Novels2Search
The Collective
Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Together Myc and I waited for the blaze of evidence destroying fire to wink out of existence. Apparently there was little I could do to help Myc till it figured something out that was test worthy. It made me feel kind of useless, being a little lab rat, just waiting to be tested on.

If you wish to help, some better ideas may come in handy. Although you cannot help with the theoretical creation and only the practical application. I do need some ideas to test, especially while you sleep.

“Okay, well let me see what you have so far.” Searching through the last hour of Myc’s memories revealed shockingly little. It appears Myc was having some creative block on practical applications of the human body that weren’t obvious. General increases in muscle mass, better stretching of ligaments and tendons for increased flexibility, and more developed brain stem to increase reflexes. To be honest I was a little underwhelmed.

It is not as easy as it looks. You will need something to better defend yourself, but it is better to be used in a general capacity. Specific tools are good for specific jobs, and without knowing what threats we could face it is useless to think about.

“I suppose so.” Making my skin into rubber may help if we ever face something that is capable of conducting electricity as a weapon. Otherwise it would just be a waste of time and resources. So we needed something that could be used in nearly any situation, decent benefit with mild loss. “I have no idea.”

It is difficult.

“Hmmm, hmm, hmm, uhhhhh. I don’t know.” Crouching down, onto the woodland floor. I questioned what kind of abilities would be useful in a fight against an unknown threat. Pushing a stick through the dirt, trying to get my mind to give me a reasonable answer to an open ended question. Seeing a few small ants start to make their way through my new miniature obstacle course. “Maybe we can look up some animals, to get a better idea of the biological limits.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

That may be helpful, although I am not certain. Many animals intake certain chemicals that your body may not have, or is incapable of processing. So it will take more time to adjust your body to the foreign materials and then we need to find a use for it.

“Okay, so we need an animal that is capable of doing something as a defensive measure. While also hopefully capable of using the already present chemicals in my body.” Looking down at the ants, carrying their small morsels back to the hive. “What about ants?”

Many ants use numbers and mandibles to rip limbs off their enemies. While mandibles may be useful, they are also overwhelmingly obvious. We are trying to hide in plain sight, at least until we have large enough numbers.

“Hmm, what about the ones that spray acid.” Thinking back to a nature documentary that talked about the massive wars that ants have. Those between their own varied species and those of other species like termites. Some create acid to stop infections from spreading through their food supply or to use as a weapon when fighting their massive mini wars.

That may actually work, the limiting of diseases is one of the ways your stomach acid is used. Creating a few muscles to contract the stomach and increasing the mucus used to protect your stomach lining up your throat and into your mouth. Could theoretically allow you to spit acid, blinding enemies and even dissolving metals.

“Yum, mucus covering the inside of my mouth. That doesn’t sound disgusting and uncomfortable at all.”

I would create the glands and only start the secretion process when it is needed. Although I will need to do more research on the exact method of hydrochloric acid and mucus excretion creation.

“Cool. Well at least that is something.” A loud crack, brought my attention back up to the small pit. The fire was already starting to die out, a few small flames flickered around the last of the embers. “Alright time to go then.”

Kicking some dirt over the small pit, trying my best to make it seem as if there wasn’t a fire here at all. Tossing the small circles of rocks into random patches of wood, made it seem like just another sinkhole. Then taking a roundabout path back through the woods and eventually back to the lot where I parked.

We have done what we could for now, unfortunately the witnesses who brought you to the hospital and medical records of you staying still exist. We just have to hope no one will make the connection.

“Alright, we have stalled for long enough, we gotta start scouting out Martin’s house. Then rob him for all that he is worth.” My nerves were already starting to get to me, the thought of going into this guy's house while he slept was worrying. Possibly getting caught or arrested, not knowing what to do when something inevitably went wrong. Taking a deep breath to steel my nerves I got into my car, and proceeded to the last known address of Martin’s house.