Drone Metastasis Ch. 03

Jack grunted as he heard the knock at the door. It was still a weekday, but he hadn't changed from his pajamas. He liked to be leisurely until after breakfast. It helped him to gradually step up to the work day instead of rushing to get out the door. Going to bed early and rising early was the most surefire way to be successful.

With that in mind, he looked through the peephole before opening the door. He didn't much care if his neighbors saw him in his flannels, but he didn't feel like greeting a delivery man. As it was, there was nobody evident, so he popped open the latch and took in the small box sitting on the porch.

Odd. He had never had a delivery this early in the day, and he hadn't remembered ordering anything online recently.

He retrieved the box and looked at the label. No return address. Even stranger.

Bringing it inside, he stepped into the kitchen, where his wife was working at making breakfast. "Honey, did you order anything yesterday?"

He blinked when his wife answered him by gesturing at the vid screen sitting on the counter. Frowning, he moved closer so he could hear the newscasters gathered around their desk.

The one with a heart shaped face lit up the screen with a broad smile. "Welcome to Stacksville channel twelve, my name is Peach, and we're happy to have you here this morning."

The other newscaster shuffled a stack of paper, her blonde hair drawn back in a ponytail. "And I'm Monica." She stared at the pickup with intensity, in an attempt to look professional. "Today a new beauty enhancement center is opening up in town."

Her face vanished, replaced with footage of a store front. "This area has been abandoned for years, but now, the area is revitalizing as the job market stabilizes."

Monica stepped inside, the interior looking like a nail salon. Chairs were arranged down one wall, helmets for creating perms looming from their tops. "I visited there yesterday. Danielle is the owner. She says that foot traffic is up, and is optimistic that some of the worst areas of town will soon be cleaned up."

The footage cut to Monica pointing a microphone at a younger woman with plugs embedded in her ears. Her skin was a shocking blue color, her hair dyed purple. "Yes, it's almost busier here than I can handle," she was saying. "I opened up for a preview yesterday, and we almost couldn't handle the rush!"

"Your new look is becoming quite popular," commented the reporter.

"Yes," replied the stylist, stroking a blue cheek. "Everyone wants to look like the Hivarians! It's almost unprecedented!" She turned to look at the camera. "Just make sure you color coordinate your clothing to match. If you can't figure out a good look, come on down and we can help you out!"

The footage cut away, focusing on Monica at the desk. "That's right, they're a full service beauty salon, and I can confirm they know what they're doing. I watched as they helped out a couple, and I'll be going later today myself to test out their treatments."

"All they're talking about is bullshit," said Jack, frowning. "Nothing interesting is going on, just some sort of new salon opening up in town."

"Patience, dear," said Susan, cracking an egg.

Peach looked up at the screen. "The station is receiving many calls this morning asking about mysterious packages, but there's no reason to be alarmed. The local government has announced a new program to increase worker efficiency."

She reached under the news desk and brought out a globe mounted on a wooden base. Blue liquid swirled inside, a glow emanating from within.

"New voice activated personal assistants are being distributed to all households within town. They can be used to lookup information, arrange schedules, or even play music."

Her hands rested on either side of the globe, cupping it as if it was precious to her. "If you don't have one, you may visit 3222 Major Avenue, Suite 400. They will be handing them out today, free of charge."

She grinned. "I already can't go without mine. It was so easy to setup." She looked into the globe, her eyes going cloudy. "Alphonse, play some classical," she said, her voice gentle.

Strains of an ancient melody rose through the tinny speakers of the vid screen. "You can name yours?" asked Monica. "How cute!"

Jack grunted, skeptical. "Looks like a paperweight to me," he complained, looking for a knife.

"Don't discard it before you've tried it, at least," said Susan, flipping eggs in her frying pan.

Jack made quick work of the packaging, unraveling brown paper to reveal a spherical object within. Sure enough, it looked like the device on the news cast, but it was dimmed, dormant.

He pulled it out, surprised at its weight, setting it on the kitchen table. "How does it work?" he asked, staring at it skeptically.

The globe lit up from within its base. "Welcome," it said in a sultry, female voice. "I am your family Interface. I am pleased to meet you. Would you like to configure me?"

It almost made the act sound dirty. Jack wasn't pleased.

"Can you shut up while we eat breakfast?" he asked, peering at it with suspicion.

"Jack!" exclaimed Suzy, turning to look at him with a wooden spoon dripping with pancake batter.

"What?" he asked, grumbling. "I just don't like dealing with technology."

"Approved as requested," stated the Interface. It began to glow brightly, at a painful level.

Before he could react, it flashed, leaving an imprint behind on his retina. "What the shit was that?" he asked, blinking as stars sparkled in his vision.

The globe was now glowing, swirling clouds encompassing the deepest blue he had ever seen. He approached closer, staring deep into its depths. He settled at the table, hands at his sides. His mouth dropped open and his thoughts emptied.

He only stirred when Susan sat a plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon in front of him, breaking his view of the mysterious globe. Blinking again, he took a deep breath and frowned.

"Aren't I still on a diet? Shouldn't this be a cup of fruit?"

Susan put a cup of coffee on the coaster in front of him. "Don't worry, I used a special batter. It has been formulated to fulfill your needs."

He stared at the flapjack with suspicion, prodding it with his fork. He cut into the spongy surface with the edge of his utensil, separating a tiny bite. He was about to stuff it into his mouth when the loud footsteps of the kids rumbled down the stairs.

He craned his neck to watch them as they gathered around the table. Zack looked sullen, out of sorts. "Did you have a good time last night?" asked Susan, smiling brightly.

Jack wasn't sure what she was talking about, but he knew better than to ask. He stuck the fork in his mouth to forestall an acerbic comment, begrudgingly chewing the fluffy piece of his pancake. It was surprisingly good, but he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to admit it.

Zoe came in next, dressed sloppily in a ratty t-shirt and sweatpants. Her makeup had been removed and her hair was wet. Her skin appeared a little blue, but Jack knew better than to comment on that. Probably some kind of new fashion statement.

Suzy smiled brightly, but said nothing, flipping another pancake. He was sure she knew more than she was letting on, but if he pressed her about it now, she might be less inclined to be amorous later. He knew how the game worked.

Susan put a plate in front of Zach and Zoe, both of them murmuring their thanks. Jack cleared his throat. "What is everyone's plan's today?"

Zoe was the first to jump in, her twin ponytails bouncing as she took a quick sip of water. "I'm going out with Zoe to have bubble tea. I probably won't be back for lunch."

"Let me know how Simone is doing, dear," said Susan warmly. "You came back alone last night."

Zoe glanced at her screen. "Not a problem, she's feeling fine, already planning what we should do this afternoon." She grinned at her buzzing comm screen, reading some incoming messages. "It looks like she's really eager to start!"

Jack's gaze moved to Zach. "How about you?" he asked, not really needing an answer.

Zach stared at his plate. "I'm going back into VR," he said, sullenly.

Jack sighed, looking at Susan. She shrugged. "He's a grown man and this is his school break," she said. "He gets to choose how to spend it."

"Okay," he said carefully, enunciating each syllable. He couldn't help but give Zach a disappointed stare, under which his son withered.

Susan shot Zach a sympathetic smile. "Now, remember, dear, I have exercise club this morning. I won't be back until lunchtime."

"Alright, mom," he said. "Don't worry, I can take care of myself."

A loud chime echoed through the kitchen. "It is time for morning Adulation," announced the AI.

The globe flashed again, and he found he couldn't look away. The clouds covering the surface of the sphere parted, and his mind was drawn inside, captured by the image of an eye.

It was watching him, examining his past. His foibles. His errors. His pleasures. It measured him as a man and found where he was wanting. What he needed. What he desired.

It wanted to give it to him. To see him succeed. To see him fulfill his potential. It just needed him to watch closely.

He could see no reason to deny it what it wanted. He didn't want to be upset with his family. He just wanted the best for them.

Right now, the best thing he could do was remain calm and allow the globe to train him. It would unlock his mind and teach him to find a more productive way to handle his disappointment.

After all, it wasn't his duty to make sure his son and daughter grew up to be proper Drones. Hive would take of that.

Confused, he wondered where that thought had come from. Squinting, he relaxed. It was no matter. It was not his problem to solve.

He drifted, floating through clouds as his thoughts were reshuffled. Some of what he knew was removed and replaced. Adjusted into a more proper thought alignment.

The clear skies became cloudy, his view of the eye at the center of the globe obscured. He breathed deeply, sitting back in his seat as if it had released him from its grip. Perhaps it had.

"Session complete," stated the AI, glowing warmly. "You have been Prepared."

His lips were moving. He was saying something that the AI had planted inside him, but he had lost track of what was going on as soon as the session had finished.

A new thought arose in his mind. "I have been Prepared. I must go to work," he mumbled, standing robotically and stumbling towards the bedroom.

***

Zoe stared into the mirror on top of her chest of drawers. She must have finished breakfast and moved upstairs to her room, but she couldn't remember doing so.

That should have been disconcerting, but she didn't know why. She smiled at herself, the simple gesture reassuring.

There was something she was forgetting. Something important lying on the bed behind her. She turned around, an inconspicuous cardboard box sitting on top of her comforter.

A hunger grew inside her to open the box, to explore its contents. The desire grew, a burning sensation that ran up her arms and lit her chest on fire. She moved up to the box, her eyes caught by a familiar logo printed on the label. She absolutely needed to see what was inside.

She flipped open the top, revealing a slick, black bodysuit, folded neatly. The legs draped onto the floor as she pulled it out, an outline of a body in opaque latex. Her eyes caught on the creases at the generous breast cups, admiring the craftsmanship.

The hunger was back. She needed to dress herself in this outfit. Now.

Stripping off her pajamas, she let them drop to the floor, revealing her well built body. Wearing corsets had a tendency to enhance her bust even further, making the boys drool. She loved attracting attention, and this new outfit was going to be a stunner.

Stretching open the neck hole, she rammed a leg inside, her thigh catching on the slippery material. Fortunately, with a little encouragement she was able to force it over her knee, pulling the top up to her waist. It was a bit difficult to get it past the hump, but soon it was under her shoulders.

She worked the material, stretching it upwards to lay flat against her skin, admiring the shiny surface. The outfit was turning her into a latex doll. A veritable Drone. She shuddered at the thought, wondering why it was so arousing.

She slid her arms inside, popping the top ring around her neck. It was tight, but fit perfectly. Whoever had figured out her size had done an amazing job.

She briefly thought about adding a corset, but couldn't bring herself to despoil the shiny, black surface of the Suit. It was a part of her, now, and she shouldn't add anything to it without being told.

Leaning over, she was surprised to see a circular piece of metal nestled at the bottom of the box. She knew deep down that she wasn't ready for that yet, so she left it alone, closing the top and hiding it in her closet.

She pressed her hands against her swollen breasts cupped in the latex suit and moaned. She was eager to be trained, to be owned. To clasp the circle of metal around her neck and declare her allegiance. Soon.

She was not ready yet. First, she needed to be altered. To change and enhance her body to be more perfect for Hive.

Her lips turned down in a frown, unsure what to make of her new thoughts. They were vague, but seemed so right.

Turning, she examined herself in the mirror, smiling at her shimmering figure. She was already looking like a proper Hive Drone.

A Hive Drone. She turned the phrase over in her mind and decided she liked it. It was a fitting term for what she was becoming.

Her comm beeped, and she picked it up. Simone was arriving soon. She needed to be prepared to leave.

She dressed herself with a long, ruffled skirt and a vest with opera length gloves. It would serve to hide her new outfit from prying eyes until she could be further adjusted. She wanted to be altered to serve Hive. Becoming a Drone was alright with her.

Slipping her feet into chunky heels, she grabbed a bulky coat and zipped it up as far as it would go. The weather was foul outside today, so her parents wouldn't think anything was amiss.

She skipped down the stairs, eagerly hoping that Simone would arrive soon. To keep her new state a secret she needed to avoid a conversation with her parents. Nobody else could know what Hive was doing to her.

"You have a good time, now, dear," smiled her mother, leaning out from the kitchen and peering at her bulky jacket. "Make sure to bundle up, it's going to be cold out there!"

Shit, her mother would find out what she was wearing if she didn't hurry. She quickly waved an arm and hurried out the door, almost tripping on the sill.

With relief, she noticed Simone waiting outside. She was also dressed in layers. "I am so glad to see you," remarked Zoe, almost skipping as they made their way to the transport capsule. "I was a little worried after last night."

She wasn't sure how much to tell Simone, because she didn't really remember what had happened to them at the club. Hive was making her into a Drone, but she didn't know what Hive wanted with Simone.

Simone climbed into the capsule, her legs moving over the curb. Her leather pants shifted, revealing a shiny material underneath. Zoe's breath caught, wondering if she had only imagined it.

Keeping her mouth shut, she jumped inside and the automated door swung shut. "Where are we heading to today?" she asked, her voice high pitched and cheerful.

"The Integration Center," said Simone in a monotone, staring straight ahead.

Her hands dipped downwards, undoing her hotpants. She stuffed a finger inside her snatch and moaned. "We are to be Enhanced and Sorted. Our bodies are good material for Hive."

Zoe's body jerked, hot with arousal. "We are Drones. We serve Hive," she said, her fingers wandering down to her own vagina.

"Good Drone," remarked Simone between gasps, her hips jerking as she moaned with pleasure.

***

Zach paced in front of his castle, trying very hard to figure out what had happened the previous night. He recalled vividly being attacked on a cargo ship, and venturing forth to find out who the invaders were, but everything beyond that point descended into a haze.

He had never experienced that before in VR. Games were meant to be learning experiences, to force the player to fail so that they could do better the next time. If he couldn't remember how he had failed, how could he improve?

All he had were vague impressions of pleasure and well-being. That made him both eager and nervous to play the game again. He desired to experience that feeling again, but not if he couldn't remember the experience properly afterwards!

He looked around for his friends, wanting to ask them some questions, but they hadn't yet checked in online.

Oddly enough, the area around his castle was barren. Normally, it was pretty crowded with avatars from all walks of life working on their bases, transporting cargo and buying and selling goods. Sure, morning wasn't the most popular time of day to be in VR, but there should be more than just him.

Had he accidentally joined the wrong instance? He checked his interface to make sure, but the description box in the corner declared he was on channel ninety nine in the Concord server, same as always.

Where was everybody?

A gauntleted arm tapped him on the shoulder, and he jumped, spinning to confront his assailant. "Don't freaking do that!" he yelled, shouting in Nate's face.

Nate moved his visor up, looking sheepish. "Sorry, mate," he said in his regular voice. "I forgot you don't like being touched in VR."

Zach looked at his friend in askance. "Are you feeling well? I've never seen you look so glum."

Nate twisted his lips. "I dunno, man. There's something in the air. It just doesn't feel right. Can you remember anything about our play session yesterday? Did we ever get to meet up in game?"

Zach frowned, concentrating. All he had were vague feelings, but nothing definite. He sighed. "No, I'm not really sure what happened, but I don't remember seeing you in game at all. What did you do during the tutorial?"

"Hold up, here's Dave. Let's compare notes."

Dave was thin and wobbly, his pale skin making him look more like a ghost than usual. His blonde hair was frizzy, as if he had just gotten out of the shower. "Hi guys," he said wanly.

"Okay, now I know something is really wrong. Neither of you are making bad jokes. What happened to both of you yesterday?"

They ran each other through what they could remember of the tutorial mission. Like Zach, Nate had opted for the direct approach, though he couldn't remember what he had discovered once he had arrived at the hull breach.

Dave had gone for a different strategy. He had scoured the bridge for weapons, finding some damage control supplies in a storage locker, including a heavy wrench. He had holed up on the bridge, hoping to ambush the attackers. That had apparently failed, too, as he couldn't remember anything beyond the screeching of metal on metal.

"Where does that leave us?" asked Zach rhetorically.

His friends both shrugged.

Zach ran through the scenario in his mind again, mulling over alternate options. "There's that space suit in the bridge locker," he mused. "Did either of you see a hatch to the exterior of the ship, or a way to get into the locked cargo bay door?"

They both shook their heads. Zach bit his lip. "Well, this time let's try going in together. We'll ignore any of the signals the ship gives us and try to find something useful to stop the invaders. Sound good?"

Nate raised his sword and pointed it towards the sky. "We shall chase down the invaders and give them a taste of our steel!"

Zach rolled his eyes, bringing up his interface. He double checked that both of his friends were in his group, then hit the loading button. "See you on the other side!" he shouted as his avatar deconstructed.