A Bio-Weapon’s Rhapsody

The Class continued on the topic of what made someone a [Hero] or a [Villain], what type of activities made someone more [Heroic] and what made someone more [Villainous]. As far as Alexa was concerned, this was mostly meaningless information. Why should it matter if someone acted [Righteously]?

 

At the end of the day, if the [Test] was to fight against them, she would fight them, whether they were [Heroes] or [Villains].

 

To Alexa this was meaningless.

 

“Okay Class, that is enough. Now you are prepared to fight society knowing that not all Heroes are good and not all Villains are evil.” The [Teacher] said and looked at his wrist, he had some kind of [Watch] there, “As for our next topic, we are doing world history.”

 

The [Whiteboard] deleted all the information that had been there before, Alexa noticed a new notification on her [Desk] about the previous Whiteboard being saved for future browsing if she required it. That was a neat function…if not for her having memorized the data already.

 

“For our next class, we are reviewing basic history; what is the most important event of the previous century?” The [Teacher] started the [Class] with that, he turned this time to look at the students, each kid in the Desk stood focused on the [Teacher], even those that had argued with him about optics of good deeds vs percieved evil deeds. “First, we will go by our usual freestyle.”

 

And followed by that Alexa heard the sound of hands hitting against the desks. In the center of her own Desk Alexa noticed a red circular light, “CRADDLE, please give the word to the winner.” The [Teacher] said, and the lights dimmed in the classroom. Everywhere was darker…except for the Desk of the [Blackthorn] girl.

 

“Of course, Blackthorn you have the right of speech. What is the most important event of the previous century for you?” The [Teacher] said and crossed his arms.

 

Alexa focused on him again. She had noticed that he did some subtle movements to encourage people to focus elsewhere, and each time she failed those attempts, he would reappear in another place.

 

“Thank you Teacher. For me the most important event of the previous century is the space race. We started aiming for the stars and expanded our understanding of the universe, for me, this is the most important step we have ever done.” Glory said and with a bow sat down.

 

“Hmm….I assume the fact that the rocket and space crew were from the Saintsworths has nothing to do with your answer?” Once again the same kid that had fought with that girl spoke.

 

“That is correct, the fact that we had enough technological might to fund and make three different space programs across the world and managed to launch them all had nothing to do with my answer.” Glory answered and turned to stare at the other kid, “Right, your family also tried to join the space race didn’t they? Alan Harmonia?”

 

The other kid turned red and glared at the Blackthorn girl.

 

“It was an unfair deal and you know it too, or what? Did your owners not teach you the terms?” The kid seemed angry at it.

 

“They did, your family asked for a dual space program. The reason the first to touch the moon soil were Saintsworths was because it was deemed that we shouldn’t risk the lives of others in our squabble. So we built the rocket using our Technology and risked the lives of our comrades. Didn’t your family ask for this deal?” Glory smirked back at the other kid, Alan.

 

“...” The other kid didn’t answer.

 

“What happened to your rocket again? What happened to the Harmony Mk 7?” The black-haired girl smiled sweetly at the other kid who seemed on the verge of crying.

 

Alexa was enjoying this soap opera…what is a soap opera? She wasn’t sure, but this seemed to fit the bill so she imagined herself a snack to enjoy this.

 

“...they died…the rocket failed when leaving orbit and crashed against the ocean. The astronauts got knocked unconscious and weren’t able to leave the rocket in time.” Alan answered with gritted teeth.

 

“Enough of that squabble.” The [Teacher] sadly interrupted. “You have used your chance to answer; CRADDLE will allot your points. Next!”

 

After the light focused on another girl, “I think the World War was an important event since it showed us how terrible….” She went on to tell how bad it was to the fact that some humans killed others, how it was a meaningless thing to fight over rights of land…

 

Alexa sincerely ignored most of it, she had used her own terminal to search those event and found the idea behind the event…interesting. She found some interesting data about these [World War]; they started out of a political dispute brought up by the assassination of some high-ranking [Human].

 

They didn’t have [Core Users], and she didn’t find evidence of any presence of [Bio Weapons]; what she found were some studies about the use of chemical warfare and [Conspiracy Theories] about some civilian entities that benefited from the war. Be it by fueling the conflict or selling armament and intelligence to both sides of the conflict.

 

Interestingly enough, there weren’t that many theories about the Saintsworths being involved in the more active parts of the war; some documents stated that they worked selling weapons and equipment for the war theater, but during those years, it seemed that they had focused all their resources on the space race.

 

What was the deal with that?

 

“Then, with that out of the way we have…” The [Teacher] said, turning to the [Whiteboard] again and started writing.

 

[The World War]

[Space Race]

[Technological Advances]

[Rise of Superpower Nations]

[Rise of Monopolies]

[Rise of Mega Corporations]

[Holocaust]

[Cold War]

 

Alexa only shared their opinion on the [World War] and the rise of [MegaCorporations] since that one had been solely focused on the [Saintsworths].

 

“Alexandra? You have not participated in this topic. What is your opinion on this? What was the most important event of the previous century?” The [Teacher] said focusing the attention back to Alexa.

 

“I think that the [First World War] is the important event.” Alexa answered.

 

“Hoh? Not the rise of your namesake? Or the space race? But the war?” The [Teacher] almost seemed like he wanted to smile, and yet…he remained stoic. “Why? Elaborate?”

 

“Well, that is what allowed [Humans] to innovate the most. The [World War] kickstarted the [Space Race], they advanced the economy of the winners, and increased the speed of research and development, and that is the reason for the rise of the [SuperPowers Nations] and the main factor that allowed the [Saintsworths] to become a [MegaCorporation].” Alexa answered.

 

“Perfect answer, CRADDLE. Log the answer.” The [Teacher] said and the sphere blinked once at the command, Alexa didn’t felt any [Mana Wave] coming her way, so had the thing failed to awknowledge the command? “Correct, the most important event was the war. What allowed us to advance this fast wasn’t good plans, feelings or the wish to innovate. But the idea of defeating our fellow man.”

 

That was…[Dark].

 

And most of the other kids seemed to look down.

 

“But you all are too young to understand this. So we will slot this for a later year.” The [Teacher] instead wiped clean the [Whiteboard] and turned once more to them, “Then with that out of the way, what is the most important event of this century.”

 

This time the [Teacher] didn’t wait and pointed at Alexa from the beginning, “So tell us, Alexandra, what is, in your opinion, the most important event of this century.”

 

…….

 

Alexa was about to ask Main Core, but she felt that it would have been the wrong answer, so instead she remained quiet, “The [Advent of Core Users].” Alexa answered.

 

This time the [Teacher] couldn’t help it and smiled, and…Alexa could feel it, [Madness] spread into the face of the [Teacher], it was only for a second, and Alexa felt as if she would have forget it if she hadn’t thought it was weird.

 

“[Notice, mana wavelength detected, an effect similar to the one created by Melissandra Singh. Initiating countermeasures.]”

 

And that Main Core acted.

 

“Correct.” The voice of the [Teacher] brought her back, “The advent of Core Users can be without a doubt the most important event of this century. Our Technology has started advancing by leaps and bounds even though Tinker Tech is limited in use and dependent on Tinkers being available to provide maintenance.”

 

The [Teacher] now once more looked like a nondescript [Human] without any part that stood out besides a used [Suit] and a licked-out haircut.

 

The image of [Madness] and smile gone.

 

“That was too easy to answer.” Glory grumbled from the side.

 

“And yet you would have answered another thing, wouldn’t you?” The Harmonia boy said with a smirk. “Perhaps the event when the Saintworths managed to replicate a Core User power with their Artifacts?”

 

“That was an important development!” Glory fought back.

 

“It matters not.” The [Teacher] said, clapping his hands, “The advent of Core Users brought us the advancement of Humanity as a whole; it allowed the lesser man to rise above those with the power of old. You all are the Elite of our society, daughters, and sons of old power.”

 

Most kids nodded their heads proudly.

 

All but Glory Blackthorn and Alan Harmonia.

 

“And yet you all will be less than the lowest Core User you can find. One of the feared Insect Core or Beat Core will get more interest than most of you. And I can guarantee that if your parents found a way to make you into one of them they would pay any amount of money for that.” The [Teacher] said, bringing the students' mood down in one simple swoop.

 

“Of course, if we had access to the Core Power, even as an Insect Core User we would not be a danger to society, we would be able to become Heroes and help further humanity.” Glory said without stepping back.

 

“And that is why we discuss these topic while your fellow students worry trying to learn the multiplication tables.” The [Teacher] nodded, “You all can learn the multiplication tables in your free time, but learning the importance of worldwide events is important.”

 

Was it?

 

Alexa didn’t think like that; this information was available for everyone to see, so why would it matter if she learned it here or not?

 

“Case in point, what is our city known for?” The [Teacher] said this time, the Whiteboard erased the notes of the previous topic and showed a map of the city.

 

Similar to the one she had seen before.

 

“Manufacturing?” Alan answered unsure.

 

“Our research and development laboratories?” Glory answered.

 

The other kids turned to stare at Alexa, as if to wait for her answer, the [Teacher] also did so. So Alexa sighed “The [SuperHeroes] and [Villains]?” Alexa asked.

 

“Once again, correct.” The [Teacher] answered nodding, “The tourism we attract from the superheroic fights and the research acquired from the Core Users that sell themselves to pharmacies, they advance our society either as tools or as research material.”

 

That…she hadn’t expected.

 

“Columbus, Ohio, would probably not have survived in this new world without the Saintsworths meddling. We would have ended as another ghost city.” The [Teacher] said, and the image of the Whiteboard shrank; it turned into a bigger map with some other figures. “Ohio, for example, can survive thanks to our Capital City helping them; we send the help needed and sometimes move Heroes to other cities when a disaster strikes.”

 

The map of [Ohio] showed other smaller cities in different colors, it then showed lines spreading from [Columbus] to the other cities around.

 

“And in comparison with other states…” The map then showed other countries around, “Those that didn’t manage to get a central node of a mega-corporation or a group of heroes to set base there…”

 

The images started to turn red.

 

“Ghost cities.” Glory said in a sad tone.

 

“Exactly, cities that no longer hold human life. Or, in the worst case, anarchy.” [Teacher] showed images of cities ruled by greenery, animals, insects, and, in one particular instance, one that had rudimentary buildings. “Some of those do thrive in these environments, unlike our more civilized side of the world.”

 

Ghost Cities…

 

Alexa saved this data for later use, the fact that uncontrolled or unregistered entities populated cities…It could mean that she had the option to grow and thrive without having to mind her environment.

 

If she was able to travel there…

 

“Are there plans to recover the lost territory?” Alan asked, “We do have plans for that, right?”

 

“That is for the high society to decide,” [Teacher] said turning to the students once more, “So, it will be upon your hands when you grow.”

 

Most of the kids around nodded their heads seriously. Alexa could see the seriousness that they emanated, and it was honestly weird. She was here trying to eat her invisible popcorn, and the other kids were all serious.

 

They didn’t get her!

 

“Good, so then, what is the main reason for the creation of a ghost city?” The [Teacher] said his question and pointed to Glory.

 

“The uncontrolled and unregulated Core Users.” She answered without waiting, “It is because those that didn’t have enough willpower got powers beyond their capacity to control.”

 

Yeah, these kids were weird, why did they speak using so many confusing words?

 

“Correct, the first ghost city was made when a group of Insect Core Users got out of control and killed everyone within the city. Why haven’t we recovered from them? Harmonia.” [Teacher] asked, pointing to the kid who antagonized Glory.

 

“Because they are Human, we don’t have the means to identify former humans from pure insect monsters among the swarm of Ants covering the city.” The kid answered, and an image of a gigantic ant showed on the monitor.

 

Alexa knew those, she had been made to fight to some of those things in her [CRAB] form. They were quite resilient, and that was the reason why she opted for a modified chitin armor, but the fact that they couldn’t identify those from previous [Humans]?

 

Alexa decided to raise her hand, “Yes Alexandra? Do you have a question?” The [Teacher] said, turning the attention to her.

 

“How can you not know who is a [Human]?” Alexa asked pointing at the ant-like monsters, “Those are [Insects].”

 

Some of the other kids giggled at her question, but Alexa didn’t pay attention to them, instead focused to the [Teacher].

 

“That is…technically correct.” The [Teacher] answered, “But at least some of those were Human at some point, there are reports of other people that triggered and turned into similar species of ants, and others did turn into the same species, from there…following some investigations we discovered that these ants can procreate.”

 

Alexa…did not see anything weird in that, shouldn’t an [Insect] be able to continue their species?

 

“So?” Alexa questioned.

 

“So she says…” Glory shrugged, “Then the problem is, are those born from Insect Core Users Humans or Monsters?”

 

…what? That was the whole issue? What was the deal with these [Humans]? Alexa was this close to getting annoyed at them, no wait. Wasn’t that the same problem that [Sam] had?

 

“Hmm….” Alexa stopped her train of thought; if Sam was [Human], then those Ants would be [Humans]?

 

She hadn’t gotten much [Human] biomass from the ant-like monster she fought, so maybe that was an offspring from a non [Insect Core User]? Impossible.

 

“Can we track the growth and expansion of the [Insect Core Users]?” Alexa asked, that made the giggles stop.

 

“Assume we can.” The [Teacher] answered, the big screen changed and showed arrows with graphs and data.

 

“If we can track the original [Insect Core Users] and how they moved, we can infer whose were humans before. If we keep track of those we can accurately predict those with a percentage of being humans.” Alexa said as the map simulated the movement of some [Insect-like monsters].

 

A small group kept moving from place to place, and it even showed how they acted more like a pack than a hive, the video accelerated showing them settling up in a central cave from where their spawns started spreading.

 

Their spawns then mingled with other hives and…

 

“They all ended within two generations interlinking with the suspected Human descendant.” Glory said covering her mouth.

 

“Then….they all are…” Alan sat down with a white face.

 

“Correct.” The [Teacher] said coldly, “That is why we didn’t just nuke their cities, we are…late.”

 

The map showed the map of the city filled with [Ants], “The theory was submitted by the CEO of the Saintsworths Conglomerate. He also took some samples and proved the presence of Human DNA within the hive.”

 

That was a lie.

 

She had taken plenty of samples from those [Ants] when they fought against her. They didn't have [Human] DNA.

 

Why?

 

“So they are making sure they don't spread?” Alexa asked as she saw the video advance and show how a wall was built to prevent their spread. "They keep them contained within their nest, and...do what?"

 

The video showed multiple points of view from the wall, she recognized the [Gun] emplacements. Those were the same that had been used against her when she had started her escape attempt.

 

Those hurt.

 

"The idea is to wait for a Core User with the correct Power to reverse the Monster transformation. But even if we get that, we also need something else. Anyone can guess what?" The [Teacher] seemed invested in this part of the question.

 

Alan raised his hand with trepidation.

 

"Yes Harmonia?" The [Teacher] smirked and pointed at Alan.

 

No, he had smirked, but a mana wave flooded the area and the smirk was gone? Or not. Alexa could see it, but she also could see his face superimposed with the usual stoic demeanor.

 

"I assume you are guiding us into answering a Mind Core User, but those are highly illegal and must be closely monitored even when allowed to use their power." He answered.

 

"Impossible! Not after the Scrambler. No politician, president or anyone in power would allow a single Mind Core User near a hive of Core Users capable of destroying a city!" Glory stood pointing at the video of the walled-off city. "Assuming every single Ant is human or has some part of a human, then that would mean that city is..."

 

"A city full of [Core Users] with the power to turn from an Ant Hive into normal Humans. A city of [Ant Shape Shifter Core Users]." Alexa chimed in, everyone horrified at her for even saying that. "What? That is what they are, right? [Limited Shapeshifters] with some degree of [Telepathy] to fight since they are [Hive Insects]."

 

"That they are Alexandra Saintsworths, so shouldn't we be thankful to our Saintsworths Overlords for making sure they don't expand?" The [Teacher] said nodding to her.

 

Alexa now was sure, this [Teacher]... He was also a [Core User], probably one with similar powers to Meli-Meli...and yet... He was wielding them openly?

 

Perhaps there was something alose here, she would ask [Eleanore] when the classess ended.