Symbiota Sapiens

Chapter 18

"Well, well...what have we here?" 

The voice was distorted, mechanical. The face it came from was blurred for some reason. But I knew I was seeing none other than the godfather from before. Julian looked up at the voice, recognition on his face.

“You!" Everything blurred for a moment and then was back to normal.

The godfather was talking some more.

"You are a most accomplished warrior, young man. Sixty-four second-stage autonoids in less than five minutes. Very impressive. Oh, I see you've managed to make use of the facilities to wash the gore from your hands."

Julian nodded wordlessly. Face tight with tension, keeping his body facing forward, ready to defend himself. 

"Not talking, hmm? Well that's fine for now. As impressive as you are, you're only a mortal. Still, I look forward to studying your fighting skills from the inside, once things have developed properly. Obviously, the programs running my autonoids could use some improvement."

"Fuck you."

"Oh no. Unlike our mutual friend, I'm not really into boys, you see. But I see your point. My, but little Jeremey has been quite...productive, lately! Quite the little war of the worlds you've got going on inside you. I suppose the sex probably wasn't bad either was it?"

Julian looked about to tell him to fuck off, thought better of it and just shut his mouth, his lips compressing into a thin angry line. 

The godfather came forward, standing just in front of Julian, his blurred face tipped downwards to study him. 

"Interesting improvisations. Based on the default caretaker model of course...only adapted for actual drone-to-drone combat. Hmm. I don't think anyone's ever done this before. Whole new field, I think. I'll definitely want to study this."

 A hand shot out and closed around Julians neck, pinning him to the wall with his feet dangling.

 "Just a bit of a sample, I think."

There was a flash of metal, and blood welled from the side of Julian's neck. A finger dipped into it and disappeared in the blur...obviously going into the godfather's mouth. He released his grip and Julian fell to the floor, rolling instinctively into a corner where he huddled in a defensive crouch.

The godfather ignored him, sucking on his finger and tipping his head to the side as if in thought.

"Hmm, programming is altered too. Very good, not the standard stuff from an unguided AI...I suppose he must have some programming experience I'm not aware of. Quite proficient, even. And...wait, what's this?"

He wheeled on Julian. Julian tensed, waiting for another attack. 

"I don't suppose you could enlighten me as to this little virus I just found in your blood?"

Julian said nothing, just watching him warily. There was another flash of metal and Julian's head snapped backwards as if struck.

"Come now. The virus. What is it?" The godfather snapped, impatient.

Julian, dazed, shook his head in confusion.

"What...a virus?"

"Yes. Virus. In your blood." The godfather ground out. 

"I...they said the caretakers would...I'm not...sick?" Julian protested.

"Hmm. Good question." The godfather tipped his head again, considering.