DC Technomancer: Chapter 3

Had the words come from anyone other than Nex, Victor would have assumed they had serious self esteem issues. But he knew that Nex was simply stating cold hard facts.

‘Very well then, thank you for organizing this.’ Victor responded as he browsed through Nexus looking for an article on robotics. 

[I am simply fulfilling my purpose] 

Reading through the first article he found Victor expected to have trouble focusing on the digital text. He had struggled in school spending hours every day sitting in a classroom memorizing pointless information that would serve him no purpose in life made his mind wander. 

But the instant Victor’s eyes caught sight of the first line of text, he was hooked. In a trance Victor blurred through the article reading at a rate that would make other’s heads spin. Before he knew the article was done, over 1000 pages of dense text and diagrams were memorized and understood. 

‘That was odd,’ Victor commented as he came out of his trance,’How much time has passed since I started?’ 

[1 hour twenty five minutes and 3 seconds]
[Would you like to see your progress?] 

‘Sure, how many points do I have to go?’ 

Instead of answering him a screen popped up in front of Victor’s eyes. 

[Theoretical Research Completed: +100 RP]
[You have completed: Robotic Engineering I]
[Downloading Information]
[Research File Unlocked: Robotic Engineering II]
[Would you like to research: Robotic Engineering II?]
[Y/N]

Before Victor could interact with the prompt a surge of electricity passed through his mind as a new wave of information settled into his brain. The feeling wasn’t unpleasant, but it wasn’t pure bliss either. But the aftermath was worth it. 

Shaking off his stupor Victor selected yes and began researching Robotic Engineering II. Even now in the afterglow his mind was racing with ideas, they were half baked and he had no idea how to execute them, but the difference now was that Victor knew what pieces of the puzzle were missing. 

But before Victor could delve back into his research he felt a shift in the datastream surrounding him. Someone had entered the keycode to unlock the hidden elevator that led to the red room. Tapping into the security feed Victor stared at his father standing alone in the elevator, his face was a somber mask a mix of grief, anger, and stout resolve.  

The scene tugged on Victor’s heart strings and he frowned before delving into the memories he had inherited. As it turned out Silas hadn’t been a very good father, largely ignoring Victor especially after the death of his mother Elinore who was Silas’ wife. They often argued and disagreed with Silas openly opposing Victor’s decision to become a football player. But Victor guessed that the old him still housed some need for fatherly approval and his selfless act had reawakened some paternal instinct in Silas.

Coming to a decision Victor hacked the PA system in the elevator, “Hello father.” 

Silas jumped and he looked around wildly, “Who's there?!”

“It’s me father, Victor, I’m awake now and I’ve been very busy.” 

“I-is it really you?! So my plan…it worked!” A board smile spread across Silas’ face and all at once Victor realized why he had been in such a dower mood before. 

‘He doesn’t care about my life, only the success of his research project. How typical of him.’ Victor sighed to himself, thankful he had possessed the emotional indifference of a hardened criminal, ‘Otherwise I imagine I would be crying my heart out.’ 

“Yes it did…in more ways than you can imagine. Come, we have much to discuss.” 

Silas nodded eagerly with a mad gleam in his eyes, “Yes and so many experiments I need to run.” 

Opening his eyes Victor wished he could sigh, but full body paralysis really was a pain, ‘I’ll have to deal with him eventually, any ideas Nex?’ 

[The moment he is no longer useful I suggest that he be terminated] 

Victor chuckled darkly, ‘You’re one cold bastard aren’t you.’ 

[I simply made a calculation of risk and reward]
[Your father presents both opportunity and danger]
[Currently we are at our most vulnerable with his…help…we could significantly expedite our recovery process] 

‘Fine, but no promises that I won't try and kill the man if he starts pissing me off.’ 

Nexus fell silent as the elevator doors opened, and Victor watched through the security cameras as his father rushed over to his side, “Victor! Victor, are you really awake!?”

“Yes father,” Victor responded as Silas’ face appeared above him, “Though I’m currently  paralyzed from the neck down.” 

Silas frowned, “That is unfortunate…but we have more important things to focus on!” 

Silas disappeared from Victor’s line of sight but he continued to speak, “The device I used to preserve your life was a piece of alien technology unlike any I have ever seen. I suspected it was some form of computing device but the energy signatures it gave off were more inline with a power generator.” 

Victor didn’t respond, instead listening intensely to his father’s words, ‘Nex do you remember anything about your origin?’ 

[No, I believe my memory was wiped, however I am certain that my capabilities were expanded beyond even my comprehension] 

“So Victor, tell me, how has the cube affected you? I assume your intellect has received a significant boost?” Silas’ asked his voice even further away. 

Victor let a sly smile spread across his face, “Oh most definitely father, I even suspect I am smarter than you.” 

There was a pause and Victor could almost feel the indignation rolling off his father in waves, “Hm, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Though I’m glad you feel so confident, god knows you were a bit lacking before the incident.” 

‘Nex, remember how I said no promises?’ 

[I strongly suggest you withhold your violent tendencies for the moment]
[We have a great deal to prepare for]

‘Hear you loud and clear, but as you will learn I have serious anger issues’

[I can review your previous life’s memories at will, I have already learned]
[Fortunately I do have solution]
[If you allow me too, I can divide your consciousness into multiple each with their own level of autonomy] 

‘Hmm…any change of these mini-me’s rebelling and trying to take over my mind.’ 

[No, they would essentially be unfeeling entities that can never be greater than the whole. Given enough time you’ll forget they’re even there] 

‘Very well, go ahead and create one so I don’t have to talk with this self obsessed asshole. In the meantime I have some projects to research.’