Binary Love (18+)

Arachne

Nova looked like a complete mess.

Her short hair was tangled in the back, scruffy from sleep, with a dull tone that implied it hadn't been washed recently. The usual smudges of oil and grease painted her overalls, as well as her face. Protective googles hung from around her throat, pulled down to hang like a chunky necklace, splattered with specks of dried blue liquid.

The turquoise lights from the holo call gave her skin a sickly hue, and darkened the bags under her eyes.

With a lazy, relaxed movement, Nova lifted her mug of cold coffee in a 'cheers', before gulping down a mouthful of the good stuff. The liquid ambrosia had helped her get through the last slog, but the crash was bound to be brutal. 

"Mornin' Rosa," Nova's gruff voice was low and clipped. The long hours of working on the nanobots, as well as some hasty side projects, had left her throat sore. She was pretty sure she had also worn these overalls the day before, if the embedded stains were anything to go by.

Of course, Rosalind's pristine and professional persona was in top form. Delicate gold eyeliner complimented her chestnut skin, while her crisp white medical uniform had been cleaned to a high sheen. Her thick lips were embellished by a golden coating, with a stripe running down her chin and throat, following the current beauty trend.

"I've looked over the data you've sent me... If you've discovered how they're programmed, just imagine the possibilities! Nanotechnology of this calibre could help make great strides for medicine, for technology-"

"For Earth Tech?"

"For everyone, if you can crack it before they do." Rosa's hologram flickered slightly, before coming back into focus. "If the technology was shared with various companies and species, then it would remove the opportunity for Earth Tech to have a monopoly."

Nova shook her head in disagreement, rubbing the back of her neck in frustration.

"It's not as easy as that, unfortunately. It seems that the nanos are made from rare materials, would need specialist equipment to make, and someone that was experienced in nano technology. Adapting the coding, then creating tailored cybernetics to match... At present, I would say only two companies could pull that off. Maybe three, if we include Cercopes Lair, but they would only be interested in selling on the black market." 

The both of them let that information hang in the air. It was like they had breathed in stagnant air, leaving a bad taste in both of their mouths. 

"That's no where near enough..." Rosa sighed, letting her face scrunch up briefly at the thought. "If Earth Tech already have their sights on this, they're likely ahead of the game. Cercopes would play dirty to catch up... It would be a blood bath."

"Or we would see them working together to out play the competition. That would be just as bad." Nova couldn't think of a way to even the stakes without given one company an advantage. If they wanted to saturate the market, and therefore avoid this advanced nano technology from being misused or under legislated, they would need several more honourable companies to be able to create their own versions. 

"So, you've made a break through, but can't risk using it." Rosa couldn't hide her frustration; she was a true scientist at heart, and empathised with Nova having to keep silent about something so monumental. 

"Well," Nova replied with a smirk, "not quite..."

Tentatively, she reached for the small black container that had sat unnoticed on her work surface. The box made out of recycled fibres and had a lacquered coating. It was out of place, considering that everything else in her workshop wasn't nearly as neat. With a satisfying click, she flicked up the magnetic lock up, letting the lid automatically lift open. Far too proud of herself, she angled the box towards Rosa, showing off her latest creation.