Play Testers Wanted Pt. 14

"Holy shit, she's been exposed to an Infinity Stone!" I gasped.

"I should remind you, so have you." Traci remarked snickering. "The Eye of Agamotto."

"Oh yeah, I forgot." I said. "Wake her up before we get to the rendezvous if you can."

"Leave it to me boss." Traci promised as the tube brightened and the defrosting process began.

I returned to the bridge like everything was normal. Gimmick was talking about what he was going to buy with his cut of this raid. I praised his invention again as it allowed us to hit quick and get the best loot in minimal time.

"What is our estimated take Mr. Gimmick?" I asked as I winked at Ynariel and Caiera.

"If we sell the girl and the cryo-tube... kidding!" He deleted it from the official record and continued. "With the Boss Lady getting her twenty percent cut we make enough bank to restock the Dancer, and each of take fifty thousand and of course you get seventy as Captain. Your share is higher, much higher..."

"Is my crew happy?" I called out and both Yautja and the others cried out joyfully. "There is your answer Mr. Gimmick. Greed is a poison and I refuse to imbibe it. I would rather have friends than rivals."

"We are family... Yowzah!" Sentinel cried out. "Naked woman at your six, boss man." I turned to see the girl from the cryo-tube, but her appearance was changed. Her once long blonde hair was jet black with a new undercut style that reminded me of the character Sombra. Even her pubes had been dyed and trimmed neatly. Her face was youthful, and I guessed her between nineteen and twenty-two at the most. Her breasts were just the perfect size at a full C cup with puffy inverted nipples. She giggled as if drunk and a flash of blue light flared from her sapphire eyes. I felt the kiss of the Space Stone wash over me.

"Well hello!" I greeted her.

"Crewmember Null reporting for duty," she said with a giggle and a tumble as she lost her balance. I caught her in my arms and supported her.

"Null eh? Ynariel, can you and Caiera get her dressed? I am afraid if I do, we will miss our appointment with Aleta." I requested.

"Work... work... work..." the she-elf sniggered. "Come on sweet thing. Oh damn!" The loud slapping sound of Ynariel's cupped hand on the other's ass cheek. Caiera purred and took Null's other arm and whispered something into the newcomer's ear.

"Hoo! I think I am going to like working here." Null gasped.

"It is never dull on board the Ghostdancer." Gimmick laughed. "Who is she?"

"No clue, but we will figure it out after we meet up with Aleta. Speaking of." I stated as Traci warned me that we were getting ready to drop out of hyperspace. "Real space insertion in 3... 2... 1..." The chromatic swirl was replaced with the familiar sight of Captain Aleta's massive starship the Star Hawk. We took refuge in the docking bay of the larger vessel. Aleta and some of her crew were waiting for us. Gimmick and Sentinel joined me since Caiera, Ynariel and Null were otherwise busy. "Boss." I said greeting her as Gimmick handed her the tablet showing our haul. She looked genuinely surprised. Aleta accepted the tablet and looked at the contents of our hold.

"I thought you failed or missed them in transit." She commented.

"Why?" I asked. Instead of replying a subtle gesture passed between her and a cute Arcturian gal who held up a holographic display disk. She activated it showing the latest news report from Hala, the Kree home world. There was no mention of a heist, pirates, nothing. I understood Aleta's confusion.

"Excellent haul Ghost," She stated. "Any complications?" She asked as Gimmick and Sentinel fidgeted.

"Does an Accuser count?" I asked.

"What happened?!" She demanded her eyes narrowing.

"No distress signal sent out, dead Accuser, and the best shit in my hold." I informed her.

"Your crew killed an Accuser," the cute Arcturian asked.

"No, my pet, Ghost dispatched him, didn't you?" Aleta asked.

"Damn straight," I declared when she slapped me and got in my face.

"What else was on that ship Ghost?!" She growled.

"Did I fail to mention the cryo-tube?" I replied maintaining eye contact. You never show fear amongst the Ravagers it can be lethal.

"Who was in it?" She asked with a serpentine smile on her lovely lips.

"A girl calling herself Null." I told her being honest.

"Null." Aleta stated as her aide looked up the name. The girl shook her head.

"Nothing. No Project Null... nada." She explained.

"Fah, we are wasting time. Let us take our tribute and send Ghost on his way." She hissed unhappily as her finger tapped the shipping crates she wanted. She took far less than was due to her. Something was wrong and she knew it. Fuck! Her crew went aboard and removed the allotted cargo and we left once they were off my ship.

"Mr. Gimmick..." I stated as we cloaked our ship as we watched the Star Hawk fire up its engines and make its jump.

"I'm on it boss." Gimmick replied as he sought out the tracking device Aleta had placed in our cargo hold. I fired up my security link and watched the Star Hawk head for the edge of Kree space.

"Bitch." I laughed. "Mr. Grit make for the Morag Sun Nebula run silent run deep."

"Attention crew, running silent... be advised of stealth protocols." Grit's voice came over the speakers as we made the transition.

Gimmick returned to the bridge and held up three fingers. He had found three transponders left by Aleta's crew. He put them in a disposal tube and launched it into the abyss. I ordered a change of direction mid jump. Unlike most ships the Dancer can initiate a second drive system, in this case the Bifrost drive and change mid jump.

The Dancer settled onto the landing port on the resort world of Paradise Prime. There were two reasons for this destination. The first was a short stint of R&R for the crew. The second was a chance to see the little used Grand Library. The existence of the library was an interesting story. Two hundred years prior a mapping crew funded by an independent university discovered the Paradise system. They called it that because of its unique planetary arrangement. They laid claim to the entire system and declared neutrality. The powers that be agreed upon their sovereign status and used the worlds for rest, relaxation, and retirement. The pact came to be known as the Miracle Concordant. Not only did the rival powers ratify it, it has lasted unchallenged and unbroken for the entire two centuries.

I wanted to get some swimming in before I hit the library. The place was quite literally perfect. The pink lemonade offered was equally impressive. The crew except the Yautja enjoyed the water. Play is not exactly something their culture embraces. I respected that and did not push the point. Null, Caiera, and Ynariel looked to be hitting it off and after the fiasco with Elsa and Ariel, I gave them all the time and space they wanted. Sentinel, Void, and I sat in the shallow end of the pool with a nervous looking Gimmick.

"Why here boss?" Sentinel asked as she supported her torso with her arms and arched her back giving us a clear view of her cleavage.

"There are four planets sharing the same orbit." I said and continued. "I wanted to see if I could find out why. After we finish swimming, I am going to visit the Great Library." I stated as an automated buoy puttered over and activated its waterproof holographic system.

"You requested access to the library sir?" An artificial voice asked.

"Yeah, I'd like a full rundown on the four worlds in the Paradise system." I stated.

The holographic librarian gave me access to the geological and astronomical data I wanted. One of the major curiosities about this system were the four earth sized worlds that shared the same distance from their parent star. They were equidistant from each other and moved on a clockwork circular orbit. This star system was clearly artificial. Some forgotten power had created this perhaps for the very same reason to rest. I pulled up the holographic images of the four worlds in question. I examined them and at first, I thought four chosen worlds had been brought here with technology that far outstripped anything any of the galactic powers possessed.

"Interesting." I mused as I felt Ynariel approach wearing her new bikini. Null and Caiera hung close and wore nothing at all. Caiera had lost her precious collar already. I was surprised to see that so soon.

"This must be very important." Ynariel purred. "If you are spending down time studying planets. So, this is the famed Paradise system. Four near identical worlds sharing the same orbit. What is bothering you?" She asked picking up my thoughts. "No! That isn't possible!" She gasped as Null hugged the she-elf from behind and Caiera from the front.

"Look." I laughed holding up the four holograms one at a time. "Perhaps we can do this later? You seem otherwise engaged." I broke out in a full belly laugh seeing the two women snuggle her so closely.

"What does this mean?" She asked her face pale.

"It means the worlds are not similar but identical. Some ancient power built four identical planets and placed them here as a show of their talent and raw power. The why escapes me." I said in awe of that level of technology. "I am thrilled you three are hitting it off so well."

"Despite her memory loss, there are certain talents that remain." Ynariel giggled. They joined us in the pool and they each took a sip of my pink lemonade. Ynariel smacked her lips while Null seemed to remember something. Caiera found the smell not to her liking. Gimmick continued to keep looking up and I laughed.

"What is so funny?" He asked his cheeks turning crimson.

"We are friends, right?" I asked him and he nodded. "So, do not take this the wrong way, but I don't trust anyone completely." I stated and he froze. "Traci found your little surprises. She is not coming Gimmick. Relax we are on holiday."

"You are not angry?" He asked.

"Nope, I bet the money was impressive. Aleta likes to micromanage her captains. What are your thoughts on a civilization that can fashion four identical planets, put them in a stable circular orbit, and maintain that for eons?" I queried him.

Gimmick examined the four holograms and I watched the wheels turn. His keen intellect was engaged, and he relaxed at last. The party went well into the afternoon when the Shi'Ar pleasure cruiser landed next to the Ghostdancer. None of the crew missed how one of the Shi'Ar stumbled over and tried to touch the hull of my ship. He cried out as one of the Yuatja decloaked and I could see she had him by the wrist. His curse could be heard across the distance.

"Do you know who I am?" The drunk asked. He flinched at whatever Isolenti had said to him. "Prey?!"

"Aw shit," I cursed and teleported between them.

"Get away from me, you are getting my finest suit wet." He raged. "I will have you put in chains!"

"Sir... Sir... SIR!" His valet yelled at his employer. "It is him. It is Hero Ghostfire!"

"I do not care if he is... what? Still. I am..." he stammered trying to maintain the ever present superior Shi'Ar attitude.

"I know who you are Marquis K'Lan the Fourth. You are the trumped-up bastard of Z'Lan the Perpetually Shit Faced. He fucked one of his Kree slaves and you were the result. You murdered your mother to hide the fact and then you hired an assassin to kill dear old dad. Did I leave anything out?" I listed off the data my access to the Shi'Ar mainframe, a gift from the Empress as a thanks for restoring their home world. A key part of that information was the list of legal contracts to the Assassin's Guild.

"Lies!" He shrieked reaching for something.

"If you draw a weapon I will be in my rights as a citizen of the Empire to kill you where you stand." I warned him the warmth leaving my voice. I spied the grip of a personal beam weapon. Isolenti bristled as she saw it as well. "Think of your harem, if I kill you, they become my property. Right ladies?"

"Yes Hero!" They purred eager to see bloodshed. His fragile grip on his self-control snapped. He pulled the weapon. I sidestepped and Isolenti's arm blade clove his heart in his chest. He was dead before his corpse hit the ground.

"I warned you. My bodyguard saved me unfortunate waste of effort. Does anyone argue with my claim of self-defense?" I asked.

"No sir." The corpse's valet declared. "He won't be missed."

"I need a good seneschal to maintain my estate on the Home World. What is your name?" I asked the valet. Shi'Ar tradition and law was quite clear. The winner of any duel or challenge receives the loser's property and title.

"Y'Chan Sir!" He declared proudly. I looked him and his family up on the archives.

"You are cousins with the corpse. It seems that Z'Lan pulled some shenanigans and robbed you and yours. Listen Y'Chan, I like the Shi'Ar most of the time. I want to do right by custom and law. I will give you three years to run my affairs. If you prove an effective administrator, we shall see. Join us at the pool now." I ordered. Y'Chan and the three courtesans left me with the corpse.

"Your kill... your trophy." I whispered as Isolenti reached down and tore M'Lan's spine and skull from his body. She showed restraint and did not howl and display it where all could see. "Have one of the others guard the ship while you clean it."

"Thank you, Clan Leader." Isolenti purred. I teleported the corpse into orbit and used a utility spell to clean up the mess on the ground and me. It would not look good to reappear covered in blood.

I rejoined the others by the pool. Ynariel had ordered food and wine in abundant quantities. The celebration had begun. I could tell that Gimmick was not in his element. While he enjoyed the presence of so many gorgeous women, he was shy by nature. I sat with him and asked him how his study of the Servo-Skull and its complex cybernetics. His eyes lit up and he spoke with confidence and he enjoyed his small audience. One of the Shi'Ar courtesans listened with great interest.

"...the cables are hard wired and contain nanites that carry most of the coding and instructions allowing the flesh and technology to blend." He stated his hands moving and gesturing excitedly. "I must be boring such a beautiful woman like you."

"You think me beautiful?" She replied as she moved closer and I left them alone. "My name is Myrrin. So, I suppose the nanites create a data conduit to replace a true artificial intelligence with one of whatever species the skull belongs to. What a terrible end." She shuddered but not in disgust and more like going to a horror movie. Her expression matched his. Gimmick had found a kindred soul.

'Playing matchmaker now my love?' Ynariel's thoughts brushed mine.

'We all need someone to share our lives with.' I replied.

On a one to ten I rated the party an eight, only because the nudity level never quite reached outrageous. I tucked everyone into bed and saved the game as a flashing red message popped into my view.

'Overdue: Mandatory Rest Period Required.'

I was not surprised. I had not even slept before the kerfuffle with Kat and the mention of other artificial intelligences and my sudden return to the game. I entered the White Room and made sure my things were properly saved, stowed in my tower, and only then did I leave the game. I transitioned from the White Room to another blank format. I was out of the game and yet not fully conscious.

"This is bad!" I gasped in surprise.

"I got you boss," Traci replied. "Your BMI has been damaged. Your body is unharmed, but you cannot transition back yet."

"Where the hell am I?" I asked calmly wondering why I had not logged out already.

"This aspect of you does not have access to your chemical brain. You are all logic here. Here is a safe room designed by Master Nick that quarantines interaction between yourself and the outside world."

"Show me the current condition of my BMI." I directed and examined it. I was surprised how much game mechanics allowed me to understand real world technology.

"There is only one thing that can be done. I need your consent for a two-fold solution." Traci requested her tone serious and supportive simultaneously.

"I am listening." I stated feeling numb despite the possible dire situation.

"First I must repair perhaps even upgrade your BMI. Second I must purge it completely of data." She informed me.

"What happens to me and my game data?" I asked not wanting to start over with a new character.

"I will save game files to a portion of the auxiliary cloud server. It is held aside for emergencies. This portion of your consciousness will be merged with your biological aspect if all goes as planned. There may be gaps." Traci stated but my options were extremely limited.

"Do it." I said. "Send in the nanites. Restore it to factory settings."

"One moment please. Transferring files from White Room to Aux Backup 90987. Testing. Files are stable. Restoring to factory settings Alpha Romeo Tango 21548. Hold onto your hat." Traci said nervously. "I cannot guarantee perfect coherence. Here goes nothing... I mean good luck boss."

Entering the Shadows:

I opened my eyes. I blinked as mind and body acclimated to one another. They both rebelled equally. My head screamed while my stomach twisted in knots. My vision was blurred for a moment until I felt something rub against my eyes and my world was brought into focus. I was floating in a metal and glass cylinder filled with fluid. It was not water since I was inhaling it and taking oxygen from it. I tried to lift my hand, but I was strapped down.

"Relax. You are safe." Kat Shaw's voice came over speakers within the cylinder. "You nearly burned out your BMI. It has been repaired. We are about to deliver the final treatment to finish your upgrade. Try and keep still."

I nodded my head. A slender needle thin tube entered my field of vision. A dark cloud of what looked like ink shot from the business end of it. I breathed it in and felt lightheaded for a little while as it went to work. I drifted off to sleep and woke later in my bed refreshed and feeling human. Kat lay next to me covered in sweat and gasping.

"You alright?" I asked and she giggled.

"I have never been... what I mean is... wow!" Kat gasped.

"Did we?" I asked and frowned. "Aw man! The last thing I remember is being in that tank. What happened?"

"You burned out your Brain Machine Interface. It was not designed to handle the kind of activity you put it through. You have been upgraded to a more suitable model." She explained as she rolled on top of me. "You get to test out a model we are offering to a select group of the military. It allows for silent communication between team members along with high end data access and other features."

"Silent eh. That sounds great in maneuvers and stealth situations." I agreed. "So, I worked my old BMI so hard is wore out."

"Yeah. Surprised the hell out of us." Kat stated as she kissed the side of my neck. "Scared me to death."

"How about you remind me of what I missed out on." I urged as my hands settled onto her ass cheeks. We made love and brought back the memories I thought I had lost. Kat fell asleep in my arms and I held her close. I closed my eyes and tried to access the new BMI. I wanted to get a feel for it. I was able to create my own white room and populate it as I saw fit. Imagine if you will the load out area in the movie the Matrix. I furnished it as I would a comfy apartment with Traci acting as my roommate. "I think I might get to like this."

"I failed you." She said her voice low and sorrowful. "I was so amazed at how well you adjusted to the technology I never watched for physical damage. If you want to replace..."

"We will have none of that." I said stopping her in her tracks. "We all learn as we grow. I think it is a fine sense of how well Nick programmed you. Quit beating yourself up over this. Let us move on and show me what this new toy can do."