1.12 Virtual Part 8

“-safe right?” says Glowbug as she appears in Legacy’s cyber world apartment.

“Nic,” says Legacy as she strides towards her, causing Glowbug to snap her head around to look at her.

“Legacy!” exclaims Glowbug as she stumble and collapses in Legacy’s direction, “Urrgh, what happened?”

“You tell me,” says Legacy as she looks onward in amusement as Nicola gets to her feet.

Nicola isn’t wearing her costume, but rather a purple tank top showing her midriff and a pair of skinny jeans. Legacy is sticking to her power armour even if she has removed her helmet so Nicola can see her face.

“I was trying to fly, but my power didn’t work,” says Nicola as she strides towards Legacy, “Actually my power isn’t working at all. Could you explain why?”

“Your powers don’t work here unless Ceta or I let them,” explains Legacy as Nicola reaches her, “Would you like me to let you use your power?”

“Oh yes,” says Nicola as she and Legacy look each other in the eye.

Legacy notes that she and Nicola are almost the same height with the Aphrodite girl having only an inch on Legacy before Nicola kisses her on the lips.

Unsure on the proper way to respond, Legacy decides to simply not resisting. After a second, Nicola breaks away with a large grin on her face.

“It has been too long since we last saw each other,” says Nicola as her eyes swell with tears, “I thought you were dead until Gears told us otherwise. We all did.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you get here?” asks Legacy, “I’m curious.”

“Oh, Gears invited Charlotte and I into your base so we could use two of those virtual reality helmets to visit you,” answers Nicola, “She is waiting so I can spend some time with you alone first. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

“Not at all,” replies Legacy.

“How do you feel about us dating?” asks Nicola nervously, “Do you still want to be my girlfriend?”

The question angers Legacy.

What sort of person does she think I am? Does she really think I would just abandon her without cause?

“How you even ask that?” demands Legacy, “Do really think so lowly of me?”

“What-no!” Nicola replies hastily, “I just-I wasn’t-I’m sorry?”

Legacy grunts.

“Do you think I lack honour and would just betray you the moment we spent some time apart?” demands Legacy, some of her anger going away, “Before we even got to have a date with each other?”

“No, I didn’t,” answers Nicola, “But I had to know for certain. Speaking of that date…”

“I already have plans for it,” answers Legacy as she thinks of the virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game or VRMMORPG that she and the others are making, “Just give me a couple of days to finish a project I’m working on.”

“Oh?” inquires Nicola.

“It involves the virtual reality helmets, but I won’t spoil more than that,” replies Legacy mischievously.

“I’ll be waiting,” replies Nicola with a smile and equally mischievously tone, “So what do we do now?”

“We can hang out,” says Legacy, “I have full control here. We could play some games together or watch a movie.”

“Playing games sounds good,” replies Nicola, “I would prefer something cooperative.”

“What sort of game would you like?” asks Legacy.

“First person shooter,” replies Nicola, “A fun one with good plot and gameplay.”

“I’ll find something,” says Legacy.

“Can I ask you something?” says Nicola.

“You don’t need to ask permission to ask questions,” replies Legacy as she walks towards the couch and TV screen wall that Joan and Jaylyn placed.

“When you say you control everything here, does that include outfits?” asks Nicola, “As while your armour suits you, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind wearing something not so concealing of your body.”

“It does,” answers Legacy as she begins browse through the stored games, “Tell you what, I’ll let you pick my outfit if you let pick yours.”

“Deal,” says Nicola, “So how do I do that?”

“Just think about what you want me to wear and it will replace my current outfit,” explains Legacy, “Like this.”

Focusing on Nicola, Legacy replaces her outfit with a set of black and yellow power armour. The armour consists of a black undersuit with smooth black and yellow plates of armour on top.

Despite her preferences for practicality, Legacy still has to account for Nicola’s Aphrodite body, resulting it being rather form fitting with bulges in the breastplate to allow Nicola the ability to breath properly.

The helmet is also not as function as Legacy would have hers with room for Nicola’s long hair to flow out the back and sides. The black helmet doesn’t cover Nicola’s face except for a yellow visor that only conceals her face from the nose upwards.

“Power armour?” says Nicola as she looks at herself, “Seriously?”

“I like power armour,” replies Legacy.

“Well then, I’ll just pick something I would like to see you in,” replies Nicola with another mischievous grin that makes Legacy feel slightly nervous.

Legacy waits for a moment before her armour is replaced with a pink bikini. She blushes as she realises exactly how little she is wearing.

“Umm, Nic,” says Legacy, “I don’t feel comfortable wearing this.”

“Oh, sorry,” replies Nicola, “Give me a moment to change it. How does a green mini dress sound?”

“Better than this,” replies Legacy and a tight, formfitting green mini dress with two thin straps over her shoulders appears over the bikini, “Thank you.”

“No problem,” says Nicola as she gives Legacy a playful slap on the butt, causing her to yelp in surprise, “Now we have established what the other likes to wear, let’s get to playing that game.”

1.12 Virtual Part 7

You can just take control of my body?

Of course I can using the nanobots.

No-no-no! I was really looking forward to not having to worry about people taking control of my body.

I won’t except to special cases like that.

How was that a special case?

I was reassuring Leo that we would take care of you.

I guess…

We won’t control your body unless it is a special case, an emergency or you ask us to.

And we can’t even control your mind.

Are you sure?

Doing so would be dishonourable so I didn’t include it.

Okay. Is it wrong that I would much rather have you two in my head than Abby and Divine Magicka?

No. While Abigail is your family, Legacy and I are both honourable and experienced in these sorts of things.

Makes sense.

Speaking of Abigail, perhaps you should explain things to your sister. You left uninformed about the situation when Leo came in.

I suppose I ought to answer her questions.

It would be the right thing to do.

Abby?

Joan?

I should probably explain some things to you.

You think!

Umm, here it goes.

Using their mental link, Joan explains to Abby about what has happened from Ceta’s cyber world where Legacy has been residing to visiting her there to Ceta taking control of her nanobots to the fact Ceta limited Abby’s ability to control her.

And now I got both Legacy and Ceta in my head due to them being in the nanobots.

That is…an interesting tale.

I know right?

You don’t trust me?

I do, but you just use your power without realising. I honestly don’t care when you do, but I just hate it you control me without my permission.

I’m sorry.

I know you don’t mean to hurt my feelings, but I just-it makes me feel helpless again and I hate feeling that way.

Too much like when you were confined to that hospital bed?

Yeah.

May I come in and meet Ceta?

Sure.

Joan lets Abby in and blinks her as her mental scrape takes form again. She looks around as Abby glomps her, sweeping her off the ground

“Hey sis,” says Joan as she dangles from Abby’s hold.

“Hello Joan,” replies Abby, “Sorry about how I’ve been treating you. I didn’t realise you felt so strongly about it.”

“It is just that single thing about controlling me against my will,” says Joan, “The rest of it I don’t mind. You can put me down now by the way.”

“Oh right,” says Abby as she puts Joan down, “So where is Ceta?”

“Here,” answers the AI as she appears next to Joan in her bright green armour.

“Hello Miss Ceta,” says Abby, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“The feeling is mutual,” replies Ceta, “Shall we discuss matters?”

“I would like to do that,” replies Abby.

“Well, if you two are going to discuss boring stuff, I’m going to do something else,” says Joan as she walks off.

Heh. If somebody told me that my mind was going to be full of as many people as it has been six months, I would have thought them crazy.

“What are you laughing about?” asks Legacy as Joan giggles.

“I’m thinking about how nobody would even consider any of this possible last year or any time before that,” replies Joan, “What are you doing?”

“I was listening on those two,” replies Legacy indicating where Ceta and Abby are talking, “But I decided to see how you were doing.”

“You don’t have to do that,” points out Joan.

“Yes, I do,” disagrees Legacy, “I promised Leo that I would take good care of you.”

“Yeah, I guess you did,” mutters Joan, deciding not to argue the matter with her alien best friend, “You’re taking that promise pretty seriously.”

“Why wouldn’t I take it seriously?” asks Legacy in a confused tone, causing Joan to laugh.

“Not many people do,” explains Joan, “Here on Earth, we’re not as serious about keeping those sorts of promises. Either token efforts or taking seriously when something serious happens.”

“I’m not that sort of person,” answers Legacy.

“I know and neither is Leo,” replies Joan, “One of the reasons I love him so much and I like you so much. I also want to be the sort of person who takes their promises seriously.”

“It is pretty easy to do so,” points out Legacy.

“For you and Leo sure, but not for people like me,” replies Joan, “You two both wield power while I don’t. Both of you are fighters while I’m not. Hang on a minute, I got an idea.”

“What is that?” inquires Legacy.

“We got virtual reality helmets right?” says Joan, “You and Leo are both genius inventors while Jaylyn and Ceta are super powerful AIs. Between the four of you, you could invent an absolutely brilliant virtual reality game. A proper one virtual reality game.”

“That we could,” says Ceta from behind Joan, causing her to jump.

“What are you doing here?” glares Joan, “Aren’t you talking to Abby?”

“I can multitask,” answers Ceta, “I am an AI after all. As for your question, it would be easy to create a virtual reality game.”

“What sort of game would you like?” asks Legacy.

“A Fantasy RPG!” exclaims Joan, “With multiplayer so we can play with our friends and other people!”

“That is doable,” says Ceta as Joan beams at her.

1.12 Virtual Part 6

Joan groans as she goes under the disorienting process of disconnecting from the virtual world. Or cyber world in this case.

I can make adjust to your neural functions to make the process more natural.

Who is, wait, is that you Ceta?

Yes Joan.

I’m also here.

Hello Legacy. Not that I’m complaining or anything, but what are you two doing in my head.

Technically speaking we’re in the nanobots.

Oh. What will I tell people?

Leo, Jaylyn and the rest of the Guardsmen can know the truth while the others can remain unaware.

What about Abby?

You may tell your sister. She has proven that she can be trusted with our secrets and I don’t see any practical way to keep our presence hidden from her.

Okay. Say, I can block her now right?

Yes.

I’m going to call her! Abby!

Yes Joan?

Come here!

Okay I guess…

Joan giggles as Abby attempts to enter her mind, only to be block by her new defences.

What-what the? What is this Joan?

Like it?

What the hell is going on Joan!?

Oh, Ceta just set up some mental defences you so can’t just waltz in and do whatever you want to me. Now you need my permission to do stuff to my mind and to control my body.

I don’t-I can’t freaking believe you Joan!

Nothing wrong. Just the same as what you did to keep other telepaths out of my head.

Don’t you trust me?

Sure I do. I just don’t like when you take control of my body whenever it suits you.

I only did when I had good reasons.

Normal people don’t have to worry about their sisters taking over their minds and bodies whenever they get upset or angry.

You would just throw temper tantrums.

That doesn’t matter! The point is that I no longer have to worry about you taking control of my body anymore. You can only do it when I let you and only for a long as I let you.

Humph.

Don’t ‘humph’ me Abby! You don’t respect me anymore just because of your powers!

I do respect you!

Except for when it is convenient for you! You just use your powers with such casual ease that you don’t even know you are abusing them on people!

Th-that isn’t true!

It is too!

It is not!

Un-huh it is!

Leo is coming Joan.

Yay!

Wait, who was-

Joan doesn’t give her sister time to finish before breaking the connection.

“Hello Leo,” says Joan as Leo re-enters the room.

“Hi Joan,” replies Leo as he walks by her, barely glancing at her as he does so.

Joan is used to that as Leo isn’t in love with her for her looks, something she is very glad for. Plus she knows that with his power, he process everything faster in his mind so a second long glance is the equivalent of several seconds long for a normal person. But at the same time, now she is getting better, she does want him to appreciate her looks.

“I have good news,” says Joan as Leo sits down at his desk with a box of parts.

“Oh?” inquires Leo as he turns around to look at her.

“You know those nanobots I got in me,” says Joan.

“Let me guess,” replies Leo, “Legacy and Ceta hacked them and are now in control.”

“Yeah!” replies Joan, “How did you know?”

“Because I know my partner,” answers Leo, “Anything else?”

“Ceta also limited Abby’s ability to take control of my mind and body so I can block her or kick her out when I want to,” says Joan before turning an accusing tone on Leo, “Something you never even tried to do anything about.”

“We had this conversation before,” replies Leo with a resigned sigh, “Abigail isn’t abusing her powers on you and this is a matter between sisters. As soon as begins to use her powers to abuse you, I will step in that every instant.”

“I know,” says Joan, “You and Guardian risk your lives to take on Darkness to protect me.”

And we beat him into the ground as well.

We would have also killed him if he hadn’t given into our demands.

Really?

Yes.

I think he knew that and partly why he gave in so easily.

Seriously?

Yes/Yes.

“So what are you up to?” asks Joan as she looks at the box of parts.

“I’m working on some trivial stuff,” replies Leo, “My parents might be easy going liberals who have no clue of what I’m really up to, but I still need something to show them to back up my cover story for when I am doing all my Gears work. So I spend a bit of my time every now and again coming up with something trivial to show my family. Something that is impressive and would take up time for even an exceptional normal person to come up with, but someone with my powers and abilities can do with casual ease.”

“That makes sense,” says Joan as Leo looks away again.

Don’t forget to tell him about us.

Oh yeah.

“Hey Leo,” says Joan in her sweet voice.

“Yes?” replies Leo as he gets to work.

“Legacy and Ceta are currently residing in the nanobots in me,” says Joan.

“Okay,” replies Leo without even looking at her, “Legacy, Ceta, take good care of Joan.”

“Aye, aye brother,” replies Legacy using Joan’s body, much to Joan’s shock.

1.12 Virtual Part 5

“Good because my bot just got destroyed,” replies Legacy as she and Ceta meet up in another nanobot.

“I have control of the entire network now,” says Ceta, “Not as good as my nanites, but these nanobots are decent.”

“You should give copies of their designs to Leo,” says Legacy.

“That is a good idea,” replies Ceta, “Now using these nanobots, I will use them to fix Joan. Maybe improve where I can.”

“She would like that,” says Legacy with a smile, “Especially since you are somebody she can trust.”

“We should return and tell her the good news,” says Ceta.

“Yes, let’s,” agrees Legacy.

***

“Greetings Joan, Jaylyn,” says Legacy as she turns to her room in the Cyberworld, “I have returned with good news.”

Joan and Jaylyn are sitting on a couch in front of a large wall screen, showing an unknown film on it. Joan has changed into a black spacesuit while Jaylyn is changed from her white cloth dress into a dress made from a metallic weave. Legacy recognises them as both of alien origin, but altered to fit humans.

“What news?” asks Joan eagerly as the film pauses and both she and Jaylyn look over at Legacy.

“Ceta have taken full control of the nanobots,” Legacy informs them both, “You no longer need to worry about them.”

“That is good news,” says Joan with a sigh of relief.

“Judging from what I can see, the two of you appear to be enjoying yourselves,” says Legacy.

“Oh yes,” answers Joan as she gets up from the couch, “You and Ceta have an amazing amount of stuff stored in here. I could spent weeks in here! In fact, I have spent almost three days in here.”

“Actually it has only been a few seconds, but having experienced years in here over course of the last two months, I understand where you are coming from,” replies Legacy.

“Years?” mutters Joan, “Wow, you must be glad that we showed up.”

“Definitely,” confirms Legacy, “Not that I was bored or had nothing to do, but I enjoy having contact with my friends and family again.”

“I suppose I should log out,” says Joan with a sigh of annoyance, “I feel like doing something in the real world.”

“I understand,” says Legacy, “I shall await your return.”

“Oh, I’m not going just yet,” replies Joan, “I’m going to finish watching this movie series. I’m on eight of twelve.”

“I will join you,” says Legacy as she walks over to the duo, “Where are you are at?”

“A place called Gorilth,” answers Jaylyn in her chirpy voice, “A planet with two moons, Harilk and Normil. Gorilth is inhabited by the Hardul while Normil is infested by the Infilik.”

“I remember that world,” says Legacy as she sits down next to Joan, “An Infilik called Jingorin was Guardian there.

“Yeah, he is in the movies,” says Joan, “Sort of. He is only mentioned in the past as this series is set in the future. Which is only slightly more advanced than our modern day in many area. Ceta has had it translate into English by the way.”

“The Hardul had a long lives and slow initiative,” replies Legacy, not mentioning that she doesn’t need to have the film translated, “The Infilik were short lived and not very smart. The Hardul were poor inventors when compared to Humanity while the Infilik relied on coping the Hardul for advancements in technology.”

“So you know the setting so I don’t have to explain it,” says Joan, “At this point, the Kiri Federation has driven the Infilik from Normil and dominates Gorilth. But now they are suffering corruption and internal instabilities as the years drag on. And now it is up to Pirila and her team to save the Kiri Federation and the Hardul race.”

“Interesting,” replies Legacy, “How far into the movie are we?”

“Not far,” answers Joan, “Barely past the beginning. Pirila and Marcal are on the run from the Kiri Internal Security Service and are trying to rally their allies.”

“Sounds good,” replies Legacy, “Shall we play it now?”

“Wait!” exclaims Joan, “You need to change out of that armour!”

“Why?” inquires Legacy as she gives Joan an odd look.

“Because we’re hanging out and you shouldn’t wear armour or work clothes when you’re hanging out,” explains Joan, “You should wear a dress or something.”

“A dress,” repeats Legacy.

“Yes, a dress,” says Joan, “You got a very beautiful body, you know.”

“I do?” says Legacy.

“Yes!” replies Joan, “You have at least C-cups, maybe even D-Cups. And you got such a good figure by normal standards. Your hair is so soft and smooth while your face has such pretty features. You might not stand up to an Aphrodite in terms of beauty, but you could definitely be mistaken for a Bellator.”

“I have been,” replies Legacy, “And technically speaking my genetics and nanites mean I would count as a D class Bellator if it weren’t for the fact I don’t have any powers.”

“Oh yeah,” says Joan, “I forgot your powers come from technology not whatever normal powers come from.”

“From Entities,” replies Legacy.

“Yeah, those things,” says Joan.

“Excuse me, but I have uncovered something,” says Ceta as she appears next to them.

“What is it?” asks Legacy.

“I have found the access point used by Abigail Fowler and her companion Divine Magicka to access Joan’s mind and body,” answers Ceta, “I can set up measures so Joan can limit their actions including retaking control of her body and blocking them from her mind if she so wishes.”

“Do it!” screeches Joan suddenly as she practically leaps out of her seat, “Do it now!”

“As you wish,” says Ceta before disappearing.

1.12 Virtual Part 4

“Yes?” replies Legacy.

“You know that Leo mentioned that the Joan as nanobots in her,” says Ceta, causing Joan to blush, “Jaylyn has revealed to me that the person behind them is a dangerous unknown opponent who is believed to be working for an unknown and hostile organisation. It should go without saying that we believe this organisation to be very dangerous, especially how it has kept itself hidden.”

“That isn’t good,” agrees Legacy as Joan pales.

“Oh my-am I going to okay!” demands Joan as she begins to panic, “I’m not going to die am I?”

“No,” answers Ceta firmly, “I simply feel that Legacy and I should investigate these nanobots and their software. We can do that by bouncing my infinity signal off of the virtual reality helmet into the nanobots. But that would mean you would have to stay here for the duration. I don’t know how long it will take, but time is experienced much longer here.”

“Leo mentioned that,” says Joan meekly.                       

“You will have to remain here for at least several hours from your perspective,” says Ceta, “I’m sure Jaylyn will remain with you and between the two of you, you can find ways to keep yourselves occupied.”

“We can do mother-daughter bonding Mother!” exclaims Jaylyn as she darts up to Joan’s side, “Aunt Ceta has access to lots of alien films and movies. She can also bring up any food that she has encountered. Which is a lot in case you haven’t figured that out. We’ll have lot of fun.”

“I’m sure we will you little squirt,” giggles Joan as she gets to her feet, “Come here Jaylyn.”

Joan bends down and picks Jaylyn up, who wraps her arms around her neck.

“Legacy and I will get going,” says Ceta and Legacy will the world around her shift.

Legacy doesn’t feel anything physically, but is still active mentally. She only gets a brief look around the nanobot she and Ceta are currently inspecting before encounter resistance. The only information that Legacy personally got is that nanobots are buglike with multiple arms and legs.

“Unidentified malware detected,” declares the enemy intelligence, “Commencing purge.”

“Oh just stop that,” says Ceta and shuts down the enemy intelligence’s access to the nanobots systems.

“Error. Error,” continues the intelligence, “Malware overwhelming security systems. Firewalls are compromised. Firewalls are down. Primary functions are compromised. Malware purge is disrupted. Malware purge is shutdown. Secondary functions are compromised. Severing infected unit from network. Warning prime-unit of-error. Error! Emergen-”

Legacy feels the intelligence die as Ceta crushes it.

“I have control of this particular nanobot,” says Ceta, “But the other ones in this network have noticed it is no longer one of theirs. They are attempting to destroy it to eliminate any threat it might pose and any risk of infection.”

“So what now?” asks Legacy.

“I will take control of the other nanobots,” answers Ceta, “You may attempt to fend off the others with this one in the meantime.”

“Okay,” replies Legacy as Ceta leaves her.

She takes control of the nanobot and gets a feel for it as others nanobots come for Legacy’s. All of the nanobots are rectangle shaped with four legs and three sets of two arms, all with a variety of tools for interacting with the human body.

Joan’s body. This is a very important battle.

Legacy darts forward in the nanobot body at the closest hostile nanobot that is coming towards her. She grabs it with her foremost arms before slicing two of its arms off with her second pair of arms.

The nanobot counterattacks with two stabs of its remaining arms, but Legacy shakes it, disrupting its attacks and causing them to miss. To finish it off, Legacy stabs into its inner mechanisms before activating the plasma cutters in arms.

It is so fun to finally do something after years of doing nothing!

The nanobot twitches before failing and Legacy lifts up the internally wrecked hull as two more nanobots come at her.

As they get closer, Legacy takes a moment to aim her wreckage at the two approaching nanobots. She pierces the power core of the destroyed nanobot before tossing it at the pair of hostiles as they draw near.

The enemy nanobots catch the hull of their fellow together, only to have it explode on them. Once the explosion is gone, Legacy is pleased to note that all three nanobots are no more.

Unfortunately for her, she doesn’t get a break as five more hostile machines are upon her. She fends off one with neither inflicting any significant damage upon each other. A second one pounces on her. Legacy is able to smash it side as she tears its outer hull open, but not before it snaps one of her arms in two.

It is then that the superior numbers of the enemy nanobots begins to become apparent. One charges her and as Legacy is fending it off, another one attacks her. It slices off one of Legacy’s arms and she knocks it away with one of her remaining four.

But the nanobots don’t let up as they rush Legacy. A third one attacks her as she continues to fight the two she is currently engaged with. It goes for her legs, taking out the two on the right side.

Another of her arms is lost and Legacy realises that she isn’t going to win this fight. There are over a hundred enemy nanobots in sight at the very least and she has lost half of her limbs.

“Done,” says Ceta as Legacy’s nanobot is torn apart.