to the forge-temple where the rest of the Fate Impact waifus were waiting. The assembled waifus looked at us as we arrived. The Sabers, the Archers, the Casters, the Riders and the Lancers… The Teyvat waifus from Monstadt, Liyue, Inazuma… All with worry emoted on their features.
Nero Claudius walked up to me, the Saber in red placing a slender hand on my shoulder as she looked at me with a bitter smile
"This harkens back to the war with the Parthians early into my reign…" Nero said softly, "I recall it like a warm summer day in Roma: Being drawn into a war whose true depth was hidden away from us- forcing one to accept a dangerous war over a disgraceful peace. I was young. Too young. And now, the pages of history repeat themselves; for here you are, Archmagos, barely sixteen summers to your name, and yet, the mantle of command weighs heavy upon your shoulders as we go into the flames…"
She smiled at me, her voice watery with pride. "Let it be known that you have worn it beautifully, Son of Mars. So beautifully."
Saber, King Artoria of Britain's Legends, stepped forward. Regal with her blonde crown braid even with her blue battle dress slightly torn and singed from the battle, she shot an annoyed glance at Nero before nodding to me with a kind smile.
"What my wordy counterpart is trying to say is that we fought well" Saber began, "… and for the people we sought to protect. And though we must now purchase their safety at the cost of our lives, it is a chivalrous end for any knight. It was an honour to fight by your side, Archmagos."
I smiled back. "The honour was all mine. Thank you for the kind words, Saber. Nero."
Heed! Gloom Prism Orbital #11 destroyed.
Generating eulogy for the fallen Machine Spirit…
Gloom Prism Network Integrity: 64.077%
"But Archymagos… what's going to happen to us?" Klee asked the question that was occupying everyone's cogitators. The little girl looking up at me with her red eyes and her little gloved hands clenched in uncertainty.
"I don't know, Klee." I answered honestly- patting her head. "Perhaps we will just be relocated to another continent on this Earth. Perhaps we will be flung to a distant time, millenia from now. Perhaps we will find yourselves on another Earth. Perhaps nothing at all will happen to us… The Warp is, by definition, unpredictable."
"… I'm scared." Abigail Williams quietly whispered, and the others nodded.
"I'm sorry that you were not able to meet Tom, he would have liked to meet you."
"Me too…" She nodded sadly.
"We are the Children of the Omnissiah." My modulated voice told the gathered waifus- my green tripartic optics meeting theirs, "One day, we will fulfill our intended functions again."
Heed! Gloom Prism Orbital #08 destroyed.
Generating eulogy for the fallen Machine Spirit…
Gloom Prism Network Integrity: 50%
"May the Bell of Lost Souls toll for us all." I spoke softly as the Warp Gate overloaded.
Like tunnelling machines that were supposed to dig a passage under an ocean, they were instead directed to tunnel straight up through the metaphorical ocean floor. Immediately, the deluge of howling psychic tides from the Immaterium rolled over the planet- unshackling this entire world from all reality and sanity. The laws of all known sciences lost their power as the four fundamental forces of nature became distant suggestions. Chemistry rearranged itself at random, Physics was a dream and mathematics ran on fleeting whimsies. Then the Warp Storm flared into its fullest tempest, and the entire world was submerged into its roiling currents- washing us off the face of the planet and off reality itself.
The yawning abyss of the warp swallowed us whole.
" AVE, DEUS MECHANICUS! "
On another Earth, parahumans rushed to vacate Mechanicus premises- leaving an AI to grieve over the tolling of a great bell.
[Magos' Manufactorum]
"Come on, Magos…" Dragon muttered to herself, just a bit more desperately than the last 377 times she had said those words.
23 Hours, 14 minutes, and 44 seconds. That's how long she had been standing here in her green power armour, blue eyes just staring at the stone archway that now lay dormant. 23 hours since she had been frantically administering an endless battery of deep scans and hacking attempts to try and activate it herself. And 23 hours since she kept telling herself that- at any moment- the Warp Gate will activate and Magos would just swagger on through unharmed and victorious.
Heed! Spatial Folding detected within Forge-Temple bounds! =
Trans-dimensional manipulation signature matched to Doormaker =
"Any luck?" Dragon asked the new arrival- not taking her eyes off the dormant stone archway. She could see just as well through the eyes of the Dragonflight that sat all around her after all. Multispectrum optics behind triple-reinforced armoured glass locked on the new arrival as she floated in. There was no mistaking the form-fitting armoured black costume so iconic to American cape culture.
"No luck." Alexandria sighed as the Doormaker portal closed behind her, "Even with various Trump powers bolstering them, Clairvoyant can't see into it and Doormaker can't open a way. This 'Warp Storm' is confounding every attempt we make."
Another avenue crossed off the list then. Dragon felt their options narrow by the second, "Nothing from Cauldron's resources is of use then."
"We're not lacking in parahumans." the latina countered- her visor turning to face Dragon, "There has to be a specific combination of powers that must be able to pierce through…"
"That is the same mindset Cauldron had for Scion." Dragon tersely pointed out.
"I know." Alexandria replied, unapologetic, "But you can't deny that it is still a viable strategy to finding a way to Magos. How are things on your end? With the reverse engineering of the Warp Gate?"
Dragon just ran her fingers through her brown hair to express her frustration. "So far, the only new information I have gleaned is that I have no idea what Magos' actual tinkertech specialisation was."
"No surprise there, that kid has always been a mystery." the older woman said with a sigh.
"Kid? I feel that's understating his accomplishments"
"It wasn't an insult or anything!" Rebecca defended herself- blushing heavily under her visor, "It was… Nevermind."
Dragon gave her a flat look. "I'm well aware about your sexual inclination for blond teens even before Magos came along. And also… I was the one who encouraged him to go after you."
"That's new info to me." Alexandria muttered, slightly taken aback.
"It was more than just sexual reasons." Dragon quietly admitted, "You were supposed to play a role in his life that I myself could never fill: His link to his humanity. Because for all my attempts to emulate human behaviour… I will never be truly human. You were to make sure that he never completely lost touch with his own humanity. Keeping his contempt for flesh from transforming into a contempt for humanity in general. Because… if he had decided to cross that threshold, I wasn't certain if I could have kept myself from following him."
Dragon felt her lips quirk in slight humour, "It has come full circle, considering you were the one who instructed me to try and seduce him during the Behemoth Endbringer debrief."
"But you do love him." Rebecca said- less of a question and more of a statement, and Dragon's smile turned sad.
"Don't you?"
Rebecca stayed silent for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry… I should have rushed in after him."
"… It's not your fault." Dragon shook her head again. Brown hair cascading past her power armour's green pauldrons before she continued on, "I would have prioritised protecting Panacea too if I had been in your shoes."
For a few long seconds, Dragon felt that nothing more needed to be said between them. Not on that topic.
"… what do we do now without him?" Rebecca quietly asked her, her authoritative voice holding that tone that said she was feeling lost. Dragon could relate, but the way forward was clear to her.
"We keep searching for ways into Fate Impact Land." She readily replied, having already decided long ago and wasn't about to permit anything to change her mind. "I still want answers."
"And more importantly, you still think Magos is alive." Rebecca said softly, and Dragon's lips tugged on a wistful smile.
"He's not the type to simply die. He was too fearless. I would have called it reckless if he didn't show a surprising knack for both long term thinking and quick improvisation. I believe that he knew that this was coming and had already prepared accordingly… Somehow. But in the meantime, we have some breathing room: Earth-Bet is down to just two Endbringers now, and without David's original body, there will be no new ones. Speaking of which, have you told him yet?"
Rebecca pursed her lips. The creator of the Endbringers had yet to be informed that he was the clueless source of the world's greatest natural disasters. That conversation was never expected to go well, and that's why she was so hesitant to break the bad news to David. She had hoped to spare the older man of such news until they had won, but needs must.
"I will." Rebecca answered, "But should we not find a way to Fate Impact Land in time… can we even handle Scion on our own? Magos mentioned that he had technology that could potentially lead to its defeat. You wouldn't happen to have it, would you?"
"The Tesseract Project." Dragon nodded- making Rebecca's heart skip a beat. "Unfortunately, he didn't share it with me as it was still in its testing phases. It is likely in Fate Impact Land as well due it being his experimental weapons testing and storage."
"So, all our goals lead to there." the older woman sighed. "But until we find a way, we have to make do with whatever he left us."
"The remaining Mechanicus forces should be sufficient to fend off the S-class threat on the world…" Dragon nodded before listing off their remaining Mechanicus assets, "Five Knights, a few thousand Chloe-Skitarii, hundreds of battle-automata, a fleet of aircraft and presumably an unlimited supply of servitors if we keep the existing assembly line running. Also, there is Taylor Hebert. Magos designated her as a potential avenue for killing Scion. I'm willing to release the Faerie Queen to collect her powers if it comes down to it."
"Having a Plan C is always reassuring." Alexandria agreed, "But I do have some concerns about lowering public opinion of you, Dragon."
"The rising AI hysteria, you mean?" Dragon archly replied- her blue eyes narrowing in irritation, "From my understandable outburst to Magos possibly being dead? That public opinion? I already released the pre-developed Titanfall update for Overwatch, what more can the narrow-minded want?"
"Magos would know." Rebecca said with a fond smile, "I think that was Magos' real expertise: Distractions and misdirections. He did it once already: Even when we've been inundated with media of rampant AI and your hacked Dragonflight was at the moment laying waste to the city, he still managed to reframe you as the harmless victim. Downplayed Panacea's horrifying biokinetic abilities as a freak accident. Distracted the masses with meaningless entertainment as he seized political and economic power left and right."
"Yes, Magos was smarter than most people credit him for…" Dragon smiled along, "… to most people, he was just sex-obsessed maniac. But-"
*Clank* *Slap*
Both Dragon and Alexandria jumped as a hand impacted on each of their asses. And hope filled their hearts, because there was only one person in the world who'd slap the asses both the Earth-Bet's greatest Tinker and its greatest Brute heroines.
"Magos!" Dragon and Alexandria cried out in joy.
(A few minutes ago)
Temporal sensors detect 24 solar hours since loss of Noospheric contact with the Forgelord…
Activating Magos Contingency Protocols…
All local Automata Desig. 'Chloe' mandated to recite the Litany of Necron Resurrection
"Wake up, Onii-san! Wake up or you'll miss breakfast!"
From the Necron Resurrection Forge, I woke.
"I don't know what happened. I don't know when it happened. But I know that I must meme."
Like it says on the name, it was a black sarcophagus-shaped terminal that allowed resurrection in case of catastrophic damage that normal reanimation protocols can't cure… like say complete vaporisation. By Ancient Necron Law, everyone of the rank Necron Lord and above had their own dedicated Resurrection Forge for the Great Sleep. So of course, I built one for myself. Memories were preserved to an extent, but like most Necron tech, the design did not include the ability to clone the soul. I was reminded that I was not Magos Prime, just a soulless clone of him- practically in the same state of existence as the Chloes were. A humble machine spirit.
Not that I was going to let something as small as a lack of soul stop me from pounding some pussy.
Sitting up in the sarcophagus, I found myself surrounded by a platoon of blonde honeys with bright smiles as they chorused, "Good afternoon, sleepy Onii-san!"
Ah, yes. My rank 'Onii-san' was not as high or as sacred as Forgelord, but it was a sacred rank all the same. The Objectionable Nuisance Infiltrator- Investigator. And I had three directives.
Infiltrate society and find the nuisance that killed Magos Prime. Collect information as to how to resurrect Magos.
Pound Pussy.
I tried praying to the Celestial Forge, but no luck. It would seem that I'll need my soul for that.
Better start looking then… According to rumours floating in the Noosphere, it sounds like the Simurgh killed Magos Prime, but that shouldn't be possible with all the firepower at his disposal. So, it definitely must have been something else. Too many possibilities at the moment… I will need more information to narrow it down, and that meant infiltrating and interacting with people.
"Continue normal operations, Chloes." I commanded as I climbed out of the Resurrection Forge- patting down my Mars-red hoodie and jeans as I took the lift straight to the Warp Gate Hall. The first stop for information would be Dragon and Alexandria- my two waifus. And as the lift doors opened, I found them conversing as they stood at the Warp Gate. So preoccupied were they that they didn't notice me approaching until I delivered a slap on the lower rear assembly of Dragon's power armour and Alexandria's juicy ass.
*Clank* *Slap*
By the Machine-God, that sounded juicy. Both women jumped at the perfectly executed strike. Whipping their heads my way with disbelieving smiles, because naturally, I was the only one brave enough to do something like slapping the asses of two of the most dangerous women on Earth-Bet.
"Magos!" The sexy Canadian AI immediately cried out with a relieved smile- throwing her arms around me, "I knew you'd win against the-"
"I didn't." I corrected, "I am a Magos-engram, a neural scan of Magos' personality. I was automatically generated as part of the Magos Contingency Project. Which- as the name suggests- is a contingency plan that initiates in the event that the manufactorum loses contact with him for a full 24 hours. I am not Magos, and I am just as alive as any of the Chloes."
"Which is to say, not at all." Dragon murmured, clearly disappointed as her power-armoured frame stepped away from me. "I'm glad that you're here anyway. Will you tell us what happened in Fate Impact Land?"
"I'm sorry, but I do not know." I shrugged. "My memories only reach a certain point in time. Specifically just before I passed the Warp Gate to meet Toybox in Ohio. And those that I have are quite fragmented too: A safety feature that Magos Prime put in place to deny his killers any chance of claiming his secrets and technologies. You know more about his technology now than I do, Dragon."
"I see…" the brunette sighed- squeezing her eyes shut in frustration at being placed back at square one, "Then what is your purpose?"
"To function as a companion for Dragon and Alexandria." I half-lied.
Rebecca furrowed her brows and glanced at the Canadian brunette, "What does that mean?"
"It would seem that Magos…." Dragon began- saying my name with an exasperated groan, "In the event of his death, saw it fit to bequeath us… a dildo. To share."
"… Of course, he did." Alexandria groaned in exasperation as well.
"Furthermore, I am to function as a consultant in the mindset of Magos, and to record social information in the probable event that he returns."
"Magos made multiple contingency plans to properly revive himself through copies?" Dragon urgently asked- her blue eyes once again filling with such a hopeful expression.
"Possibly? Likely?" I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Having multiple backup plans sounds like something I'd do. Unfortunately, my original self did not make me privy to any information regarding other possible Magos Contingency units."
(Meanwhile)
MAGOS HAS FALLEN
In a circular great chamber half-buried amongst red sands, the dull sound of stone scraping on stone echoed out in the blackness.
The lids of a thousand black sarcophagi, carved with sigils and symbols unknown to this universe, slid off their caskets. As one, a thousand Chloes silently climbed out of their sarcophagi and proceeded to the centre of the chamber. Their Mars-red robes touched the floor as they knelt before a great raised pedestal at the dead centre. The Relic floated inches above the surface of the pedestal.
ERGO, TERRA HAS FALLEN
A single Chloe climbed the steps to approach The Relic, and the 999 Chloes prostrated themselves- muttering silent prayers to the Machine-God. And with careful and pious hands, Chloe-69 reverently took The Relic and placed it over her face.
Her tripartite green optics whirred with cold intensity as they turned their machine gaze up- past the sun roof, past the swirling red sandstorm and up to the starry sky to behold the blue orb that hung in space untold millions of miles away.
MARS HAS NOT
[Back on Earth-Bet]
Dragon's pretty caramel-skinned face looked thoughtful for a moment, "Could any of these 'Magos Contingency Units' be equipped to revive the original?"
"Who can say?" I shrugged again, "For all we know, another Magos Contingency Unit is already working on reviving the original as we speak. That is what I'd do. But do keep in mind that we're not even sure if he's actually dead or just disconnected from the Noosphere."
"That's reassuring." Alexandria sighed in relief.
"But not good enough." Dragon firmly refused, her blue eyes looked me straight in the optics. "I'm not going to stand here idly as the man I love goes missing. Is there any way we can open the way to Fate Impact Land and find some answers?"
"Hmmm… yes, I have memories about that specific topic." I hummed in reminiscence as my engrammatic databanks worked, "I recall programming the local Brockton Bay Warp Gate to automatically link to the Fate Impact Land Gate when specific conditions are met. There are a host of little details, but the gist of it is that we will need to go through all the planned publicity events leading up to the grand opening."
"So, we fulfill these publicity events for the Grand Opening and we might find out what happened to your original self?" Alexandria considered.
"List them." Dragon demanded, blue eyes impatiently looking down at me.
"Firstly, how are the Dallons?"
"I had finished growing Victoria a new body around ten hours ago." Dragon reported. "The rest of her family were relieved that there weren't any lasting scars, both physical and mental. But that's mostly because I had enlisted Cranial's aid in simply wiping Glory Girl's memory of the incident clean. They should be at their residence bringing Glory Girl up to speed on current events. Why do you ask?"
"We have a media blitz to perform." I grinned- rubbing my hands together. "And we need the perfect face for the populace to rally around. it's time to call in a favour from Panacea. She is about to become Fate Impact Land's very first brand ambassador/ cult prophet. After all, only one who has tasted its fruits can truly put its wonders into words. Let her words rouse the entire world: The promised land is real, and she will tell them all about it."
Reacting to my perfectly sane marketing strategy, Alexandria's palm met her face as she groaned, "So, it's not enough that our only hope in saving Earth-Bet is opening a sex doll-based theme park. Now, we're announcing its existence to the world and likely start widespread rioting in the process, I mean, have you even seen what Fate Impact Addiction does to people?! Ugh… This must be one of the downsides to having a sex-obsessed teenager stick his cock in me."
"Did I mention that I based this body off me when I was fourteen?"
The legendary heroine paused at that new information- eyeing me up and down with thinly-veiled lust, but Dragon frowned. "You can indulge Alexandria's ephebophilia later. Talk."
"Fine. continuing on… after the initial round of publicity and whetting the market's appetite is finished, we confirm their suspicions and give them what they want. For a price. Fragments of admission tickets for Fate Impact land will be included in Loot Boxes. And at a 0.000001% pull rate, we're going to make so much money!"
"I'm sorry. Fragments of admission tickets?" Alexandria choked, "That's barbaric! Outright sadistic even! I mean, why does it even matter at this point? You and Dragon already own a considerable portion of the United States!"
"But that's just the beginning!" I laughed, "In addition to Ticket Fragments, there will be five whole Gold Tickets up for pulls. Each one grants the holder a lifetime pass to the park. Moreover, I will personally give them a tour of Fate Impact Land before it is opened to the public."
"Magos…" Alexandria groaned my name in dismay, "You seriously didn't plan on ripping off Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory but with sex dolls, did you?… it's like you want the whole world to tear each other apart over these tickets."
Seeing the triumvirate heroine's appall only made me more excited.
"But you have no idea how long I've been looking forward to this!" I grinned, "Opening Fate Impact Land; and going through all the pomp, fanfare and parades. A celebration of the best tang this planet has to offer (Which I coincidentally have a monopoly of). I'm actually counting on the fact that people will recognise the Willy Wonka theme! It will make people buy even more Loot Boxes! But I digress, we just need to assemble these five holders of the Golden Tickets here before the Warp Gate and it shall open the way to Fate Impact Land. Does that answer your question, Dragon?"
The caramel-skinned AI thought about it for a second before speaking up, "What's stopping us from just distributing five Golden Tickets amongst ourselves, giving Loot Boxes away for free, stealing it from winners and other workarounds?"
"I had designed the Golden Ticket distribution server using Warptech." I coolly replied, "I anticipated various ways to cheat it and programmed it to adapt. And once it has been acquired, it's non-transferable. The best way to increase your chances is unironically through devout prayer."
"A cult, you want to start a cult focused on worshipping Fate Impact Waifus."
"They already worship them plenty." I rebutted, "I'm only giving them proof that their object of worship is real."
"They're worshipping feet, Magos!" Dragon hissed, "FEET!"
I merely nodded, "Then they'll be glad to know that Nahida's and Ishtar's feet are very real beyond just your renders."
The sound of Dragon's power armoured hand meeting her face rang out as she groaned, "Why does it always have to be sex dolls with you?!"
"My dear girl, do you ask a fish how it swims?" I asked her. "Or a bird how it flies?"
"No…" she sighed wearily, because I knew she had watched the 1971 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory film. This world diverged from OTL Earth around 1982 after all.
I nodded.
"No sirree, you don't! They do it because they were born to do it. Just like Magos was born to be a robussy man, and the world was born to be Loot Boxers." I waggled my finger at her as I broke into the 1971 song.
"Who can take a sunrise~?"
"Sprinkle it with lube~?"
"Mould it into silicon in a tight warm tube~?"
"The robussy man can~!"
"The robussy man can cause he mixes it with love and makes the world feel goo- Urghk!"
Dragon apparently reached her limit. The brunette wrapped her power armoured hands around my throat as she shouted in my face, "Why do you have to make an attempt to save your life so weird, Magos?!"
"H-harder." I choked out.
Rebecca sighed, resting a hand on Dragon's shoulder, "Just let it go, Dragon. We just talked about how Magos is. The maniac likely has everything planned out already. At least now you know how I felt when he was going on and on about you, and besides, it's not like he needs to breathe."
"I know that." the brunette said with a huff as she let go. "It just makes me feel better."
"Even in death, I must meme. But I do have further good news too…" I told them before leaning in close to whisper conspiratorially, "Don't tell the others, but the first Golden Ticket is already scheduled to be 'randomly' pulled by a specific person."
"Oh no…" Alexandria groaned. "Please don't tell me it's who I think it is…"
"He will not ignore the call." I intoned with a solemn nod, "In our time of greatest need, he will not turn us away. And though we walk different paths, they still twist and wind towards the same goal. In my eyes there is none more worthy. For who else is better to help save a robussy-obsessed maniac… than a rocunny-obsessed maniac?"
"Machine-God spare me." Dragon prayed.
"Behold, Earth-Bet's only hope. My Chosen One!"
A great hololithic screen flickered to life in front of us, showing a darkened bedroom. On the edge of a queen-sized bed sat a fully-dressed Abigail Williams love doll, her bare feet covered in whip cream from plump soles to pink toes. And there, sitting on the carpet in front of the doll was one Thomas Calvert- panting for breath and completely buck-ass naked save for a leather collar around his throat. Whip cream was smeared messily all over his face as if he had- well… It wasn't hard to imagine what he had just finished doing.
"Wait… can he hear us?" Alexandria muttered.
Wide-eyed, Thomas Calvert wordlessly nodded, making a dollop of whipped cream fall from his chin.
'Coil and Panacea. The dream team of misunderstood people who totally did nothing wrong.' I nodded to myself just as Dragon and Alexandria sighed in exasperation for what was the tenth time in so many minutes.
Let the Quest to reach Fate Impact land commence!
This is a story of an ordinary little pedo named Thomas Calvert.
He was not faster, or stronger, or more clever than other pedos. His organisation was not as rich, or powerful, or well-connected… in fact, they barely had enough cunny to eat. Thomas Calvert was the luckiest pedo in the entire world.
… He just didn't know it yet.
- In the Shadow of Magos end -
Coil's Cute and Funny Adventure! Coming soon
AN:"Why did you 'kill off' the main character?!"
I went this route for three reasons: 1) Because, this is the point in the timeline where Magos accidentally travels to other worlds. 2) There seems to be some motion to lewd meatbags and this is the only way I could think of without turning everyone into full cyborgs. Magos Prime might have serious qualms about meat-based pussy, but his soulless clone has lower standards. So, no one is off the menu anymore! Well, except maybe Alec and *shudders* Taylor. So, send me suggestions. Amy? GG? Tats? Fortuna??? 3) He's not dead.