A Bio-Weapon’s Rhapsody

Alexa finished her meal with some reluctance, she was quite enjoying her [Kiddy Meal Set], the flag was cute and she suspected that the work done on it was above the average one could expect for osmething this small.

 

That or they used some kind of [Machine] to make them by the thousand, at the very least she liked it. And part of her [loot] for this mission now included one map of the sewers, one date (For her [Young Stage]), one flag, and one [kiddy cup].

 

“Alexa?” And that voice that came from the door was of [Eleanore], “There you are…Good to see you in one piece.”

 

“And who you may be?” [Kerrigan] asked turning to [Eleanore], “I don’t think you are expecting me to let my guest leave with some unknown person just walking here?”

 

Alexa was surprised by that statement, so far she had been led around by unknown people with no identification though.

 

“I am Eleanore, the headmistress of the apartments where Alexa is living at the moment; I am also one of her Legal Guardians.” [Eleanore] said, bringing a small [Card] with her name and some weird titles on the side.

 

Such as [Headmistress], [Legal Councilor], [Human Resources]....and the list went on and on.

 

“Plenty of titles associate with you, huh…” [Kerrigan] said, turning to Alexa, “Do you know this woman?”

 

“Yes, she is [Eleanore]. She got Alexa an apartment!” Alexa answered, she could probably elaborate more, and perhaps if she was on her [Child Stage] she may have. But for now, that would be enough for this Alexa.

 

“I see, well…I hope to see you around in better circumstances; next time, bring your parents or friends…and please don’t use the same route.” [Kerrigan] said, sighing, getting a small paper bag from one of the [Lockers] on the wall. “Here, I sent a message ahead, they will refill it for you with another Tofu Burger and some fries, it looked as if you enjoyed these.”

 

“Thank you!” Alexa beamed as she ran past [Eleanore] searching for [Diana] to get her refill of [Tofu Burger].

 

“.....she seems like a good kid, is it worth-” Was the only thing Alexa could hear when the door closed behind her.

 

But Alexa didn’t mind it that much, she had more important things to do. Like search for [Diana] to get her [Refill]!

 

“[Diana]! [Kerrigan] said I could have another [Tofu Burger] with some [Fries]!” Alexa said when she finally found the [Woman] returning from a [Table].

 

She found a couple of people staring at her from the table, more importantly of them all was [Stella] and a [Man] and [Woman] sitting with her. More people from [Haephestus’ Forge]?

 

[Stella] wasn’t in her [Minion] form, and she seemed to be ignoring her.

 

“Hello dear, are your parents with you?” Asked the man with [Brown] hair, even with his clothes trying to hide it, Alexa could see the telltale of [Body Muscle]; he seemed to be a [Human] that had plenty [Muscle Mass].

 

“Are you harassing kids now, too? Don’t you have enough people to work with?” [Stella] said annoyed while huffing.

 

“I came for a [Tofu Burger],” Alexa said in a small tone. She wasn’t sure why, but she got a weird feeling from the [Man] and the [Woman].

 

“[Detected small traces of Mana Waves surrounding the three Humans at the table.]”

 

So, were the three of them [Core Users]? Perhaps she was feeling the oppression of the three cores.

 

“Then go and get it and stop bothering us girl. Trust me, nothing good can come from tangling with their type.” [Stella] said glaring at Alexa. “Move along.”

 

…was she warning her? Then these people perhaps were problematic?

 

Alexa decided to listen for now and record their faces for later. She would take special care if she ever found them in the wild.

 

“Okay!” Alexa said nodding and returned to the [Front] where [Diana] was waiting for her already with a small box, perhaps her [Tofu Burger] would be there?

 

“Here it is, girl, a Tofu Burger and some fries,” [Diana] said, placing two boxes into her paper bag. “And these are your kiddy meal set and a new toy, don’t tell the big boss I added these.”

 

Alexa once again nodded and hugged the paper bag, this one was suddenly at the top of her priority list.

 

“[Negative, first at the list is securing the survival of host.]”

 

….Main Core truly didn’t get her.

 

“Okay Alexa, let’s go back home, you need to finish your homework and prepare for tomorrow.” [Eleanore] said returning alone, Alexa couldn’t see [Kerrigan] anywhere nearby.

 

“Let’s go,” Alexa said, preparing to return home. Perhaps they could pass near Sam’s to drop off the [Kiddy Meal Set]?

 

She didn’t mind losing that one since it was the smaller of the two. However, she would keep the toys and the flag. That was non-negotiable.

 

“This way girl,” [Eleanore] said grabbing her hand and pulling at Alexa in the opposite direction.

 

Was she being [Kidnapped] again? That shouldn’t be, [Eleanore] had never shown any signs of animosity or hostility against her!

 

“Up you go.” [Eleanore] said opening a [Door] into a smaller version of the [Van] she had used before, unlike the [Van] this one was not only smaller, but also slimmer.

 

Either way, Alexa climbed into it when [Eleanore] opened one of the [Doors] for her; it was the polite thing to do. [Eleanore] took her [Paper Bag] and put it on the back, leaving Alexa’s hands-free to explore and check what the multiple buttons and switches did, for which Alexa was grateful.

 

“Okay…Now, Will I need to have this conversation three to four times? Or do all the Alexas can hear me?” [Eleanore] suddenly asked as she climbed at the [Vehicle] from the other side.

 

“We all share the same memories,” Alexa answered. It would be weird if she didn’t since all the other Alexas were also Alexas.

 

“Okay, good…I didn’t want to have to do this three to four times.” [Eleanore] said releasing a sigh, “Well, first of all. What did you do wrong today Alexa?”

 

[Eleanore] asked, this was a tricky question.

 

Did it mean since the morning? Since she was on her way to school? At Class? While [Partying] with [Skye]? When she traversed toward Sam’s domain?

 

“I…. didn’t fulfill the [Mission Objectives]....?” Alexa asked, unsure of what she had done wrong. She hadn’t gotten the [Test Objectives] that well, perhaps it had something to do with how she wasn’t that used to [Human Behaviour].

 

“No.” [Eleanore] said, shaking her head, “You did well at school; that isn’t the problem. You did the best you could with the situation at hand. I would have liked it if you hadn’t messed with Lisa, but you didn’t know that a Mind Healer would come. In that situation, fixing her was a priority, and for that, I am grateful. I share that opinion with Skye, actually; it's better to solve this kind of trauma the hard way.”

 

Then what was the issue?

 

“The problem came with what you did later.” [Eleanore] stated that she was still not moving any of the switches or instruments on this [Vehicle].

 

“Was leaving behind [Skye]? They told me it was the usual way that worked…” Alexa asked after, she didn’t think it would be that much off a problem, she had seen how Skye had incapacited plenty of the [Kids] when fighting at school after all. So if anything were to happen, she would be able to escape, or at least he thought so.

 

“No, that was a good call, actually. Some people try to get their friend home, and the local Skye took you to is affiliated with us.” [Eleanore] shook her head again, then stared at her as her eyes shone once more in azure-like light. “Did you drink in that form? Or in the adult one?”

 

“Only [Young Stage] drank. We don’t like the taste, and [Main Core] wouldn’t let us anyway.” Alexa answered.

 

“Truth.” [Eleanore] sighed in relief after that, “Good, at least Skye didn’t get a minor to drink, that is good…”

 

But…[Young Stage] Alexa was still Alexa…

 

“No, the problem is you endangered yourself.” [Eleanore] said bringing a map of the [Sewers], how many of those did these people have!?!?!?

 

This one….had less information than the ones she had seen before, and when looking closely she noticed why. This one only had the route she had taken.

 

“Even if The Spider helped you for some reason, that doesn’t mean you can go and visit him whenever. You need to be on your guard when going to him.” [Eleanore] explained, bringing out a set of folders: “Can you change to the adult one for this?”

 

“Yes…” Alexa answered focusing inwardly, “Main core?”

 

A simple prompt was all she needed nowadays, she probably could do it without giving the prompt, but it was some type of habit nowadays to give it. the change as always came fast and swift, she felt her body grow as the body mass was pulled from her [Banked Biomass] and her body grew in height and width.

 

With the change, she also changed her clothes to match her new figure, of course, stretching the fabric as much as possible and supplementing the missing part with fur and thread.

 

“There.” Alexa answered as her body settled in the [Young Woman] stage. “Why did you ask for the change?”

 

Alexa didn’t think it was necesary, not in this setting.

 

“Okay, why did you go to meet with The Spider? The real reason. Why would you endanger not only yourself but the other Alexas, too? The body isn’t only yours to risk.” [Eleanore] said, staring straight at Alexa, her eyes shining in bright Azure light.

 

…that was…wrong.

 

“The level of [Risk] was within the acceptable margin. There was no evidence that Sam intended to hurt us at any moment. He said so himself. We weren’t out of control, so he didn’t deem us a target to [Hunt].” Alexa answered, “Besides, it wasn’t [This Stage] who met him, but the [Child Stage].”

 

“You expect me to blame a five-year-old?” [Eleanore] snorted. “No, you are the oldest. Shouldn’t you be the responsible one? If you meet a four-meter-tall monster, you should run away, not talk with him.”

 

“...We didn’t only talk.” Alexa grumbled, “Besides, he isn’t a [Monster]. Why are you [Humans] so fixated on that term?”

 

“What else could you even do with him in the sew….” [Eleanore] started saying, only to sharply stare at Alexa. " Did you use protection? No, wait. Did the other Alexas see? Answer, yes or no.”

 

What?

 

“No, I guess? I wasn’t wearing my [BodySuit] since we didn’t bring it with us, but I had some [Chitin] modifications to protect my vitals in case something happened. I will try to come up with an alternative soon. Oh right, I also had my [Arm-mament].” Alexa said, raising her hand and shifting it to the Metal claw setting. “Better than nothing.”

 

“....why would you even need a claw…no wait, Alexa…What was that other activity you did?” [Eleanore] asked once again.

 

“We ate some [Fish and Chips], then talked a little about [Monsters] and [Humans].” Alexa answered, “We also exchanged phone numbers, and he asked me to call him with at least a day before I came to visit him.”

 

“....you didn’t have sex then?” [Eleanore| asked with a relieved sigh, “Right, no way you could have Sex, he doesn’t have his lower half after all…Or I don’t think he has, no one has survived long enough or incapacitated him long enough to check.”

 

“But he does have the male reproductive organs of a [Spider].” Alexa helpfully added, “I asked him if he could confirm that his lower half was of a [Male Spider] after all.”

 

[Eleanore] just turned to stare at her as if she was mad.

 

“He showed you his spider dick?” [Eleanore] said in a slow methodical tone, “And you….let the other Alexas see?”

 

“He doesn’t have a [Dick] as you stated, he has [Pedipalps].” Alexa corrected, “And they look cute.”

 

The last part, she wasn’t quite sure why she said, but it felt important.

 

“Right….please don’t tell any man that his dick is cute.” [Eleanore] said with a wry smile, “Not gonna judge your tastes or anything, but…not everyone will understand you if you go around telling people you are into…exotic men.”

 

“...okay?” Alexa answered, “Not sure what being [Into] means, but sure. Besides Sam is just a normal [Human] with a weird conbination of [Insect Core] and probably something else there anyway.”

 

“....Only you would say a Monster Core is normal.” [Eleanore] smiled at that, then continued on. “Either way, even if you feel safe, next time you are going there tell Gabriel, Billy or myself. Vulcanus, being Vulcanus, deemed that we can’t forbid you from going there, and being the machine asshole he is made some fair points. I can’t forbid you from acting how you want since you are an adult. At least while in that form, please move to the smaller Alexa.”

 

That was interesting to know, so they wouldn’t restrict her movement so long she did as [Young Woman] stage huh.

 

“Main Core, please.” Alexa said aloud, she felt once more the change come and so, her body started getting smaller.

 

This time she didn’t return the extra material used on her clothes back to her [Storage], but used it to reinforce her clothes. She made a pair of thick pants and not only a blouse, but also a jacket for her [Child Stage]. It would allow her to play around without hurting her body and increasing the expenditure of [Biomass] or [Energy].

 

“I HAVE ARRIVED!” Alexa declared as she opened her eyes and found herself in the [Car].

 

“Welcome Alexa.” [Eleanore] smiled while saying that, but Alexa had no time to dwell on that!

 

She had more important business to do!

 

Like getting her [Tofu Burger]!

 

So she dove into the [Back seat]! She extended some [Wiggle-Wiggle] into the [Paper Bag] and got the smaller box that housed her food.

 

“You can eat it here if you promise not to spill anything on the seat or your clothes.” [Eleanore] said smiling at her from the side, helping her get the [Drink] set up in a especial holder for her drink.

 

The…[Alexa holder for a drink]!

 

“Thanks!” Alexa said happy that she could eat her [Burger].

 

The [Old one] had eaten [Fish & Chips].

 

Then the [Mean one] had eaten two [Burgers] and planned to eat the other two!

 

That or give away one of theirs to help the [Old One]!

 

No one ever thought about Alexa!! And she was the cutestest of them all! RUDE!

 

“Slow down, the burger will not go anywhere.” [Eleanore] said from the side, but she knew nothing!

 

NOTHING!

 

If Alexa didn’t eat right now, then the other ones may give away her [Tofu Burger]! And she liked [Tofu]!

 

…that sounded weird.

 

Either way it mattered not! She.Would.Not.Give.Away.Her.Tofu!Burger!

 

“aldsalkanomnomnom.” Alexa declared at the injustice of the world.

 

“Alexa dear, just because you say nom nom, doesn’t mean I know what you said. I know you are eating, you don’t need to say nom nom for me to know that. I can see it.” [Eleanore] sighed and placed a [Straw] near her mouth, such a good [Eleanore]!

 

She was helping her drink from her [Drink]!

 

“Okay, now….did you speak with your other selves? Did you set up boundaries like I asked?” [Eleanore] asked.

 

Of course, Alexa wanted to continue eating. She still had a fourth of a [Tofu Burger], exactly seven fries ⅓ of a small bottle of sauce, and the other [Kiddy Meal set burger].

 

“Yes, we have limits set up,” Alexa answered summoning a summary of those…And getting a blue screen with them instead.

Hard Limits:

-Must ensure host life is preserved. -Must always prioritize host wishes. -Must ensure host livelihood. -Will not work against the host under any circumstance. -Will attempt to help the host fulfill the prime directives. -Will help the host be happy.

... Alexa found some of those weird. Had she really set them up? She didn’t remember.

 

Either way, she read them for [Eleanore].

 

“Can you…get me Main Core?” [Eleanore] asked.

 

“[Building up speakers….]”

 

“[Speak Human, what is that you require from this one.]” Like always Main Core sounded cheeky.

 

“Do you follow these orders?” [Eleanore] asked, Alexa felt a mana wave spread across her body and try to focus on the speaker, but failed to latch.

 

“[Such meaningless question. Host life is and will always be the main priority, even without these rules set as Core Tennets.]”

 

Core tennets? Alexa liked how that sounded.

 

“Truth.” [Eleanore] answered, then focused once more she asked. “What are these…prime directives? Did Vulcanus set you up to do something?”

 

“[Hah! As if, the Prime Directives have always existed and will always exist.]” Main Core answered, she could almost imagine a cheeky sphere smirking as it extended the dramatic silence.

 

“And they are…?” [Eleanore] couldn’t help herself and asked.

 

“[Eat, Grow, Evolve]” Main Core answered, she had thought it wouldn’t answer that. Weren’t those kind of important? “[Even if host hasn’t done much for the second and third, we are still steadily improving.]”

 

What? She had done plenty of growth! She even grew in a second and third alternate form!

 

As for [Evolve], she had gotten plenty of fun [Blueprints]! She could make those stupid [Cores]; she had the [Jumpy] thing and her [Arm-mament]!

 

“....And these…you decided to make them? To set them?” [Eleanore] asked trembling.

 

Was there a problem? She didn’t think they were that bad… Everyone needs to eat, grow, and evolve…didn’t they?

 

“[That is not for you to know. Host may have taken a liking to you, but that is all. So long you are helpful to host we will keep listening to you, but make no mistakes Human, the moment you are no longer useful. You will be Devoured.]”

 

“Main Core, no. Not munchin' on [Eleanore].” Alexa said, hitting the shoulder where the speaker was situated, “She is nice.”

 

“...thank you, Alexa.” [Eleanore] said as her eyes turned normal once again. “Is…he always like that?”

 

Was he?

 

“Not really?” Alexa said, “Main Core is getting cheeky, and he likes to bully me, but since he is helpful with my [Core Power], I keep him around. Should I get rid of it?”

 

She wouldn’t like it that much, but if [Eleanore] had a problem with Main Core it couldn’t be helped, she would rather have [Eleanore] who gives her tasty [Food] and spoils her than [Main Core] who always tries to act like he is smarter than Alexa.

 

“NO!” [Eleanore] suddenly screamed, “No…Let him, just….tell him that he must trust other people too, even if he enjoys being within your System. He is also a person.”

 

“[Negative, Main Core is not Human, therefor we can’t or will ever be a Person.]”

 

“Even if he doesn’t think so.” [Eleanore] said with a sad smile.

 

Had she read their mind again!?!?!?!?

 

“Your face has it painted all over that he said no to my statement. Remember, the more you get used to my power the harder it is for me to pick on straight thoughts.” [Eleanore] laughed as she said that. “Anyway, let’s get going, you have classes tomorrow. I managed to change your curriculum to set you some classes about the city and some history from the principal, the least they could do after what happened.”

 

Right….how many times would she need to go to school?

 

“We are setting up the next big job, so you will get some vacation from Minion work, but after that, we are back to business, so don’t forget to do exercise and stretch your Core Power.” [Eleanore] said turning a weird metal [Key] into the plastic board in front of her, as she twisted it a sound resounded from the front, “Or your other selves, you little lady must not show into the missions.”

 

Right, she wasn’t supposed to fight in this form.

 

Wait, then what about what happened in the morning…

 

“I am not looking forward to the footage when we get it. Skye hasn’t said anything about it, but we sent a Minion with technopath powers to get us a copy from the video cameras. We need to know if something was exposed and how much.” [Eleanore] sighed, “You didn’t do anything that would get you in trouble, did you, Alexa?”

 

……Did….did she need an adult?