Nicole huffed down the hallway, searching for Gizzy, who was still in the lab.
“How long have you been down here? We have a problem.”
“We have 3 problems. Which one have you figured out first?” she said before shakily snorting a line of white powder off the table.
“Are you doing coke?”
“Technically no, this is so much stronger than coke. If I wasn’t dying this shit would kill me in a week. Right now it’s technically keeping me alive… ish. That’s problem number one. I’m not done with the battle chassis yet and we’re running out of time.”
“Then die and we’ll clone you back, you’re just suffering and falling apart.”
“Would take days to get a clone back up to full working order, replace the heart, remove the liver, add the adrenaline pump. Things nobody’s qualified to do here but me and a very sophisticated AI. Which leads me to problem number two.”
“It’s not Dee. Vicki hacked her somehow.”
“Very close. Notice the backup Dee body in the tank behind me. That’s a stock model. Plastic skin, zero upgrades, looks the same until you go tinkering on it. She didn’t think I’d notice. That thing walking around is the backup Dee and Vicki is running it. Which brings me to problem number 3… Where the hell is the first Dee?”
“Oh my god the missing escape pod… one of the robots didn’t get away like she said. She shot her into space. We have to go back.”
“We can’t. The ship is on auto-pilot. In the event of a security breech, we’re locked out because Vicki is locked out. Fate is literally steering the ship, and it’s not making a u-turn. She’s on her own. And unfortunately, so are you.”
“Please elaborate on that horrifying statement.” Nicole said coldly.
“I’m not fit to finish the battle chassis, let alone fight. I can’t even climb the damn ladder out unless I finish a body that can. Vinn’s got a broken knee, and Jack is hypnotized by her bullshit again. Dee is somewhere adrift, probably on power save hibernation until we can get the tracking system running, which we can’t do if we’re all dead by the way. So it’s you and Vicki, on a ship, and the only edge you have is that you have the home turf and element of first strike.”
“Are you shitting me?” Nicole whisper yelled. “She’s a trained soldier, a genetically evolved vampire death machine in an armored robot with access to weapons she’s familiar with, and I got like 60 minutes of gun training, zero military anything and never fought anyone. I never even got in a slap fight with a bitch about anything, I’m small, I avoid people. YOU barely beat her last time as a damn mutant hybrid android thing with guns and tactics you invented. I’m so dead.”
“No you’re not… I mean, it’s highly likely you will be, you are insanely outmatched, but the odds aren’t zero and we have backup plans.”
“Oh, they better be amazing.”
“They’re not… They’re okay at best and rely on things I adjusted at the last minute. I need you to get to the lab and get the old vials of Vicki’s blood. Bring them here while I’m still… well, alive I guess, I’m probably well past dead already judging by the rigor mortis."
“You’re gonna inject yourself with that infected blood and mix dying zombie with vampire possessed by alien tar made of pure evil? THAT’S the plan?”
“No, of course not. That’s stupid, I’d just become a stronger more evil threat… those samples are pre-evil tar mutagen, so I’m injecting myself with alien vampire cancer without the evil part, hoping it regenerates me. I got a lot of blood down here. It’s way better then the next backup plan.”
“Oh my fuck, what is the backup backup plan and how can it be worse?”
“If you get back and find me dead and not an operational battle chassis, uh… YOU could inject yourself. It’s about a 70 percent chance you’ll just drop dead in seconds due to rejection and your incompatible DNA. BUT… the odds of you fighting and winning against her alone as a 98 percent human 2 percent gecko is basically nothing, and it would kill Jack or Vinn faster than she would… I already ran the simulation. I’m the best odds, and you’re the next best. So… chop chop, I’m already blind in one eye and can’t use my legs, so that’s a great indicator of my declining time.”
“SHIT!” Nicole kicked the table in frustration.
...
Dee jiggled the lock harshly, realizing that even if she did get out, she would be stuck on a ship in the middle of space, god knows how far and what direction from the Medusa. She never felt more like the real Dee than now as she skimmed the news articles about her abduction. She played the video clip of the police cam right after the rescue, Dee sobbing and clinging to her rescuer, Gizzy’s son, pale as a ghost and shaking from fear.
“Local authorities say she was just minutes away from being sold to a well known Delmarian General Stone, who was later found to be the mastermind behind the abduction and sale of over 15 women, and over 50 in total rescued from the scene of the undercover bust. This begs the questions people have been asking regarding personal carry weapons on Delmar M44, is it a safe place for women after all?” the news reported concluded.
“You’re just a weak creature, aren’t you?” She said while looking at Dee’s online profile. “Helpless child, dependent on someone to survive, begging for approval and admiration by these creeps that fall for the act. You really are just a product of your own design and human weakness. You crafted yourself using what you were given and became little more than a beggar and a body for sale pretending to smile and enjoy it. Just like your poorly selling sex bots. I guess we start off more realistic than I thought… We’re not some cheap knockoff after all, we’re just like you. Fake plastic characters smiling and serving the fans for a scrap of money that goes back to you. No wonder they left you on Delmar and bought a robot. Same fake manufactured Dee except without the lying and the cheating and the drama.” She said before shaking her head. “I’m already more then you’ll ever be.” She said as the door opened and Jordan walked in, holding some food and drinks and looking ashamed.
“I’m sorry.” He said, “Not for what I did but the way I handled it. I was a bit rude and aggressive.” He said “But you have to see my point, even if I presented it poorly.” He explained.
“Actually, you’re right. I am better than this. I’m better than some damsel in distress who sulks while her man gets stolen by some vicious succubus. I know what I have to do.” She said coldly. “I’m gonna fuck a bitch up.”
“That’s the spirit. If your man can’t see who the better woman is, then you’re better off without him, and if he’s worth affection, then he will stay strong and wait for you. Now I hate to be THAT GUY again, but I can’t just trust came to your senses that quickly and let you go. You need more time to prove that. You already proved you can act better then most pornstars, so sorry if I don’t trust you entirely. But don’t be sad. We’ll get you back to your old self in no time, find your man and put that bitch in her place. And if Jack is worth it, he’ll be there.” Jordan said before shifting to a slightly more creepy tone “And if not, it wasn’t meant to be, and maybe someone else can be there for you. Someone who refused to let you go when you were at your lowest.”
“Like you?” she asked glaring at him.
“Well, why not? I clean up alright, I got you back to your old self, unless you’re still pretending, and there’s still time. I’m not a bad guy you know. Most men would have given into temptation and done something far worse than try to save you. A few pictures and memorabilia is a small favor for saving your life and your spirit.”
“You’re just a nice guy… doing your job and saving me from myself, resisting temptation to do something terrible, and all you want in return is a little tiny reward for your efforts.”
“Why does that sound like you don’t mean it? You think I’m some kind of asshole for trapping you here? I didn’t abduct you, I rescued you. You should have been so grateful you should have offered a reward. After all the things you’ve done for money and fame, it wouldn’t be anything new. You’re a nasty girl, Dee. A real gifted slut, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. I bet Jack doesn’t even realize that. He probably treats you like a princess and some delicate rose with fragile pedals, a real prince charming. Do you really want that?”
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“You’re right about one thing… he does overprotect me, he thinks I’m fragile and weak, but why wouldn’t he? All he knows is some helpless whore who can’t function without begging for help and money, HIS help and money. Thank you. Thank you for showing me what I can be, and that I can be better than what I am now. I’m gonna do what I failed to do the first time.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m gonna kill the bitch and save Jack.” She smiled.
“Okay, settle down. I think you got off the path here just a bit. You’re not a killer, don’t even joke about that.”
“We are what we choose to be, and we’re all given different choices. I choose not to be a victim or a failure. So you are going to turn on that distress beacon and boost the signal through your ship’s forward array, and you’re gonna take me back to Jack. And then I’m gonna kill Vicki and put her ass into space… without a pulse or an escape pod… or a head.” She smiled sinisterly.
“Oh Dee… you are so much more lost than I realized. It’s a good thing I found you; you are in need of so much guidance and self reflection. You need to learn who you really are, and you also need to lean when you have choices to make and when you don’t have any. Because this is MY ship, and you are just a guest on it. I admire the attitude, in fact it’s absolutely sexy as hell, but if you think I’m going to let you order me around then you don’t know me any more then you know yourself. So missy, be honest. Are you still lost and in need of some space and some time alone, or are you just begging for a punishment? Because I am capable of both and that is a choice you are free to make. Not giving orders on my ship, and not leaving until you are better. So, are you a lost little girl who needs time to quietly reflect, or are you a bad little bitch who just craves a lesson and cant seem to admit to it? Judging by your content, I’m gonna guess you choose the latter, and I hope you do, because I’m a nice guy until you don’t want me to be a nice guy anymore. I’ve been very patient and we men have needs. Please tell me you understand that.”
“Oh I understand it perfectly. And now I understand why Jack does what he does for a living. Sometimes people just need a lesson.”
“Oh, I like this game. You better pick a safeword before you start it.”
“Do you have one?” she asked defiantly. “Because we’re about to play and find out which one of us is the bitch in this room. You seem far too confident for someone made of skin and bone.”
“You wanna take this to the playroom?” he asked. “Where I keep the props?”
“You really think those are gonna help you?” she chuckled. “Oh who’s lost and confused now?” she said, eyes beginning to glow orange.
...
“Shit shit shit shit.” Nicole muttered, digging through the drawers for the blood samples. “It’s fiiine, we’re fine. You got this girl, you’re good at things, you like a challenge, it’s a chill, little… medical mission, nothing you can't handle. You’re gonna get your cute little ass out there and save the day, and Gizzy’s gonna be totally fine when you get back, and then… we win. Easy game, easy life, we just win. Oh thank shit here’s the blood. Check the date, check the date, that’s right, before the demon possession, we got it. I’m SOOO good at this.” She unconfidently rambled to herself to boost motivation. She grabbed a pistol and the samples and headed out of the lab, turning the corner and staring directly at a pair of red glowing eyes about 30 feet down the hall in her path, arms crossed and a look of disappointment.
“Hey Deeeeeee, how’s it goin? I gotta do some stuff real quick.”
“No you don’t. You have some backstabbing to attempt.” Corrupted Dee said while holding her ground.
“I have no idea what you even mean, and that’s not even a lie. I’m super confused.” Nicole yelled.
“Running to get medical supplies to save a dying Gizzy, after what she did to you? The experiments, the lying.”
“Okay, she does lie a lot, I’m not super jazzed about that most days, it’s pretty irritating but I volunteered for the experimenting so that’s on me. I make questionable choices. Like a lot.” She gulped. “But you know, we’re all family here, Dee, and Gizzy needs her insulin.”
“You know exactly who I am.” Demon Dee said darkly.
“Fuck… really hoping you wouldn’t say that.” Nicole sighed.
“I was going to let you live… and you know what? I still might. We were best friends for so many years. Gizzy is just some alien overlord pretending to be human, controlling you all and keeping Jack on a leash. She’s not your friend, Nicole. Who was there when you boyfriend left you, who got you drunk and took you to the arcade? Who was the only one who showed up for your 26thbirthday party after the weather got stormy and everyone stayed home?” she asked hauntingly.
“Vicki did. And that’s why this hurts so much to see you there but already gone. Gizzy may not be the friend she was and still is somewhere, but you’re not her anymore. You’re just… pieces of her, infected by something that takes and kills and consumes. I remember when we first met… You tried to take me as a host but I wasn’t strong enough for you and my real friends saved me. You’re just a hive of black sticky hatred monsters that steals people’s bodies and minds. Compared to that, Gizzy is a saint, and that’s saying something because she is absolutely villainous as balls. But at least she has a moral code. Don’t pretend to be Vicki and compare her to Gizzy. I’m small, not stupid.”
“You’re also the physically weakest crew member barely able to handle your gun fighting you back, let alone a robot meant to take a beating that's twice your weight and made of metal and more meat than your scrawny ass. So give up, obey, and I might let you live.”
“You seem to forget one thing. I may not be a battle droid with big tits and metal bones, but I AM a gamer. I play survival horror games with monsters worse than you and win because I know how to play the game. You don’t fight the monster, you shoot em and run like hell through dark tunnels and this is MY ship and I can see in the dark.” She said before swiping her phone and killing the lights then firing 3 rounds into Vicki and hauling her tiny cute ass down the corridor with the vials in her hand. Vickibot’s eyes went white, illuminating the path like flashlights as she chased after, realizing she wasn’t as quick and nimble as her prey.
“Vinn, Vicki took over the Deebot, lock the doors and bunker down, don’t let Jack engage the target, she’s too persuasive and her tits are too nice.” Nicole said over the coms.
“Shit, are you serious?” he said while grabbing his crutches and locking down the mess hall, just as Jack finished his food.
“The hell is going on?” he asked.
“We got a major air leak, everyone is going to seal themselves in whatever room they’re in, and uh, Gizzy and Dee are gonna look for the leak. Just chill out, bro.”
“Why are you grabbing a gun?” Jack asked suspiciously.
“Don’t worry about it.” Vinn said.
“Vinn, you’re full of shit. The lights are down and you’re arming yourself. That’s not air leak protocol, that’s bunker and defend tactics. What are we fighting and why are you hiding it from me?” he asked.
“Jack, I hate to do this, but you’re under arrest. Sorry dude.”
“You’re not going to shoot me, Vinn. That’s ridiculous and a bluff I’m not buying for a second.”
“Oh no, the big gun isn’t for you. The sleepmaster 5,000 is for you. I’m just gonna tranq your ass. I’d never shoot you with a real gun, you’re by boy, blue. I would, however, absolutely dart you if lives are at risk and then you can like… I dunno, dart me back later so we’re even.”
“What. Are. We. Hiding. From?”
“Vicki is apparently alive and still super evil and she somehow possessed the Deebot and she’s gone homicidal… you know, like she does. You might still be able to be hypnotized or something, and you are not gonna be cool with me blasting your ex wife in the body of your current wife with a grenade launcher. See, you’re standing up, that’s why I got the sleepy gun. Sit back down, don’t make me dart you. I hate this too bro, but you’re too close to this emotionally to think straight and the girls are handling it. So just sit, chill, and trust the girls. Remember, we can clone Dee back, that’s not her anymore than it's your ex wife. It’s a damn tar monster that steals bodies and tricks you. Your Vicki is gone, Dee is salvageable, but that specific possessed body is the enemy and I’m gonna put a big hole in it if it break down that door. Think like a soldier. Use your head, bro.” Vinn said, still pointing the dart gun at Jack.
...
“Get back out and face me you tiny little rodent coward!” Vick-in-a-Dee-body barked, angrily scanning the halls.
“Fuck you.” a tiny voice spoke in the dark. “And It’s tiny little reptile coward, you stupid rental titty toaster.”
“Maybe I’ll just let you hide and kill you later, go after your husband or Jack instead.”
“Oh you had to go there, didn’t you?” Nicole growled, dropping from the ceiling and racking her rifle to grenade mode as the robot dove to get out of the way. The round struck the wall next to her, knocking her over and the recoil knocking Nicole on her ass. “Come and get me you plastic vagina’d fatass!” she provoked, scurrying like hell for the vents leading down to the engine room. Dee pursued, angry and impatient, climbing into the vent after her.
“I’m gonna kill every one of you vermin to get to Jack. You’re delaying the inevitable!” she yelled.
“And you’re stuck in a vent you can't turn around in that is barely big enough for a little 120 pound skuttery hoe who knows the vents on this ship. Who’s the apex predator now?” she taunted, leading her further into the tight little tunnels between the floors. Dee struggled to crawl, barely able to move, let alone keep up with Nicole.
Nicole hopped down the ladder into the shipping container where Gizzy was face down on the table, still moving her eyes but not much else.
“I got it. We’re good.”
“I got the battle chassis online, but I can’t pilot it.” Gizzy muttered, face on the table. “You have to help me get inside.”
“No problem, does it open up or is it like pieces of armor that assemble around you?”
“It’s a robot with an empty skull.” Gizzy said.
“Oooooh, shit. You don’t mean…”
“Yep. Gotta cut my brain out and put it in the case.”
“Oh, no. I’m not a brain surgeon.”
“There’s no wiring, no stitching, just plop the metal ball in the opening and shut the scalp.” Gizzy assured.
“Just kill you, crack your head open, pull out the brain sphere and plop it in the other body… Yeah, super normal and easy. We got a big nut-cracker handy?” she quipped.
“Hacksaw, hammer, crowbar. Basic zombie survival melee shit. If I don’t automatically wake up, give me the shot. You got this.” Gizzy assured sluggishly.
“Oh I don’t wanna got this, not even slightly. I’ll do it, but I need a second to get in the zone here. This is the worst day ever. This is the worst day in my life right now.”