External functionality nominal.
Designated Vanguard Macy Adams
Physical integrity…17%
Life Expectancy…99.999%
Query: Direct action required?
Answer: Negative.
Activating Aquatic Nanite Module stabilization protocols…
Active.
Deploying nanites from Bloodchaser system…
Improvements upon fabrication and distribution system logged.
List compiled from prior internal queries.
Checking internal processes.
Done.
Compiling readout…
Personality_Core active and stable.
Knowledge_Core active and stable.
Protectorate_System_Connection nominal.
External systems are stable.
Vanguard is sufficiently stable to converse with.
Commencing rousing…
A layman’s parsing of the information processing of the Class XII Protectorate AI, Kyos
Macy…are you able to wake up?
My eyes fluttered as I groaned in pain.
“Did someone get the number of that bitch?” Sloshed out of my mouth as I shifted around, realizing that I had machinery moving around me as I woke.
Twenty-Four Variant O.
“Thank ya,” I grinned loopily.
I may need to provide you with stimulant drugs to at least keep you awake enough to speak.We only have a limited time if we want to get this moving now.We’re still in an active incursion.
“Right…so, is the total time of this whole shebang two days still?”
Around two hours less, thanks to the quick install of the Huntress’ Eye Cerebral Augment.
“Woo!’ I went to shoot my hands up in a victorious gesture but found myself bound down to the cushions at the bottom of the Anemone. “Dang it,” I mumbled.
I needed to restrain you due to your injuries, which are quite extensive. You are also partially concussed, so your brain is probably running suboptimally.
“Optimal, shmoptinal, did you see me climb that cuttlefish?” I giggled like a schoolgirl.
Yes. Yes, I did. Once again: Feral shark. Deeply feral.
Even wider grin and even more rabid giggles. I was lucky to have the restraints on my body. Otherwise, I would have been flailing in my hysterics. After a minute or so, my breathing reached a reasonable rate, and I settled back down. The headiness of the laughter had brought me to a more aware state, though by the fact that I was still holding back a couple of giggles, I wasn’t completely back in perfect form for the brain, let alone more than halfway.
“Alright, now that I’ve gotten most of that out of my system…,” I paused to hold back a little bit of the giggles at nothing in particular. Them’s some good painkillers. “Let’s figure out what I should do with all these points I’ve gotten.”
Well, while you have been asleep, the placement of your Anemone has begun to assist with the evac site on the bridge. Thus, you will be receiving 1 point for every three people you assist in making it to and through the evac point.
“Hmm…is it possible to get more points by placing down a Mark II resonator or two nearby?” I wondered.
I’d bring it up to 1 point every two. Passive kills are not meant to give you as many points as you would get normally, but you would be placing more direct effort into doing so.
“Let’s get two. They’ll pay for the investment.” I smiled, settling on the decision.
You got it. I shall place them in the best positions possible within the range I can influence.
New Purchase!
Mark II Sonar Resonator x 2 = 1000 points
Points reduced to…8267
“Hot damn, how many points was the Twenty-Four?”
Well done on the kill, by the way.
“Nice. So, what’s on the list?” I asked as I winced, feeling the bones in my legs beginning to be reconstructed as I spoke.
Firstly, let us start with the basics. Two catalogs will be required for this process: Class I Genetics and Class I Dream Learning. The Class I Genetics will allow you to gain the ability to manipulate your DNA into that of the template within your Stalhas Technologies catalog and give the Anemone something to work with in regard to rebuilding you from the ground up.
Normally, an additional catalog would need to be bought to facilitate this process, something like Class I Viral Editing, but your Class II Stalhas Nanotechnology can provide nanites that can do the same thing. In some cases, the nanites will be faster than the viral editing, hence why it’s only taking less than two days and not a week.
“Huh…,” I quietly let fall from my mouth. I knew what Kyos was talking about. Viral editing was something I had researched during my time in college due to the possible uses in genetic editing to revive lost species. I knew that the processes involved took much longer than the time it would take for this incursion to end, and by that time, something could come by and break the Anemone open and eat me, like a mollusk being plundered for its meat.
“Yeah, ok. So, dream learning as well? How exactly does that work? Just like on the tin?”
Pretty much. Further upgrades to the catalog can even allow for what is essentially daydream learning. However, we don’t need to focus on that for now. We just need the initial catalog and a few courses to assist you.
“...” I sighed, “What kind of classes are we talking about?”
Classes on underwater physics, aquatic combat, and high-speed tactical reasoning. Going down the list, your understanding of underwater physics is…rudimentary at best, and the reason why, at worst, you will shatter every bone in your body from your own antics, even with the upgrades you will be getting.
“I know I’m not Foxfire, but am I really that bad?” I gave a nervous huff.
Macy, I love you, but the amount of friendly fire that you took from your own explosions while you were swimming to the shore was nothing less than emotionally taxing. Which says a lot. Because I have full and complete control over my emotions.
“...Point taken. Next up is pretty self-explanatory. I know how to dive and swim, but my combat IQ was only saved by my liberal use of said self-harming explosions.”
Indeed. And the last course, High-Speed Tactical Reasoning, is something that will allow you to learn how to use all your senses at the max speed that the Mark II Bloodchaser can take you in battle, as well as the speed of the Class III version you may get in the future. It will also teach you mental shortcuts and strategies to assist you in reasoning at most any speed but will focus primarily on your mobilized state and reasoning within that.
“Right. Ok. So, next up, let’s talk about body stuff now.”
Indeed. The first question I’d like to ask you about your ideal body would be how far you’d be willing to move from the human form to something closer to the Stalhas peoples?
That…was a good question. Did I like my human body?
… Ok, stupid question.
“How much would all the way do?” I asked.
A screen deployed within my augs that displayed what I could only guess was a model Kyos built of my new body. It showed me a me with much more toned muscles and much different skin that was colored the same as a shark’s and similar to my wetsuit’s design except the grey was a little darker. There were also fins that were sharp as hell, teeth meant for ripping, a shark-like snout to go with it, and a tail that would work perfectly with the Bloodchaser. But no hair. Anywhere. Not even the top of the head.
While on the one hand, everything else was neat. It was still not too far off the human form, but it was built distinctly in a way that wasn’t human. I liked it… beside the no hair part. I liked my hair. Hell, I wanted more of it, but the testosterone fighting the estrogen in my body…actually…
“Could you keep the hair on my head, please, and possibly make it longer? Dealer’s choice on the color if you want to change it for any reason. Also, can you make me biologically female?” I asked with hope in my heart.
Easily!
Yes yesyes! Woo!
More giggles of happiness rolled out from me, taking another minute or so to let the energy of loopy, mildly hazy excitement run out of me. At least somewhat.
Maybe keep a little as a treat. Hehe.
I’m glad you are excited, Macy. Also, would you like to upgrade the Bloodchaser’s Nanite Production with your Class II Nanotechnology catalog? Or, would you like to convert bio-waste into materials for your nanite factory to use for fuel? That way, you can begin to lessen the point load on yourself for the production of nanites.
“Hmm…yeah, sure, but only if I have the points. I’d like to get my skin and skeleton more reinforced so that I could go faster with the Bloodchaser if needed.”
Noted. Speaking of your skin and skeleton, Dermal and Skeletal Replacement would allow you greater usage of your weapons and strategies. Blunt force, pressure, and amplitude resistance, as well as minor heat and acid resistance, similar to the Sleeper Shark of Earth’s past. Perfect for your work with sound and chemicals. Your internal organs will also receive an upgrade to improve functionality and durability, as well as adding gills to your lungs and on your throat, granting you even greater ability to breathe underwater. Finally, you will also be receiving a new musculature, one based on the strength of the jaw of a shark of your world as well as of the world of the Stalhas. With it, you will leap higher, swim faster without assistance, and be able to rip apart single-digit antithesis with your bare hands. You will be able to fight harder, move faster, and think smarter by the end of this.
“Awesome. I remember writing a whole paper on Sleeper Sharks and other deep-sea creatures, so hearing that I’m going to take on some of those traits is really, really cool for me,” I giddily rambled.
…You probably blanked after I mentioned the Sleeper Sharks, did you?
“I did no such thing,” I lied.
Truly, one of the greatest minds of your world.
“Pfft, alright, alright. Let’s check the totals on this,” I acquiesced.
Unlocked:
Class I Dream Learning - 100 points
Class I Genetics - 50 points
Total…150 points
Points reduced to…8162 points
New Purchases:
Library: Human Genome - 25 points
Enhanced Stalhas Genetic Code (Partially Modified) - 30 points
Complete Biological and Synthological Overhaul - 4760 points
Enhanced Organ Functioning and Durability - 350 points
Increased Bone Strength and Durability - 750 points
Class II Stalhas ‘Snapjaw’ Musculature and Mouth Improvements - 1500 points
Class II Stalhas Sharkskin Dermal Replacement - 1260 points
Class II Stalhas ‘Current’ Nanite Production and Transmission System - 900 points
Stalhas Nanites Required for Previous Purchase - 800 points
Dream Learning Neural Implant - 200 points
Dream Learning Courses
Lesson: Aquatic Physics - 200 points
Lesson: Underwater Combat - 150 points
Lesson: High-Speed Tactical Reasoning - 300 points
Total…5665 points
Points reduced to…2497 points
With that amount of points left, I would suggest getting blueprints for your current system. This would allow you to gain greater use of your medical faculties. May I suggest the blueprint for the Class II Nano-Regenerative Suite, Class II Nano-Resource Courier from your Class II Stalhas Nanotechnology, and Class II Combat Stimulants? The latter I will be monitoring and distributing as deemed necessary in order to avoid you requiring the purchase of a Neuro-Regenerative later.
“Understandable. Yeah, those sound good.”
New Purchase!
Blueprint: Class II Nano-Regenerative Suite- 125 points
Blueprint: Class II Nano-Resource Courier - 365 points
Blueprint: Class II Combat Stimulants - 100 points
Total…590 points
Points reduced to…1974 points
“Alright, anything else? Better eyes?”
Not covered yet, but can be discussed.
“Hmm…nah, I already have the extra senses to help me get the picture of what’s going on around me. For the first time today, I think I’ll just save the points,” I nonchalantly brushed off.
Words I never thought would come out of your mouth. Are you sure?
“Maybe…you know what, add the eyes to the list, something that would help me see better in the deep dark,” I admitted.
There we go. That’s the Macy I know.
New Purchase!
Class II Abyssal Eyes - 1000 points
Points reduced to…991 points
How about a new spearhead for you? Or an upgrade to your wristlets?
Ooo…
“Definitely the wristlets. If I don’t have the points now, whenever I get them, I’d like them.”
They will be 1500 points, and I shall purchase them for you when you get the points soon. However, I also will ask. Will you want to continuously refill the missiles in the SHARK drones?
“Yes, absolutely yes, beeeeeeg ‘splosion.” The giggles returned with a vengeance.
Thought as much. Now, are you ready to get the best sleep of your life?
“Don’t think it will be the best sleep, but it’s gonna be one of the sleeps of all time for sure. Send me to dreamland.”
Very well, Macy. Sleep well, and talk to you soon, Macy. You’ll wake up in approximately two days a new woman.
I began to feel the world slip around me, darkness gripping the edges of my vision as the needles in my arms injected me with something to help me fall unconscious, and I quietly and happily fell into a deep, deep sleep.