String - Initialization 8.2

One of my larger 3D printers hummed as it worked, and I patiently watched from a chair, gripping a fresh hot chocolate. It wouldn’t be long before the machine finished, and I could see if my curiosity paid off. Idly, I tapped the side of the mug before taking a sip. Withholding my anticipation proved to be a trying task, but I was excited to see how this project continued after this step. There was only one issue that worried me.

I set my hot chocolate aside as I stood, watching the machine go through its final stages. Once finished, it powered down to rest mode, waiting to begin another project. I gently reached and lifted the completed product away from the machine before placing it on one of my workbenches.

It was a perfect reconstruction of the bones in my left arm, starting from the tip of my fingers and ending just below the shoulder. I couldn’t deny how strange it felt to see and hold, but I started with this for a reason. I needed a ‘launch pad,’ so to speak, to begin researching and developing cybernetics. With access to Splicer’s equipment, I could solve Mom’s problems myself, but there was a stark difference between developing technology like that and cutting people open to fix them.

I didn’t know the first thing about the intricacies of the human body, and my power wouldn’t compensate in that department to feed me upgrade options or general information. I would be stuck learning the slow way, and I suspected I didn’t have that kind of time. Any surgeries I would perform needed simplifying with the automation of sophisticated surgical tools. That was an avenue I could take.

Cybernetics was an exceedingly large undertaking, and so far, it stretched the capability of my powers. I intended the bone replica to be a model I could experiment with to see what could work. Bones by themselves were impressive, but the biological element to them stopped my power from interfacing with them. If I wanted something better, I would have to design something that outclassed regular bones in every fashion.

Currently, I was trying to build that design.

“Iteration: 26,” I mumbled, recording the note on the desktop. “Material makeup will be… ’Victorum.’ Another bizarre name.”

Scrolling back to glance at the older iteration notes, I shook my head at some of the bizarre names creators gave to their evomats. Some of them were fine, but others were just outright strange. What the Hell was ‘Galamoncho’ supposed to be? Obviously, it was a evomat made up of many different metals to create a resilient compound capable of total radiation suppression, but the name seemed like gibberish.

[Charges: 14/25]

[Left Arm Bone Structure Replica]

[Materials]

• Plastic

  • Durability MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Insulation MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Sturdiness MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Flexibility MK I (Cost: 1)

• ↓. . .↓

• Victorum (Cost: 7)

  • Durability MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Insulation MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Sturdiness MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Flexibility MK I (Cost: 1)

[Integration Status: Unavailable]

After paying the seven charges, the plastic replica changed to a glimmering green. I hadn’t even known about Victorum and many other evomats until Cyberspace gave me access to their local material storage. I was flooded with materials to work with, and according to Sam, all of this was just the tip of the iceberg. Surprisingly, I discovered that my power didn’t recognize materials I wasn’t familiar with and could only operate on evomats I already knew about. With Cyberspace and all their resources, it was an easy problem to fix. Research expanded my repertoire, giving me more options than I knew what to do with. Victorum was one such material.

“Green…?” I murmured, flicking the metallic bones. The light impact made a clinking sound, like two glasses toasting. It was a costly evomat, but considering my power informed me that it was several times stronger than carbon fiber and could slowly self-repair, I figured testing was worth the time investment. I hadn’t expected the color, but it was a non-issue. I turned back to the desktop and recorded further notes. “Green… and it looks like it's cut from an emerald.”

I picked up the reformed replica and noted my power’s interpretation.

[Charges: 7/25]

[Left Arm Bone Structure Replica]

[Materials]

• Victorum

  • Durability MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Insulation MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Sturdiness MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Flexibility MK I (Cost: 1)

Interestingly, my power still registered it as a replica, which ultimately made sense. Outside of the materials, I hadn’t made any dramatic changes. The leap from ‘Replica’ to ‘Cybernetic implant’ would involve integrating tech into the design. There was still a lot more work to do in this department, but there was testing to do, and I needed to see how effective Victorum was as an evomat.

I moved through multiple stress testing stations and noted the results.

Incineration revealed Victorium to have impeccable fire immunity. The equipment I had on hand couldn’t reach the required temperatures to trigger the melting point. The machine didn’t even leave a scorch mark, to my astonishment. Somehow, it was even able to cool remarkably fast. In only a minute, it had returned to room temperature.

I quickly tested the other extreme with super concoctions of improved liquid nitrogen. Not a single piece of Victorum chipped off or suffered damage, my power didn’t even need to repair it. The durability of the Replica remained intact and undamaged. It wasn’t uncommon for most evomats to resist extreme temperatures, but I expected some damage at the very least. Victorum was proving to be the best investment so far.

I subjected the material to simulated crushing ocean depths of various extremes, noting very minimal surface level cracks at the highest levels and varying intensities of electromagnetism. I had glowing results all around, which made me feel like a child who had found the secret stash of chocolate hidden away in their parent's pantry.

When I finally came to the high-impact hydraulic piston test, Victorum’s incredible run abruptly ceased. Subjecting the material to forceful impacts that surpassed Red’s full strength shattered the metal into fragments. Even some of the strongest evomats in the world couldn’t withstand the destructive forces some Supers were capable of. The upgraded hydraulic piston functions as the final hurdle, one that every evomat failed so far. However, there was a silver lining. With some durability and sturdiness upgrades, I could change that.

“Hydraulic Piston Maximum – Level Eight,” I mused. “Second best behind Novarite and Starum. I suppose at least its name isn’t as ridiculous as those two,” I muttered, marking off Victorum’s final test results. I saved the results as ‘Iteration: 26 - Victorium’ before sorting them from best to worst performance on the spreadsheet. Every evomat had strengths and weaknesses, but some were undisputedly better than others. “Seems like this is my best bet so far.”

I looked around my workshop and sighed. Talking to myself was starting to become a bad habit, but part of me liked verbalizing my thoughts so I could hear them out loud. Sam, Liam, and Mia caught me doing it a lot recently. Only Mia had the decency not to make light-hearted jokes about it. It didn’t bother me – not particularly – but Liam found it amusing to point out.

“Victorum is an interesting compound,” a voice from my workstation sounded. I looked to see a window opening with Cyberspace’s ASCII face appearing. “The Mechakinetic responsible for its creation was someone we contracted for sometime until they went mad. I’ve since made arrangements to keep them confined in a mental insititution I fund. She unfortunately suffers from severe schizophrenia, which has only worsened over the years.”

My lips thinned.

“Cyberspace.”

I noted one of their brows raise.

“Maxis.”

“You haven’t spoken to me in private before. You always seem to be busy with other things, or talking with Sam,” I said, curiosity coloring my tone. “I didn’t think you were interested in talking to me.”

“Quite the opposite. You, more than anyone in Madhouse, are the most interesting. Your potential is limitless. I’ve sought to give you the time and space in order to work. I’ve observed your progress for the last two weeks and I have to say, my expectations have been met with increasing levels of satisfaction.”

“Really?” I retrieved the mangled Replica and repaired it before placing it in line with the others. “It occurred to me that you might’ve been watching me, but I figured it would be rude to look into ways to prevent that, so I’ve tried to put it out of my mind,” my eyes scanned the workshop. “Sam’s already speculated that you’re some kind of Mentalist with a Mechakinetic specialty. Like Uplink, you’re able to use electronic devices to spy on people.”

An amused chuckle came from the screen.

“In a manner of speaking, yes.”

“Unlike him, you have a much further reach and lack the temperament of a child.”

“I would hope so,” Cyberspace replied, the amusement never leaving their tone. “As riveting as it would be to discuss my power, I find yours to be far more interesting. It’s quite unlike any I have seen before, a Cosmikinetic with a Mechakinetic speciality is unheard of.”

“And you’ve managed to snag me,” I chided with a mocking smile. “Congratulations.”

“Why thank you,” their reply came with an equal level of mocking. “Though, I must confess, I do not like to view our working relationship that way. While you and the rest of Madhouse might believe yourselves to be a simple asset, the truth is simply that I wish to work with you toward a better future. I need not repeat myself, but I will reiterate for clarity’s sake that I do not seek to exploit you.”

I exhaled slowly. 

“No offense, but I still find that hard to believe.”

“What I say, I intend with sincerity. Whether or not you choose to believe it is up to you. I believe that actions speak louder than words,” Cyberspace paused, their face moving from side to side as if to show that they see the room through the screen. “I believe my actions have spoken. I’ve provided you with everything you need, and ensured that any loose ends your group left behind have been tied up nicely.”

“I shudder to wonder what those loose ends are, and what exactly you and your people have done,” I said with a pointed look. “I know enough about your history to know that you’re no saint. You’ve hurt people, killed countless—”

“If we are pointing at atrocities as examples of morality and character, then the ECU is the worst of all of us. The only difference between us is that they are veiled and protected from the consequences of their actions. They were formed and funded by the ones that make the laws – the rich and powerful – to ensure chaos doesn’t thrive. They might claim to be working in everyone’s best interests, but the things they’ve done in order to maintain their ‘peace’ will make you sick. Yes, I have killed countless, but in the end those like me are doing so in order to realize a better future. The ECU are desperately trying to hold onto old world values when what we need is a fresh new system.”

“Those like you?”

“Do you think I am the first to see the innevitable fallout we are heading toward? The divide in humanity has never been greater. Humans and Evohumans are fundamentally separated by an imbalance of power. Not so long ago, the scales were tipped to the former’s favor, but with every passing year the scale is slowly equalizing. It will not take long for the scales to tip entirely, and when that happens… pandemonium.”

There was a lot to unpack there. Cyberspace was implying World War Four would break out.

“A conflict on the scale you're suggesting would be… catastrophic,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. I couldn’t imagine what kind of doomsday scenario would play out if World War Four happened. Humans versus Evohumans sounded like a one-sided genocide waiting to happen. “The world will be left in ruins.”

“Which is what I am hoping to prevent. More of the status quo ensures that, and those like myself and Gaea understand that completely.”

My eyes widened.

“You and Gaea—”

“Another mutual partnership,” Cyberspace explained dismissively. “There are a number of topics we disagree on, and we have worked to find compromises. The inevitable path the world is stuck on is one topic we can agree on.”

I had to reevaluate the perceived balance within Bayside. If Gaea and Cyberspace had mutual agreements between their factions, they undeniably had the advantage in power and strategic positioning. Gaea was strong enough on her own and coupled with everything else, she could have Pandora and The ECU out of the city before dinner. However, removing The ECU had social and political ramifications. Given Gaea’s political standing, it wouldn’t do well for her image. What I didn’t understand was why Pandora was still here. I couldn’t figure out why keeping them around benefited anyone.

“So you have an alliance.”

“I wouldn’t call it an alliance,” Cyberspace said. “It is an agreement to keep out of each others way. I do not impede her aspirations, and she does not trouble mine. If there is a universal problem, we typically make arrangements to deal with it. Given my preference to operate discreetly, she often agrees to handle disputes directly.”

That somewhat lined up. When Gaea wanted something, she made it everyone’s business to know what needed to happen. Grim needed to go, so she called a meeting. When we weakened him and left him vulnerable, she personally showed up to end the conflict permanently. Gaea didn’t take any half-measures, and I guessed that's what made working with Cyberspace beneficial.

Gaea wanted to be Prime Minister of New Elpis, and she wanted to do it in a way where she won the majority vote. Her political party was a big contender, but their opposition was equally strong. I wasn’t that big into the politics of this country, but I knew that much. Gaea cared about her image because if she wanted to forcefully take over the country, she could do it in a heartbeat.

So, what exactly did Cyberspace want?

Some kind of reestablishment or revision of global order?

The thought sent shivers down my spine.

“It bothers you,” Cyberspace continued, stating the obvious. “That you feel forced to work with me, in spite of how I am viewed by the world at large. A global terrorist hiding in the shadows, destabilizing countries, butchering innocent people… yet you are just as adverse to working with The ECU because of a personal grudge.”

I raised my head and glared at the monitor.

“My personal grievances aside, there are good people working within The ECU to prevent the very thing you claim is inevitable,” my thoughts drifted to Abby and her mother. Domination tried to stop me from getting involved with Grim before being ordered to stand down. Her efforts appeared genuine. Abby – ignoring her crass attitude – wanted to help people and mirrored her mother’s desires. “They’re not all bad.”

“If they were all bad, the organization as a whole would have fallen to pieces a long time ago. I do not doubt some of their intentions, and most I have interacted with have genuine desires to work for a better world,” Cyberspace said with hints of positivity. “They tend to sympathize with my goals, but as you have come to see, the world is not so black and white as you were led to believe. I have done terrible things to further my aspirations, yes, but so has everyone else.”

I felt like I was old enough and had been through enough crap to understand what Cyberspace was trying to pull here. Justifying their actions by pointing to others and claiming they’re just as bad. It was a shitty tactic, and I didn’t like it.

“It does bother me that I am contributing to the misery of others by helping you. Sure, The ECU has done terrible things that they’ve covered up, but that—”

“—This conversation is not what I intended to be having today, Maxis,” Cyberspace intoned. “Before criticizing the actions I take to achieve my goals, I would like to hear yours. Do you have any aspirations, particularly pertaining to a dramatic shift of the global community? What do you want to see in the future? How would you go about it?” They paused, their icy stare poking holes in my confidence. “Why are you here at all? Why get up in the morning? Why do you do what you do? What exactly are you trying to achieve?”

I opened my mouth to reply but felt the words die on the tip of my tongue. I remembered the conversation I had not long ago with Francis. This conversation felt depressingly similar, only this time, I faced someone who would stop at nothing to achieve their aspirations and desires. Cyberspace’s questions had me searching the deep recesses of my mind to unearth what sort of future I envisioned, and the worst part was that their patient silence spiked my anxiety.

The brutal truth was that I didn’t have any answers. I didn’t know how my future was going to pan out long-term. I saw problems with the world, but they felt mechanical. I could fix it all with a touch, but all that was a colossal undertaking. Could I do it? Did I even want to do it?

“I’m… not sure.”

“You’re young,” Cyberspace said with an unsettling amount of sincerity. “There’s plenty about the world you have yet to learn. Perhaps in time, you might discover methods that prove to be more effective than mine. Until that time comes, I would suggest you continue to work on your strengths. Now,” I felt the conversation shift with the pause. “Before we drifted off-topic, I was going to suggest integrating Victorum with other compounds to achieve the result you are desiring.”

I looked at the table with the replicas, my mind still in turmoil over the questions. Considering integrations wasn’t something I was concerned about at this stage. Victorum was the best evomat so far.

“What would you suggest?”

“If you are working toward a fully functional cybernetic limb, I would look at working with Carbon Nanotubes to simulate the nerves. Integrate them into the design and your power will do all the heavy lifting,” Cyberspace explained. “There are other materials that can be used as artificial muscles and synthetic skin, all of which should be compatible with your power.”

“Carbon Nanotubes…?” I squinted at the replica, trying to think where I heard the name before. It didn’t sound like a evomat I was familiar with. It took me skimming back through my notes to realize what Cyberspace was suggesting. I had no complaints, and it was compatible with my power. “Could work.”

“Might I also recommend you shelve building arm cybernetics? There are other smaller, safer alternatives than starting with full replacements.”

I looked between the screen and the replica arm skeletons.

“Oh, no, I wasn’t going to— I mean, no. I wasn’t going to actually use the whole thing. I was just creating them to see if I could test them. Once I can get them functioning and responding like a normal arm, then I was going to start figuring out how I was going to implement them,” I clarified. “I still need to overhaul a lot of Splicer’s surgery equipment. His stuff is still archaic– er, manual,” I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling fatigue begin to set in. “I’d like to be able to just… press a button and have the machines do all the gross work.”

Cyberspace was quiet for a moment.

“I see. Press a button you say? You are capable of that?”

I shrugged.

“Eventually. There are a lot of hardware upgrades I can see, but that’s only half. There’s a lot of software components I’ll need to work on,” I idly waved at the untouched surgical station on the other side of my workshop. “All of this is a long-term project.”

“In regards to your mother?”

I expected Cyberspace to know. I hadn’t expected them to state it so bluntly.

“Something like that.”

“Say the word, and I’ll have her walking by the end of the week. I have multiple Biokinetics skilled in surgical procedures. Her case is a simple one,” Cyberspace offered. “Your indulgence in cybernetics is a fascinating one, but it is not necessary if you are doing this simply to help your mother.”

“It’s not solely to help her,” I replied. “There are benefits they provide that my power armor won’t be able to solve, no matter how much time I sink into it. I can’t wear it all the time and even when I am, a purely organic body will limit what I can add to my suit and how hard of a hit I can take.”

“And you are willing to cut yourself open, to replace parts of yourself?”

I grimaced at the thought. It was an inevitable necessity that cybernetics demanded. Once I cut away the organic matter, I couldn’t exactly get it back. Not without a Biokinetic or a lot of charges invested in the right tech. It would be something I’d have to commit to. If there were any regrets, it would haunt me forever.

“Still thinking about that. There’s a lot to consider.”

“You don’t sound sure.”

“Gee, is it that obvious?” I snarked. “Of course I’m not sure. It’s easy to think about as a fantasy when you don’t have the means, but suddenly when it's within your grasp – when the reality hits – it feels different. How much is too much and where will I stop? Arms? Legs? Organs? Brain?” I snorted and shook my head. “It’s silly to think about when I haven’t even started yet, but I don’t think I’d like ending up as a robot. I like being… me.”

Cyberspace chuckled. 

“Your apprehension is refreshing. It seems you’ve been raised well. There are many I have worked with that haven’t so much as blinked when an opportunity like this presents itself. The constant chase for more power and security is something the old and the new share intimately. It’s the one thing that rarely changes,” Cyberspace noted. “The Mountain used to chase power and security. It’s one of the reasons he and Gaea created New Elpis. Nowadays…” they trailed off into a sigh. “Nowadays, he prefers to remain out of the spotlight. He views his fame and power as a curse more than anything.”

That little piece of information piqued my interest. That’s why the most powerful Super in the world lives in isolation? He was as old as Gaea. Maybe he was just tired?

“If you feel the need to continue developing cybernetics, by all means, I won’t stop you. There are precious few Mechakinetics capable of developing such technology, and the few that do are not under my employ. It is a sought after expertise. I would hazard against testing on yourself, and I will step in should I see you taking unnecessary risk,” Cyberspace warned. “Should you feel the urge, you need only ask for test subjects. There are some in my employ that have suffered wounds and have aversion to Biokinetic treatment. This would be a welcome alternative.”

I sighed, walking back over to the replicas. Retrieving the Victorum replica, I observed it for a moment before searching my workshop for Carbon Nanotubes. I had an abundance of raw materials for all assortments, so finding some didn’t take long. The integration cost was cheap, a single measly charge, but once assimilated, I could see what Cyberspace meant.

[Charges: 3/25]

[Skeletal Prosthetic Model]

[Materials]

• Victorum

  • Durability MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Insulation MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Sturdiness MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Flexibility MK I (Cost: 1)
    
    

• Victorum Nanotubes ☆

  • Durability MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Insulation MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Sturdiness MK I (Cost: 1)

  • Flexibility MK I (Cost: 1)

Progress.

“Well done,” Cyberspace commended. I looked back to see the face on the screen smirking. “If you wish to ask for more advice, you are free to contact me whenever you please. Though, I imagine little Alice wouldn’t take too kindly to being left out of collaborations,” there was a distinctly humorous tone in their words. “Expect contact in the coming weeks from other Mechakinetics in my employ. I have recently shared your talents with them and they are, well, let’s say they are very eager to speak with you.”

“Thanks,” I murmured half-heartedly, still processing what they said. I knew I didn’t sound very thankful, but from the looks of it, Cyberspace either didn’t care or hadn’t registered it. “I’ll keep an eye out.”

“One more thing. Your friend, Lucy Kim.” My blood froze, and the hairs on my neck stood on end. “She will be returning to school along with everyone else. I figure you would know better, but I feel I must state that you should not make a scene about it. Her affiliation with Pandora is to be kept secret.”

“You’ve been watching her?” I did my best to hide my biting tone. “What have you done!?”

“Nothing. You two are close, so I’ve kept my eye on her. If she were truly in any danger, I would have acted on your behalf.”

My behalf…?

“What happened to her?”

“Wildfire had her moved out of the city with her mother to live with his parents. Lucy was in no danger,” Cyberspace explained. “I tell you this to keep you informed. Do not be surprised when you see her tomorrow and she is apprehensive about where she has been. I also tell you this to warn you that your friend Abigail Kingston might act out, given the information you discovered prior to the conflict with Grim.”

Shit.

I hadn’t even considered that.

“What is she going to do?”

“That, I’m afraid, depends solely on you, Maxis.”

Well, so much for a smooth return to school life.