Chapter 2- OTHER

"Interesting... She was moving along in predictable fashion until recently. What changed?"

The feline cloaked in shadow ran the black-furred fingers of her left hand under her chin in contemplation, as she emerged into the familiar light of the ARK. Her right slid across the wall of the hallway leading from the center of this place she called home. She liked the way it felt. Cold, yet vibrating with energy. Humming with consistent, predictable power. A playground of infinite possibilities and endless experimentation. This deviation from her plans filled her with excitement, not disappointment. What fun would there be without unplanned divergences?

"Oh, do I have some questions for you, little one. I look forward to meeting you at last." She said with unchecked pleasure, licking her lips in anticipation.

Nicole was quick to make a mental map of her surroundings, yet she had a nagging feeling that this was a mere fraction of what this ARK had to offer. There were countless differences between what she knew from Shadow's disc that contained his recordings of the space station, and what was present here. Already she could tell there were plenty of modifications. Rerouting of power. Re-purposing of existing technologies...

Returning to the pool that she emerged from, she ran her hand through it and was shocked to find that same feeling from the fabric of the clothing she wore.

These nanites are what my body was created from. That means that my consciousness is held somewhere in this ARK, probably in the core mainframe... If I hope to escape this place, I have to locate the central server as soon as I am able to.

A sudden noise, akin to something scraping across the ground, startled the lynx as it resounded throughout the halls further in. "Who's there?" Nicole's plea echoed through the corridors, but nothing replied to her nervous call. Gritting her teeth, she flung herself into that mechanical maze once again.

It was quite entertaining watching this one rush through her halls, like a rat in a testing lab. Yet, something about the Lynx's appearance seemed too... What's the word? Confident. This wasn't the first time she had made a game of this in her spare time, of which she had plenty. However...

"Direct her toward the living quarters. Perhaps I will take a different approach with this one..."

Having exhausted most of the known areas she traversed before, Nicole was beginning to grow impatient. Her hands were shaking from a creeping terror that was building to a fever pitch. Tracing her path back towards the supply lockers, she couldn't help but notice the consistent scratches along the walls, seconds before the nanites rushed in to cover the trail.

This was done on purpose. I am clearly being toyed with here.

As she neared the door leading back to the blue lit room, the walls lit up again, this time in a purple color. The patterns led back the way she came and the lynx huffed in disapproval. This feeling of helplessness was a most unwelcome one. Much of her abilities that she had prior were taking far too long to relearn, as this body had a physical presence that took far more nanites to reproduce.

The most she was able to do was summon up a rudimentary transparent shield to block attacks. Her phasic nature; that would take a little bit longer to figure out, since she didn't have ready access to her digital self at the moment. She was at a clear disadvantage here, and whoever was in charge of this place knew that.

Now that I think about it, that voice referred to me as Administrator. It also knew my name. Could it be...?

The realization hit her as a nearby doorway opened up to a far warmer interior, with luxurious blue carpeting and purple lined walls. A nearby LED screen flashed the words "Living Quarters" as she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Ah!" Nicole cried out as she rocketed upward, turning in the air as she landed, coming to rest on her hind paws with shield drawn. A patch of the carpet came off the ground, confirming to her that it was nanite infused material as well. That was the least of her concerns as she brought her gaze to the one who intruded upon her personal space. To her shock, she was now looking at...herself!?

"Greetings, little one. My name is NICOLE." The name forced itself into her mind as such, perhaps to differentiate the two. They would be mirror images of each other otherwise, nearly identical except for the fact that this one carried herself with an unbridled confidence and...dominance.

"Have a seat." A chair formed itself out of a swath of carpet, the fabrics twisting and reshaping themselves for the required task. Through half-lidded eyes, the other lynx looked over Nicole's body with... curiosity? Amusement? It was incredibly difficult to read her expressions. Nothing about this one seemed genuine and her backlit green eyes put her on edge. They were akin to the piercing gaze of a keen predator. "I insist."

Hesitantly, Nicole came to rest on the chair and found it surprisingly comfortable. Clearly, this was something the woman was clearly adept at through years of practice.

Hold on. Just *how* old is this... NICOLE?

Just as I thought. The copy's features line up perfectly, enhanced by that personality software I introduced into the servers the night before. That "Stargazer" patch. It was supposed to be a benign cultivation of nanites to be reintegrated into myself upon completion, yet it somehow gained sentience. Fascinating.

NICOLE could see that the little one was fearful of her, despite her welcoming gestures. Perhaps they could skip the pleasantries and go right to testing. There was untapped potential to be mined here at the very least.

"You're the administrator, correct? I apologize for taking some of your clothes." Ah, yes. *That* breach of security. What she had taken was harmless, but the implications... NICOLE shifted her weight and with crossed arms regarded the little one with a warm smile. A practiced smile.

"No harm done. Just a mere case of mistaken identity. We are very similar, you and I." Judging by the other's more scrunched up muzzle, that fact did not comfort her one bit. NICOLE had a feeling she knew why. Call it experience. "I know what you're thinking. 'She could easily take me apart, the same as she did the carpet just moments prior.' No. That only works on inert nanite particles primed to be reworked in such a manner."

The muscles relaxed on the girl's shoulders, and her tensed fur settled as well. A good sign. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you like. I believe we have many experiences to share, you and I... First, tell me this, did you retain any memories after finding yourself here? Be honest."

Suddenly, those wide open eyes narrowed to a sharp glare pointed directly at her. Perhaps she had been too direct. "I need access to the central server. You are housing my digital core there. I want to know why. We can talk about 'memories' then."

Where was *this* resolve coming from? Most curious... I will play along for the time being.

"A precautionary measure by the ARKs security systems, nothing more. Its primary purpose is to stave off virtual intrusions into my network. Do not worry little one, if you follow me we will have this matter resolved in quick measure."

The lynx rose from her chair and gestured toward the exit with a look of determination. The girl's voice carried that delicate balance of fear and false bravado that she loved to tease out of her enemies. Heroics. "After you. Administrator." NICOLE almost had to stifle a chuckle at that display of assertiveness.

She has no idea what *I am* capable of.