“See, it turned out better than we had hoped. We only had to drug like two people, I thought John was gonna have to merc some people.”

“Killing them was not on the table.” John looked at me from his spot by the pond. Through Cat’s persuasion and apparently convincing story telling, three of the people were willing to stay a little longer and see what was really going on. It seemed Sarah’s little group was a bunch of eco extremists. Even if Sarah and her boyfriend weren’t willing to stay, they took the drug trip back to civilization.

The other three were a little more extreme when it came to saving the planet. The typical protests, chaining themselves to trees, and even planning on blowing up some machinery for a coal mine. It seemed they were a little more lenient on the whole following laws thing compared to Sarah.

I wasn’t sure they would stay for long though, the idea seemed nice I would know. Being part of nature, creating a new accepting society to replace the cruel real world. However, we were living in the woods, forced to bathe in a, well it was more of a lake now that the river was flowing more. Still, no running water, no real food, and hard work all day every day. I didn’t think they were all going to last until they would allow Myc to infect them.

Although since they already knew about Myc, at least to a degree. We could continue flashing our powers, I liked having scales. Although apparently an extra set of arms was ‘going too far’.

It is necessary for the work that needs to be done now. Your brain is also attempting to process more sensory input due to your enhanced sense and tail. Until I am confident in attempting increased neuronal density, then you will have to suffer the tragedy of only having two arms like everyone else.

“Fine.” At least the scales were cool, unfortunately I still couldn’t figure out how to blend in like a chameleon.

Actually chameleons usually change color to regulate heat and as a form of communication between their members. An octopus would be a more correct comparison when referring to color changing for use in camouflage.

“Whatever.” So since the three new people were joining, we had altered our plans from constructing the main building to creating a few of the major buildings and three new cabins.

The main problem with more people joining was always the lack of space, we never had enough beds or storage. So the plan was to make three new cabins first, then move on to a massive storage facility, a place to store the soon to be home-grown food, and the increasing amount of extra wood and lumber. The other two major buildings were a couple of bunkhouses, we still couldn’t decide if we should separate genders.

Myc figured it was pointless, it didn’t really understand being embarrassed by being naked. However, Cat was pretty sure that at least a decent amount of the new recruits would be uncomfortable with it. John didn’t really seem to care, he continued to walk around shirtless.

The three new recruits were all students at the community college, so they were all in their twenties. There was Rein Brandi, he was the oldest of the three and really tall, nearly six foot four. He said it was because he was Dutch, apparently Dutch people are tall, who knew. He was a pretty good looking guy, pretty pale, short light brown hair, and a 5 o'clock shadow. He was pretty scrawny, and had taken out his contacts to put on old thick rimmed glasses. He was going to college for a degree in engineering, and wanted to build ocean based wind turbines to help the energy crisis.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

The youngest of the other two was Scarlette Camila, she was tanned, average height, kind of cute curly blonde hair. Her grandparents were Native Hawaiian’s, but her parents moved here due to the living cost in Hawaii. So they moved here, she wanted to go into developing new reusable materials. She enjoyed the process that the native people used coconut husks for materials. She had a little button nose and was chubby but in a cute way, you know…

I understand, you know that I am perfectly fine with any of you attempting a relationship. It is natural for your species to find a mate and procreate, and if she wishes to be infected. I imagine a romantic relationship would work out very well, no lying or secrets, it is impossible to cheat. While a child would be able to grow up with a community, connected to everyone, healthy and comfortable.

“Woah, woah, woah. I think she is cute, never said anything about wanting to have kids with her.”

“You are already planning to have a child, I imagined you would wait a few more years.”

“Holy shit, John. How long have you been standing there?” John was leaning against a tree, casually twirling his ax in his hand, a small smirk adorned his usually stoic face.

“I came to help you along, this should be the last tree we need for lumber. I had thought that you were having trouble and refused to ask. Instead you are sitting here thinking of the new recruits.”

“So what? Just because you can read my mind doesn’t mean that you should.” I tried to give him a hard look, but I knew that he knew I was just bluffing. I also knew that if I tried a little harder with the mental aspect of this I could read his mind as well.

“Nothing, I just thought you would be more interested in Nikhila, she is cute, tall, athletic, similar to your first girlfriend, although Niki is a lot smarter.” He continued to twirl the ax deftly in his hand, before thrusting it into the tree that I was working on.

With a single cut, he sliced through my efforts and to the other side of the tree. It took a second before it slowly tipped and landed flat on the ground, like it was as surprised as I was that he actually cut through. I sometimes forget how much John was augmented, he was still the lab rat for Myc’s efforts. While me and Cat had some improvements, until Myc found the perfect ratio of muscle density and ligament strength we had to wait.

I closed my gaping mouth and slowly turned towards John. “Yeah, well, I don’t know. Scarlette is hot, whatever, stop judging me.”

“Whatever you say, but your actions speak louder. You think she won’t notice that you have undone all your augmentations to look more human.” John picked up the tree and threw a portion of it over his shoulder, hooking his ax back to his belt and started his walk back to camp.

Nikhila Maninder was as John described, tall although not as tall as Rein, athletic. She had short black hair, left in a shaggy mess on her head. Her parents came from India due to some religious reasons. She was crazy smart, Myc was kind of insistent on getting her to join. She was taking so many courses she couldn’t find a niche, she wanted to go into energy. Although she couldn’t choose between solar or wind, even thinking about helping create a reliable commercial grade fusion reactor. She was cute, but I don’t know, maybe because she was older or maybe it was because she kind of looked like Kayla. “Uhh, whatever.”

Picking up my cellulose ax, I proceeded to walk back to the camp. Questioning what John had said, maybe I was trying to be too human. I had broken up with Kayla because Cat told me how much I did to try to get her to like me. Taking courses I hated, listening to shitty country music, even trying to get into tennis. I tried to become something I wasn’t for her, and I didn’t want to do that again just because I thought Scarlette was cute.

Then do not do it, your individuality is what makes you unique. Even being part of a collective like this does not mean that you will lose your individuality. If Scarlette does not take interest in who you are, then you should not change yourself just to please her. We will one day encompass the world, when that time comes there will be enough people that you will be able to find your one.

“Yeah, you're right. You think she likes scales?”

Perhaps, would you like to find out?

“Sure, why not.” The luminescent scales spread across my body, flickering and glowing in the sunlight. It was kind of hypnotizing to look at, like all the colors of the rainbow were dancing across my skin. A ballet of shimmering lights that sought to tell the story of the teal fungus that would spread across the world.