Imposter System

'I didn't expect much, but to get locked out of the system… Wait, something is fishy here.'

Matt rested his elbow on the table and leaned his chin against his palm. There was a huge inconsistency that he only just realized. Why is the AI studying this technology when the combat suits and mechanized suits were the peak of research? Being able to create those two things should mean anything else is a piece of cake. Sure, there was the issue of compatibility and the AI wished for a body it could inhabit, but then why was the request for combat suit research denied.

It's one thing if it was simply denied because the AI was hiding the research and wanted Matt to create something fresh. However, the fact that the researcher was blocked from the system alludes to another possibility. Perhaps Shepherd doesn't have access to the suit research. But this was Dr. Wolfe Stein's brain child. It didn't make any sense…

'Unless Dr. Wolfe Stein never worked for Shepherd to begin with!'

Matt stood up and realized he may have made a huge mistake. The day he encountered Dr. Stein; Matt assumed he was an enemy. But what if Dr. Stein was on his side? Or rather, what if Dr. Stein was at least against Shepherd. The fact that his greatest research was blocked from access by Shepherd's cohorts is a huge red flag.

'It seems that I accidently gave Shepherd a huge gift. This must be why they pushed me into this research position. They wanted me to misunderstand the situation with Dr. Stein and also have me try to crack the technology. But why do they believe I can do this? I'm just a biologist that specializes in agriculture.'

"What's wrong, Matt?"

"It's nothing, Lexi… I just needed to stretch my legs." He responded, but clarified his assumptions through telepathy with her. Alexis pondered his reasoning and thought that it made sense. This whole situation seems to be a big conspiracy.

{But Matt, if Shepherd doesn't have access to all of the systems, and is using deception and coercion to complete its grand plan, what exactly is it?}

{An artificial intelligence that was not originally part of the ship's programming… The ability to control various ship systems… Essentially hiding in plain sight. I can only think of one person capable of all of this.} Matt thought and his face turned dark.

{It… it can't be Willard!?} Alexis almost spoke out loud when she realized the possibility. If that is true, then everything he has done so far made perfect sense. The reason he was able to 'hide' from Shepherd. The reason he had so much control over various ship systems. His appearance always coincided so perfectly with Shepherd's actions.

{But if Shepherd is Willard's program, and he is the true mastermind, then what does he need this research for…} Alexis started but paused and looked at Matt. It seemed that they both already understood the reason.

{He wants to implant himself with the living metal and becoming even more powerful.} Matt was the one to put words to both of their realizations. Everything started to come together and the things that he was questioning converged on the point. Once he accepted Willard as the central figure in all of the recent happenings, he understood.

'The reason he chose me for this position is because he believed I'm like him, a super genius esper. He is extremely gifted in machines and computers, so his specialty is focused in on that aspect. However, he recruited me, a supposed biology genius that he discovered was an esper. His faith in me is part of his arrogance. Does he think I'm Sherlock and that he's Moriarty?'

Matt was originally focused on surviving and ensuring that he was hidden amongst the humans. His trajectory was good and he would reach his goal without issues. However, although he longed for peace, the people around him wouldn't allow it. Everything that has happened so far is because he was too passive. Alexis would never have gotten captured and implanted with the shock device. Sheila never would have gotten killed. Martha wouldn't have been at risk of abduction. And he wouldn't be under Willard and Shepherd's thumb.

For the first time since coming here, Matt felt a strong urge to kill. He had small impulses from his nature come up occasionally but he was able to stomp them out or hypnotize himself. However, when he thought about how Willard played him, he wanted to kill. The anger and bloodlust made a physiologic change in his body and he felt something he experienced before.

During the battle royale, he had a split-second feeling of intense strength and bloodlust. Because of this, his eyes changed to something nonhuman, causing Lorenz to see something he shouldn't have. The temperature of his body was increasing and his eyes dilated and changed. The color of his iris became yellow and his heartrate increased. Alexis noticed something weird and grabbed Matts hand.

He turned to look at her and she saw the changes in his expression. His face was scrunched in a scowl and his eyes looked scary. She gripped tighter and gave him a concerned look. She sent telepathic messages but he seemed to be subconsciously blocking them out. Seeing Alexis's worried look only made his instincts act up more.

This was his subordinate. His ally. His fiancé. She was hurt because of his peaceful nature. He would kill and devour every last—

Thud

"What…?" Matt was surprised to suddenly get hit. Alexis noticed he was losing control of himself and nothing she did was getting through to him. Matt was seeing stars and the bright ceiling light. Alexis had, in a few seconds, put him in an arm hold and done a judo throw over her shoulder. When he slammed into the ground, the wind was knocked out of him and his strange state was canceled.

"I told you I could take you down instantly…" She said loudly when several people looked over and wondered what happened.

"Huh—Ah, I guess I need more training, haha…" Matt said awkwardly realizing the situation they were in. People weren't really invested in the situation and no one cared to know more. It was not an abnormal occurrence between couples in a militaristic ship. Matt realized that his mind had started to go haywire and thought back to what just happened.

{Can you hear me now? It seemed like you were about to go on a killing spree…} Alexis was finally able to get through to him.

{Yeah. I don't know what came over me.} Matt was really confused. He looked at his status and didn't see anything new. Although he experienced something similar in the past, it wasn't anywhere near the magnitude. The only major change to his biology was the addition of cells from his ancestor. Perhaps the residual memories of war had affected him subconsciously. Matt decided to go through another round of self-hypnosis that night to suppress his berserk state.

Although his senses increased significantly and he could feel more strength in his body during that state, he lost his rationality which was his ultimate weapon. Such an ability like that was only suited for a different evolution path. In order for the two of them to overcome this hurdle, he needed brains, not brawn.

After the ruckus ended, their food finally arrived. They took their time to eat while thinking about what to do next. While Matt savored the evolution points coming in from his steak, Alexis finished hers and suddenly gasped in surprise. Matt was about to ask her what was wrong when he saw the notification come up on his end.

[Ally Alexis Alexeyev has matured!]

[Sub-Body Alpha:

Host: Alexis Alexeyev

Status: Grade 0 Parasite

Evolution Points (EP): 1

Abilities: [Fascination Lv. Max], [Fatigue Resistance Lv. 1]

Skills: [DNA Absorption Lv. 1], [Weak Hypnosis Lv. 0], [Inferior Transformation Lv. 0], [Inferior Spawning Lv. 0]]

Matt set down his silverware and smiled. Her maturation reminded him of his original plans. There was no need to change his direction. The only difference was the enemy. Instead of having to fight the whole ship's AI, he only needed to capture and force a confession out of Willard. In order to do this, he had to become stronger. Not only that, he had to free Alexis from his control.

Seeing Matt happy also brought her great joy. The connection between Matt and her increased significantly and she felt very comfortable. Not only that, but it was her first-time absorbing DNA and feeling the effects of it. It was a very pleasing experience and she was excited to start becoming stronger alongside Matt.

While Alexis was enjoying the experience of maturing, Matt brought up his personal device and sent a message to one of his subordinates. He requested a bulk shipment of the ingredients needed to stimulate Martha into producing her seeds. Although Willard knew about the formula, he could not possibly know that Matt would become stronger from it. He could simply lie and say that it would help in stopping the rejection.

'It's time for this pro gamer to power level my fiancé.'