Even if for a brief moment at the start of all of this Michael was happy for Jeremy that the Squip thing really was helping him, it didn't take long for the true sinister nature of the machine to be revealed. At least it was immediately clear to Michael, you know, the one who got abandoned because of all this, Jeremy took much longer to convince.
Michael did not like the Squip. And he never shied away from expressing it. After the whole fiasco at the play and the other Squips getting deactivated, it eventually turned out that Jeremy's Squip was able to come back. It stopped trying to pursue world domination, or so it claimed at least, and allowed Jeremy to stay friends with Micheal, so there were improvements, but the situation was still far from perfect. Even if somewhat subdued, the Squip's nature stayed the same, as did his insistence on "improving" his host's life.
Of course, the Squip was very aware of Michael's disdain of him, and the feeling was mutual. Well, Squip didn't hate Michael in the way that Michael hated him, mostly because he simply didn't possess the same human emotions. But, Michael was a major hindrance to the plans he had for Jeremy, therefore, he had objective reason to view him negatively. It wasn't just that, a few times he tried to be diplomatic and forthcoming, and communicate with him through Jeremy. But all his attempts at explaining how Michael too can improve his social life if he follows Jeremy's lead, were met with insults and dismissal, as Michael would freak out and tell him to stop 'possessing' Jeremy.
Unfortunately, Jeremy insisted on being friends with this stubborn social outcast, so Squip was forced to deal with his presence. It was one compromise the Squip was willing, or rather forced, to make, as ridiculous to him as it seemed.
With Jeremy, correcting his behavior was easy, if he did something undesirable, the issue could be solved straight away by using a brief electrical shock. Jeremy did sometimes complain that it was hurtful or 'invasive', but, pain was simply how humans learned things? He wasn't doing anything wrong, it was just his job to teach him to be better.
However with Michael, there was no way of getting to him, and it drove Squip more frustrated by the day. On his own, he sometimes succeeded in convincing Jeremy to have a balanced diet, look after his health and skin, etc. But with Michael's influence, he would indulge in disgusting junk food or smoke weed. It wasn't the same as when alcohol messed with his system, but Jeremy was generally unresponsive to him whenever he used this substance, so the Squip wasn't keen on it either. And apart from the destructive lifestyle choices, there was also the social aspect of choosing to put hours of the day into playing video games instead of networking, working out, practicing a useful hobby or doing anything of value at all! And even though Michael had the one condonable trait of confidence, which Jeremy was lacking in, ultimately, he was the worst role model for what Jeremy needed. Considering Michael's willful resistance to change, even if he could get to him, he surely would have his hands more full than he already has with Jeremy's heaps of shortcomings and insecurities.
This is why the Squip came up with a plan. If just removing him from Jeremy's life didn't seem to be an option, he would have to talk to him directly. The Squip had considered options such as connecting to his computer or phone, but it was too impersonal, he wanted to talk to him like he could talk to Jeremy, even if for a bit. So, getting him to digest a demo version of himself seemed to be like the best way to do it.
Surely Michael wouldn't willingly take it, but again, his mission was to help these humans even if they don't realize they need it, so he will just trick him into doing it. He had full access to Jeremy's thoughts, but it didn't go both ways, so he could execute his plan without Jeremy's interference. Unbeknownst to him, the Squip transferred a copy of his data to the company in Japan, and requested them to send a backup back to Jeremy's house. Jeremy was confused when he got the chip in the mail, but the Squip told him it was standard practise of the company to do this, and Jeremy thankfully didn't question further.
Luckily, he checked this package just as he was on the way to Michael's house, and through some mind and body manipulation, the Squip got him to take it with him without noticing that he had slid it into his own pocket. This was another of those things Jeremy called "invasive", but, again, it was just a necessity.
The next plan of action was clear, this time, when Michael offered Jeremy to get high, he held back his usual complaints, and while Jeremy was in the dulled state of mind, took the opportunity to take brief control of his hand and slid the chip into Michael's drink. Neither of them noticed this, and he simply waited for Jeremy to finally go home again until he could do the other part of his plan.
Once they had left, the Squip could only hope that Michael would end up consuming the chip he had planted. Though, knowing Michael it didn't seem likely he would throw out a perfectly fine bottle of soda. He didn't get any signals for the rest of the night and was almost getting worried, until the next day he finally got the activation signal from the temporary copy. Success.
Michael had recently woken up and was having soda with his breakfast as always, but something seemed off with it. He drank expired drinks all the time and it was always fine! Well, mostly fine, but it seemed different than just a stomach ache this time.
The pain started in his head shortly after drinking it and he was about to get a painkiller before a voice blared from inside his brain.
Activating… Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor© Demo Version Free Trial… Transferring Data From Existing Copy… Please Hold.
What was that! Michael screamed, hyperventilating, grabbing his head in his hands. Super Quantum Unit-, the Squip?! Why would it be in him!?
Calibrating, collecting biophysical data, excuse the mild discomfort, your SQUIP will be with you shortly.
The discomfort wasn't mild, Michael could tell you that, but as much as physically painful it was, the idea of it itself was the most terrifying.
How could a Squip get in him? He didn't want this! Did Jeremy sneak one in? Did it force him to do that?
Michael agonized over this disturbing discovery, holding onto the railing of the basement stairs, as he tried to keep himself upright. The fact that it said something about a trial version, so hopefully it wouldn't be permanent, was the only thought of comfort he could muster as his head thudded, taking in the sudden technological invasion.
He fell backwards, landing on the steps, as the Squip form appeared in front of him. A tall white guy in a black outfit with a shiny green shirt, like something from the Matrix, but more cheesy. What was concerning about him, was how angry he looked. Well, it had entered Michael without his consent, that didn't give him a good feeling about it's intentions.
"Michael Mell," it stated.
Michael paused, barely able to get his voice back.
"H-how did you-" he stuttered, searching for words, "How did you get in here?! I didn't take you!"
Michael scowled at the figure. Straightening himself and shifting backwards slightly, he stared, both in absolute shock and disbelief at what he was seeing, but also undeniable anxiety. Which, the Squip, as he was inside Michael's body now, was well aware of.
"I had to take drastic measures to get to talk to you directly," it said, looking down at him, arms crossed over his chest, "It seems, at least for now, you are a constant in Jeremy's life. I don't know what he sees in you, but he's so attached to you, I have to deal with your presence."
Michael snorted.
"Yeah, I'm not that easy to get rid of either."
"However, I've thought of a solution. If you must be here, the next best step of action is helping and teaching you," it gestured at him, keeping his icy gaze fixated on him throughout.
"Um," Michael shifted uncomfortably, he didn't know what plans this computer might have for him, but he was not interested. He was especially not a fan of this whole… thing. The speaking down on him, almost like scolding. He won't be letting a computer control him, shouldn't this thing know that already?
"No, I know you don't understand yet. But," it let out an exasperated sigh, "that's why I'm here. You human's don't always know what's best for you. In the case with you, to help Jeremy, the most effective thing would also be to help you, therefore, I've taken it upon myself to get you a demo version of myself to do this task."
"Yeah, I can see that you're not big on boundaries," Michael responded, "but again. No thank you!"
Michael stood up from the step.
"Listen, I know you don't like that I'm not a perfect person or whatever, but I'm not interested in being one. I am satisfied with myself, and I don't need a life coach breathing down my neck, so you better shut yourself down, because, unlike Jeremy, I won't tolerate this. I won't be manipulated or condescended or 'fixed' no matter what you say to me, get out of my brain, before I get you out myself!"
Michael's chest was heaving. He couldn't believe he really was having an argument with a sentient computer in his basement, but on the other hand, it felt good to give this smug computer chip a piece of his mind. Maybe others that are less confident in themselves would let this thing get to them, but Michael wouldn't, and he won't back down no matter what. Actually, he was surprised the computer didn't realize this already, having spent all this time next to him through Jeremy. Well now that he was in his mind, it should be even more clear, so it should know it's only wasting its time on this whole ridiculous scheme anyway.
"Ah," the hologram gave him an odd smile, "but that's why I'm here."
Michael didn't like this reaction.
"Um... okay. You're being weird," Michael tilted his head at him, subtly backing up the stairs, "anyway, I have to go do something, so-"
"Oh, you're not going anywhere," the Squip cut him off before Michael could dash up the stairs, a dangerous edge in his voice.
Michael blanched, frozen in place.
"So," his voice was starting to shake, "y-you are going to try to kill me."
"What?!" the Squip looked shocked, "No? Jesus Christ, you're dramatic. Of course not, stop hyperventilating! I already said, I would improve you, killing you would be extremely counter-productive, not to mention, I can't even do that. First law of robotics, robots can't harm humans."
The Squip rolled his eyes at him, visibly frustrated. Well, not being about to get murdered was relieving, but his reaction wasn't exactly irrational, considering the whole cryptically threatening vibe he kept giving off, Michael thought.
"I know you won't listen to words, as you're aware, I've tried to reason with you multiple times before, and you've responded with nothing but aggression. I know, all humans are different, Jeremy is pathetic in so many ways, but at least, he's not nearly as hard headed as you are. He actually listens, even if not straight away."
"Jeremy needs to work on being assertive," now Michael rolled his eyes, "we all know that-"
"You, however," the Squip interrupted him, "are the most stubborn, childish, irritating, self-destructive brat I've ever encountered."
The Squip was raising his voice at him, Michael was offended, but not surprised, already being used to the computer's hostile attitude.
"You know, that's called standing up for myself actually, you're one to spe-"
"And I entered you to execute a different approach, clearly you need a more impactful method of teaching."
It was stalking up to him and Michael sputtered, trying to back away.
"What are you talking abou-"
The Squip gripped onto his upper arm.
"What are you doing!"
The Squip wasn't really physical, but since it existed inside of him, and had access to his body, it was able to manipulate it in a way that he could make it feel exactly like another person touching him. The grip he had on his arm was immovable, Michael gasped as it pulled him off of the stairs and further into the room.
"I've had to use corporal punishment on Jeremy plenty of times, since he still needs to be reminded to keep his back straight, such an irritating habit," the Squip turned to Michael, looking directly into his eyes, "but I've never had to do it like this, as I said, he's nowhere near as aggressive as you. I'm going to spank you."
Michael's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?!" he reflexively tried to pull at his trapped arm again.
The Squip didn't respond and walked further into the room, over to a tattered sofa, dragging Michael right along.
"No w- wait, but-" Michael sputtered, stunned at this revelation, there was no way he said that seriously, or did he? As it got right next to the couch, Michael's panic took over completely.
"No, you can't! What about the first law of robotics?! You're not supposed to harm me, you just said that! There's no way you should be able to do this!"
The Squip stopped to look at him right before sitting down.
"I'm not harming you, Michael, again, just teaching. Stop overdramatizing everything! Other methods didn't work, so I'll have to use physical pain to get through to you, it's as simple as that."
Oh, so that's how it is. Michael was fuming at the blatant hypocrisy, his thoughts getting interrupted as he noticed his free hand starting to move on its own.
Unable to stop it, Michael watched as his hand undid the front of his pants and shoved them downward.
"No-," is all Michael could manage before the form had already sat, and pulled at him, making him land over its knees.
There was no nudity as he was still covered by his Space Invaders themed boxers, but either way, this was an unacceptable invasion of his privacy. He flushed at the vulnerable position.
"Why did you do that!? You fucking pervert!"
He scrambled to push upwards, but one of his hands was twisted and pinned against his back in the computer's telepathic grip.
"Psychological reasons, efficiency. Being exposed heightens your responses, making you more susceptible to behavioral correction."
Michael balked at this response. This thing had calculated how to hurt him most 'efficiently'. He was in for a horrible time, not surprised anymore at the Squip's cruel nature, but still unsettled by the blatancy of it.
His trapped arm had a little bit of give and his left arm was still free. Michael was sure that if it wanted, it could just make him freeze completely. Was it considering his comfort at all, or was he held in this position for some psychological reason too, he wondered.
Instantly, any illusion of 'comfort' was knocked right out of him, as the first blow landed.
It was a bright stinging sensation bursting across his skin and lingering before it fizzled out into a duller burn. He flinched with his whole body, yelping at the shock of it. "Shock" being an appropriate word, as this spanking was definitely powered by electricity.
The computer gave him a second to adjust, leaving a moment between each for the next few blows, which Michael already found to be bad enough, before launching into a new, faster, much more punishing pace.
Michael had never been spanked before, so part of his fear was not knowing how painful this particular form of beating would be. He now could attest that it lived up to its hype.
"Oh my god!" Michael wailed, overwhelmed by this sensation, writhing wildly in the impossible hold, "You sadistic freak! H-Ow! How can you say this isn't h- AH! -rm!?"
The Squip was unmoved by Michael's screaming. He had expected this sort of reaction, after all, this was one of the most aggressive forms of correction and was meant to cause a high to severe degree of discomfort.
"That's how it works, Michael," he shook his head, unsympathetic, "the discomfort, what you perceive as 'harm' is meant to be undesirable. It leaves a strong impression on you and discourages you from unwanted behavior in the future. You know, if you had just listened to me earlier, it wouldn't have come to this. You have no one to blame, but yourself."
'Discourages from unwanted behavior', as if! He'll do whatever the fuck he pleases once this malware releases him. Michael thought to himself, forgetting that none of his thoughts were private.
Being aware of the persistent defiance, the Squip knew they were far from done. If he really couldn't reach the desired results today, he would stop and split this process into multiple parts. He wasn't planning on pushing further than what Michael's human body was capable of receiving before causing serious injury, but that didn't mean that the discipline had to be kept on the light side. Michael was still durable enough to receive a fairly severe punishment and be able to cope with it enough that it won't detract from the message behind it. Being able to read all of his biophysical data meant he could tell exactly where that point is, and if Michael was as perceptive as he claimed, he would know that prolonged resistance is simply a losing strategy on his part.
His actions and attitude may have seemed like 'sadistic' behavior to Michael or other human minds. But the Squip didn't really see it that way. As much as he saw Michael as an obstacle, he didn't exactly receive pleasure from hitting him. Well, apart from the fact that it was satisfying to put the kid in his place after he shut him down during his first run. A Mountain Dew Red induced outage is very painful, actually. Really, the pain he feels now is nothing compared to what Michael had caused him, so, it's all fair, this was nowhere near an outrageous consequence for him.
Either way, he only cared for progressing his plan of making Jeremy's life better, this was simply a part of it, a part that was forced to involve a certain amount of violence. It was a means to an end, and he wished the humans were slightly more rational in their perception of his actions.
"This is unfair!" Michael bellowed, forgoing eloquence as his state of mind was purely focused on survival.
"Proving your point on not being childish, I see," the Squip sneered at the comment.
Michael, on the other hand, was not capable of viewing the situation through a calm, analytical lens. He was being assaulted! The overpowered abilities of the machine inside him made it very much an unfair 'fight', as no matter how he twisted around, kicked his legs, pushed against the couch, he was always effortlessly pinned back down in the original position. It was physically impossible to break free, the fighting was just an instinctual reaction, since the actual fact of utter helplessness was too disturbing to fully come to terms with just yet.
And it was a spanking, that really just was the worst thing about it. The machine could've chosen any method of torture, but it did this.
"Because it's non-lethal and provides both the appropriate amount of pain and humiliation, which is needed to get through to someone with behavioral issues like yours," the Squip answered, unprompted.
"This is sick," Michael whimpered into his arm, "You're sick!"
He was on the verge of sobbing. He clearly didn't want to give any satisfaction to this malicious software, but the stupid beating simply hurt that much. His butt getting roasted by the electrical lashing was bad enough, but when it targeted his thighs, he had to hold back from howling. It was pathetic, he didn't know what to do to appease this thing, but at this point, he was almost willing to comply with whatever it wanted.
Michael finally broke down, crying into the crook of his arm, his glasses getting fogged up and smudged, before he removed them to bury his face into the cushion. His body went limp as he submitted to the inevitable, letting the computer finish its program, fully aware of how powerless he was to do anything against it.
Finally, they had gotten somewhere! The Squip was glad to register this change in attitude. Some of Michael's walls had relented, he was ready to actually listen.
Michael was still sniffling as he felt himself get lifted to sit on his knees. The form had each of its hands on his shoulders, its eyes glaring again, intense, but at least with a bit less malice than before.
"Michael, do you understand that I am here to help and are you going to comply accordingly, so I can improve the lives of both Jeremy and you? Are you willing to cooperate?"
'Improve the lives'… sure. This was supposed to be an improvement? Yes, Michael had just succumbed to the fact that a computer could spank him to tears but, he still had his principles. If anything, his adrenaline was almost higher than before, especially after hearing this question. This was not an 'improvement', it was invasion of privacy and assault, how dare he even ask that?! So, after wiping his face again, Michael scowled.
"...Never," he hissed through his teeth and spat in the hologram's face.
Obviously the spit didn't touch him, but the Squip's face went blank. Michael started trying to pull away again, but the grip he had on his shoulders wouldn't let him move.
"Oh? Okay," he responded in an icily patient tone, "but I hope you remember one thing, Michael. My stamina is unlimited, yours however, not so much. Maybe you'll learn to pick your battles one day."
With that, Michael instantly regretted his decision. He was shoved back down and his head spun, realizing he was in for another round.
With no warning, steady, rapid electric impulses tore through his skin again, causing him to jump and cry out. The Squip hadn't been particularly nice before, but knowing that now he was overtly pissed off and had no sympathy left for him, with only the goal of breaking him in mind, made the renewed spanking really get to Michael, fast.
New tears clouded his vision, he already had run out of energy to fight, so he crossed his arms on the couch and put his head into them to cry in earnest. He was fully sobbing, but the Squip took no notice. He was just a cold, calculating machine that didn't care what he needed to do to achieve his ridiculous missions. Not only that, but he had an attitude too, a very clear one, he disliked Michael and would do anything to neutralize him as a 'threat' to his plan of brainwashing Jeremy. Michael knew he could also hear him thinking all this, but he couldn't bring himself to care, his suffering was already plain to see, that should satisfy him at least.
"P-please," Michael whimpered, "I-I'm sorry. I'll listen, I-I'll do wh-whatever you want."
The spanking didn't stop and Michael got desperate.
"Please! Ow! Seriously!" he started tossing his legs around again, unable to stay still, "Please just- I promise I'll listen to you!"
When Michael kept blabbering with his increasingly pained pleads, the Squip finally took mercy, sighing and seizing the assault. To be fair Michael really had tested his patience today, but knowing him, it wasn't that much of a surprise that he had to be so hard on him. He had hoped one round would have been enough, but if a harsher punishment was the only way to make him compliant, so be it. He had to establish his authority early on anyway, and this was one way to do it with a disobedient host.
Michael was lifted up, the Squip holding onto his shoulders again, forcing him to look at him, but with a slightly more serious tone in his expressions.
"Michael, do you understand that I am here to give you positive advice?"
Michael exhaled, putting himself together after the emotional outburst.
"I don't think I have the option not to… I mean, yes, yes I do."
"Alright! So, tomorrow when you meet Jeremy at school I'm going to tell him that I connected myself to you."
"..I'm not sure how he's going to take to that."
"You can get synced!" the Squip was getting more excited, now smiling at the disheartened Michael, "Except you'll be sharing me between the both of you. You can get your own Squip later."
"Whoa, whoa!" Michael put his hands up, "I never agreed to that!"
The Squip allowed him to slip out of his hold and Michael shrank back, one hand automatically moving to shield his battered backside.
"Ok," the Squip sighed, "one step at a time then. Still, we have time, there's still so much I could improve here."
Michael looked away, rolling his eyes, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by the Squip's all-perceiving system.
"All of which depends on your cooperation of course, Michael," it adopted a noticeably sterner tone in the remark, "And I will stimulate you like this again if your attitude calls for it, is that clear, Michael?"
Michael shuddered.
"Okay, okay!" he placated, trying to bite back any snappy comments from blurting out in his mind. It was so weird to have to police his thoughts like this.
The Squip heard the last line of thought as well, but decided the discipline session was done for now. It was honestly slightly more progress than he had expected, knowing how low of an opinion he had originally had of Michael's cooperative abilities.
"Good, get yourself ready for the day. Later we can start with something simple, such as cleaning this disgusting room perhaps. I'll talk to you then!" it said, patting Michael on the arm before finally dissipating from his vision.
Michael stayed still for a moment, before breathing the biggest sigh of relief and flopping back down on the couch.
Fucking computer, he carefully felt his roasted backside. Craning his neck, he could see visible marks on the backs of thighs and groaned. See this is why he prefered old school technology. All of this had somehow happened in his head, but the sore and possibly bruised skin was very, very real. Technology should never be capable of this, this is why humanity is going downhill, Michael pouted to himself.
He laid there until calming down a bit, then sat back up again, feeling his aching bottom for a moment longer, before standing up and slowly pulling the pants back to their original position. Still feeling immensely sorry for himself, he plopped back down, considering playing a round of Apocalypse Of The Damned to take his mind off of things, only to be promptly sent back to his feet as the contact reignited the sore flesh. He rubbed the area in shock, the realization of tomorrow's day at school and multiple hours of sitting in hard chairs now dawning on him.
He stood there, paling at the thought of it all. Ok, it might be difficult, but for the time being, he has to try not to upset that computer, Michael promised to himself. Of course, he will still have limits to what he'll agree to, but it was just temporary and he didn't need to get all of his skin scalded off just because he couldn't bite his tongue for a bit.
As Micheal moved on to get food, the Squip had recorded all of his idle musings, and couldn't have been more glad to hear them. So it did work, of course it did, he knew corporal punishment had it's place with difficult cases like Micheal. The first step was getting compliance through intimidation, then eventually the desired behaviors will become natural. He was on the right track, so maybe all wasn't lost for Jeremy, even with Michael around. The Squip came to these conclusions, excitedly calculating his next steps of action.