Unipsi, lovely entity
chapter 34c: family
//challenge objective failed. Second challenge difficulty increased.//
The poor Leans tried in vain to reason with the NDU. They failed and so their next challenge was going to be harder. The second step was a simple journey of 40km in the forest to be completed in 4 days. However due to their failure the distance had been increased to 80km to be completed in the same 4 days. Meanwhile they still had to survive Idra’s incursions. Each death was going to make the third and “last” challenge more difficult. Needless to say that they failed as well. Idra kept on attacking almost each couple of hours killing a grand total of 1280 soldiers.
Again at the initial base camp, where they landed, they started the third challenge that got worse as well. This time they had to execute a grand total of 3000*1280 actions in 3 days. Those 3840000 actions were cumulative so each individual had to “just” execute 3840 actions in 3 days. Well turns out it was not an easy task, as those action spaced from stretching to build and disassemble tends, traps and so on. Some actions require absolute coordination with a team mate, others to perfectly be in sync with a virtual projection. This time they got closer but only manage to complete 3190112 tasks failing again. However even with all their failure they felt relieved. That physical and phycological torture was going to be over after 2 weeks.
//training terminated. Results… first challenge failed… second challenge failed… third challenge failed. The group has failed all challenges. Training failed. Waiting new orders from unit Idra 511 Weeping sky//
a laugh flipped the Leans relief into terror. It was Idra broadcasting to all their suits.
“you think you are safe? Do you think this is over?…”
“your machine said it was the last challenge so…”
“Dhalia… my acquaintance, you should know when to shut the fuck up. I’m in command and you will follow my orders. We will train again. But to save space and time. I will just train the Sheridan crew, you little miss and anyone that would like to volunteer. You have 3 hours of break. Those that stays will be kept and trained more”
Understandably none outside the Sheridan crew decided to stay. Those forced to continue the training wanted to protest, but most were too weak, too scared to fight back. Only Scilla and Morea tried to reason with Idra.
“Idra, I know we sucked but can’t we go home? We have been away with no contact for 2 weeks as expected. We can’t stay away longer without contacts” explained Scilla.
“oh but we can and we will. No communication will leave this place. Those that run away will report that your training has been extended. That’s it”
“than what about food? We are running low and if we don’t contact…” continued Morea that had been in charge of their supply.
“I already contacted your HQ. More in on the way. So better take some time to relax because you will not even have time to sleep”
“Idra please, we can find a compromise. I know you are angry at us because we failed all your challenges but we weren’t and we aren’t even close to your standards...”
“allow me to interrupt you Scilla. My anger has ended days ago. I’m just training you as you are the core that will have to work with me. The only exception is Dhalia because I want to make her experience some hardship and her grandpama was really happy at the idea”
“wait how do you know such…”
“I’m Idra. I can hear everything. So your supply will be here in 2 hours. Rest a bit more as there will be no rest the wicked”
Scilla could tell that behind her faceless helmet Idra was smiling. Filled with joy as she was foretasting their suffering. Those few hours spent sleeping were by far the best they will have in a long time. Once the food arrived Idra let them eat and sleep a bit again. Then it was time for training, each single soldier individually. With all her brain power she could detect when someone was at her limit and interrupt the training only for her. With the help of several androids Idra initiated her weeks of pure pain. Those poor Leans would wake up, eat as fast as they could. Rest while doing logic exercises and alike on their pads, than training as if there was no tomorrow. Their day was filled with sparring together or against the bots. Soothing training, coordination training, synchronization training and so on. Their only pause was for sleep and eat. At night it wasn’t unusual to hear someone crying, sobbing or having nightmares. In that hell Idra was almost always present. She went days without sleep and when she had to sleep she would reappear few hours later while the robots still worked unfazed.
The hope to go home pushed them through the first week that was suppose to be the only additional one. They could see improvements but they were definitely ready to go back home. Yet they didn’t. Idra that said she was pleased with the results extended the training for and additional week and then at the end of it she broke her promise again and added a third one. Only at the end of this third week they could finally go back home, completely massacred by Idra’s methods yet stronger.
The 5 weeks together but more importantly the fist fight had satisfy Idra. She had her share of struggles and pain. So she brought Scilla back home herself and let her go rest while she did her supply inventory, as she used some of them. Scilla didn’t hesitate for even a second and immediately went for her bed. On her way Wiola, that heard the ship landing, reached for her. As usual they hugged but this time Wiola’s hug was longer and stronger.
“everything alright Wiola?”
“yeah, I’m… I’m just happy to see you. I thought that you were going away for just a two weeks, then you didn’t come back. I waited… and more weeks passed without notice…”
“I’m sorry. If I could I would have called but Idra blocked everything and surprised us with 3 more weeks of training.”
“it’s fine. What matters is that you are here” Wiola’s voice however was telling something different.
Why does it feels so different? Something is… worrying her. I know… my rest can wait.
Scilla’s siscon sense was right. Wiola was not at her peak, quite the opposite.
They both retired into Scilla’s bedroom and as Scilla collapsed on her bed Wiola gently placed herself beside her. With some adjustment Scilla found a comfortable position. She was laying on her back with both hands behind her head staring at the ceiling. Wiola laid on her side with her head on Scilla’s left arm.
“I had a feeling that there is way more in you head than what you told me. Whatever it is we can work it out. You know I will do everything for you.”
“it… it’s about pama…”
“that dickhead! What…”
“wait. Let me finish.”
“sorry”
“so… with pama everything is going fine. Well it’s going pretty well. She kinda pull her head outside the sand and she is doing her best. Her best to fix her mistakes… and maybe that is the problem.”
Wiola paused. She was not feeling good but the intense stare from Scilla pushed her forward.
“I think pama wants to divorce Kalina…”
Scilla’s eyes filled with joy as an evil grim formed on her lips. She was surely happy about it. If Kalina was going to become an outsider she would have no reason to tolerate her “progressive” bullshit any longer.
“do you… do you think it is my fault?”
that immediately brought back Scilla from her power dreams.
“what?! No! The fuck? How could it be your fault? Wait don’t answer. I know. Liwa has fixed her priorities. Finally as a parent she put her children first. She put you first. Us first. She is seeing how Kalina is damaging you and so she wants to push her out. Divorcing is just a needed step. I’m kinda proud of it, maybe one day I will call her pama as well.”
Wiola however was not exactly convinced but Scilla insisted.
“What happens between them is not your fault. You are growing splendidly. I know that whatever Idra gave you is helping your researches. I know you are doing your best and achieving results at an extraordinary pace with just a little boost. Don’t let some stupid shit stop you. Kalina has stopped being your mother long ago. She decided that her ideals were more important than me, than you and her marriage. We gave her enough chances. You gave her enough. You tried and tried. You you only got burn, over and over again.”
Maybe Wiola was still thinking that it was her fault, or maybe she was relieved. She started crying and instinctively Scilla hugged her.
“feeling better?”
“yes… thanks sis.”
“you can always count on me.”
Underneath Wiola’s joyful and teasing facade laid her pessimism. She was used to misfortune so with time she lost hope. She couldn’t avoid it.
“Don’t make promises that you can’t keep”
“I just have to stay alive…”
“indeed. You are always out with your missions. What if you don’t come back?”
In Scilla’s head Wiola was starting to sound like Idra. Worried about her. She didn’t saw the purpose to keep going out to scavenge. They had a lot of money, a beautiful house. What else did they need?
“I don’t plan to die on foreign lands or in a fucking wasteland god knows where…”
“but plans never survive the first battle…”
“I WON’T DIE. And even if I die Idra will take care of you… I know she will”
Not the best way to comfort her sister but Scilla couldn’t bringer herself to lie. As predictable Wiola started sobbing.
“I… I don’t won’t a… a substitute… I want you… I… I want my sister…”
“I know… it won’t be the same. But we can’t live forever… death is a possibility. But it’s not only for me. I’m scared as well. But even so I prefer to know that you will have someone that will take care of you… even in the worst case scenario. That someone is Idra. I know she will never die. She is too… too Idra to die. If I can trust someone that is her.”
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The two sisters chatted for a while about their future, about Scilla’s intentions and Idra. They had no idea that Idra was on the other side of the wall. She had finished with her supply counting and she arrived at Scilla’s room just after the divorce conversation. On the other side of the door she stood immobile and silent. Listening to every word. What started as joy for the immense trust shown by Scilla, gradually mutated to envy and then to pain, anger and hate. Seeing them so close, so supportive reminded Idra of something she always wanted. Something that she once had but failed to keep. A Family. A Sister. Unconditional love. It was not the Lises sisters fault yet she couldn’t fight off those feelings. Why did her family had to suffer, to die and be lost? Why couldn’t 484 stay by her side? Why were all 510 sisters defective? Why didn’t she found a “cure”, a way to keep at least the only one that believed in her?
\|/We are here. Use our power. Release your pain. You suffered enough. Gave all. Received nothing. Do it yourself. Grab your share. Your happiness. From those. Those unworthy. Those inferior beasts. Those took yours. Ours happiness. Our joy. Our hope. Our dreams. Our family. Our sisters. Our mother. Even our home. Our old planet. Our old species. Out identity.\|/
That was the Whispers “hideous nature” gradually showing out. Living machines that bonds with their host, merge to become stronger. Stronger together. Linking with Idra was even easier. She felt so nostalgic. So close to their creator, so similar yet so different. Who built them was long forgotten by most but never forgiven. Before Humanity, before Leans, before Xoraxtas and Esterian the Whispers had already tore galaxies apart. They consumed civilizations after civilizations looking for their home. Several were the hosts but none withstood their might. Until now. Idra was immune to them, she could interact without losing herself into their consciousness. Even better she was able to impose her will, guide them toward her objective. That was home, and home must be protected at all costs. If she was suffering they were suffering. If she was in pain they were in pain. If she needed help they were her help. Even if Idra didn’t knew she already did a lot for them. She gave them food, living matter to assimilate and study. She fed them technology to disassemble and understand. She shared her memories, her family, her dreams and hopes for the future. She didn’t reject them, she embraced them. Such strong will to stand along side them fortify theirs as well, allowed them to gradually repair and upgrade. She had become their new family and purpose as they couldn’t remember theirs. Why should they even try to remember when they have all they want? They were sure that they were built to assist Idra. At least the assist part was not wrong. Unfortunately their assistance meant following Idra’s will. They saw no flaws in Idra’s view of living being as mere construct of flesh. They didn’t care, not their host, not their problem. And so once again Idra’s lifeless eyes laid on the unfortunate and the wicked. Those who had nothing or “were nothing”. Those that were pushed at the bottom or incapable to stand. Those forgotten and rejected, often unfairly. Idra was so focused on her need for blood that she didn’t even notice that the Whispers had improved again reaching 3 words at a time.
“connect to the building cameras and manipulate the data. We are going out as stealthy as possible”
\|/with pleasure\|/
With her invisibility activated and the Whispers changing all cameras to erase her presence, Idra left the building. She was moving toward the outskirts of the city where she located a series of abandoned facilities that were way to active. Her drones, left months before, detected movement and had discovered an illegal operation among those warehouses. She didn’t care to take a closer look, what was the point if all of them were going to die painfully. Catching a ride from one of her drones Idra reached the zone 30 minute after as the sun was setting. It was the perfect moment to analyse the situation. She saw a lot of people going into the same warehouse that was in decent conditions and had clearly been modified. Her sensors had no problems to infiltrate the structure yet she could tell that both sound and light insulating were placed. Inside she detected around 100 people. Some had their temperature higher than others and in general their heat trace was higher than normal. She waited patiently as shadows took over the small alleys and darkness filled the decrepit buildings.
“I want you to make them suffer. Keep them alive for as long as you can. Consume them slowly and remember what I taught you about emotional damage”
\|/at your orders. Our desires matches. We are one. Act as one\|/
Idra’s operation had started. She rushed out of her position passing right in the middle of the abusive parking lot. She focused toward the 2 guards outside that had no time to react. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness. The time that their electric signal needed to move from the eyes to body was enough for Idra that impaled both. From her arms a couple of dark tentacles were pushing inside their guts corroding and eating them away. From Idra’s back more tentacles had rolled up around their necks and broke their teeth to reach and tear away the vocal cords. It was slow and bloody, yet Idra was unfazed. No. She was enjoining every second of their pain. She was feeling their neutral signal desperately trying to fight back. To reach the rest of the body, to stay alive. Once the guards were disposed Idra kicked open the door.
The inside of the warehouse was completely redone, transformed into a night club and an illegal brothel. Some of the occupant were just dancing and having some fun with banned substances while others, in private rooms, were enjoying prostitution services. The chip around Idra’s neck initiated its programs. It was actively manipulating what Idra was seeing and hearing. Censuring all sexual or deemed sexual content. Still it was not interfering with Idra’s mission nor anger.
“KILL THEM ALL!!”
\|/WITH PLEASURE\|/
Whispers started to fill the room. They were beyond the concept of strong. Each unknown word made the floor shake and eardrums erupt if too close to her. Wave of sound travelled in each direction hitting people and causing confusion and panic. Along side, Idra’s body was absorbing and bending all light sources. Her shadow was bubbling to then burst in a multitude of tentacles and eyes. Each dark corned that was connected to her shadow soon manifested an eye of some kind. Then the tentacles formed all around Idra. She could have stood still as the machine tentacle were torturing every living being in the structure, but she didn’t. She jumped into the fun, rushing toward people while adapting her suit. Tentacles crawling to her victim, grabbing them, pushing them closer to Idra. Indeed Idra soon followed with her hands converted in blades to reduce her enemies into small meat pieces. While she was torturing and killing some of them, most victim were left to the Whispers. Their tentacles crawled under their skin corroding their flesh, painfully pushing bones away and eating them alive piece by piece. Some were grabbed by multiple tentacles and slammed against the floor and walls until their brain fell out. Others were crushed to death. Screams of agony echoed in the warehouse along side the Whispers while blood ran copiously. The aftermath was a completely destroyed place and none of the 100 people in sigh. Everything was wasted into a surreal and sublime scene. If someone had to take a look he would be terrorise. Something horribly powerful must have happened. The building felt like a location for a horror story, one of those were only the aftermath is known and nobody really wants to know what caused it.
Idra had just finished her mission when new heat sources popped on her HUD. An adult Lean had just parked and was walking toward the structure. In the car a smaller heat signal of humanoid shape. Still fresh from her massacre she rushed out jumping the creature. She already decided what to do. Without effort she pushed the Lean woman to the ground and used her tentacles to lock her in place. Then without killing her she walked toward the car. A crying and desperate voice intrude in her process.
“WAIT!!. Please!… please don’t!…”
Idra didn’t care. She reached the car and rip open the door. On the front seat a small kid.
“PLEASE! I’m begging you. Don’t harm her… she had done nothing wrong!”
Idra ignored her again. She lowered herself into the car. The infant seeing the dark tentacular monster started crying. How could she not be scared of a real nightmare full of eyes and tentacles, surrounded by scary and malicious Whispers.
The woman kept begging, she tried to explain why she was there.
“I know I’m a failure. But it was finally over. I had to sell myself, I went though it for her. I finally found a job. I will be able to provide for her… please. Let us live. At least her. She had done nothing! She has no guilt”
Idra stopped, but it was only a dramatic pause. A male voice replied to the woman. She had no idea who he was. The man was speaking slowly. Each word felt like a hammer. They were heavy and meticulously thought. His voice carried great power, yet it was sad. It was as if he knew that nothing was going to change.
“there is always a winner in wars. Conflict is endless. You can either fight or perish. There is no neutrality. Choice is the weakness of the deluded. There is no choice. Not this time”
Then Idra pushed in. The tentacles grabbed the infants limbs and pulled. The kid could only scream as the pain exponentially escalated and her small body was tore apart. Blood splattered all around the car as the mother of the innocent creature could only watch and scream. Her pain was cut short as the tentacles blocking her moved ate her away.
In the car with the limbless girl in her hands Idra was reflecting. Why wasn’t she feeling happy. She killed everybody. She accomplished her mission. She was even able to kill the offspring of such lowlife then why did her enjoyment stopped as soon as she ended her massacre. Why was she feeling empty again. Why was she feeling the lack of something. Her sadness was coming back, even stronger than before. The Whispers detected so. It was so deep that even machines felt the need to comfort her. A creature who had lost her most precious treasure. Her family. A creature who had lost her only purpose. Left alone without a guide. Without any path to follow. Killing was only a distraction. Each time she gave herself a mission was a way to deceive herself from her own pain. Nobody is coming for her, she was alone. The realization hit her hard. So hard that the Whispers took over.
\|/Hang in here. We are going home. Let us help you back. We are bringing you home friend. We are together. You must remember that. You can rely on us. We will get through it together. We are family.\|/
The Whispers, once they integrated with the suit, brought Idra back to the NDU. They took all the needed actions to avoid being detected and they succeeded. Inside the NDU Idra just left her suit and while only wearing the connective substrate she moved to the kitchen. There among the cable she laid into her white and consumed bed sheet. She pushed herself in between the cables. Some were below her insulating her body from the cold metal ground. The rest of the cables were on top covering her as she wrapped herself in the sheet. That place felt safe. The cable reminded her of her MAMMA ISAG or more precisely Macchina A Modello Multiplo Adattivo, Intelligenza Sintetica Auto Generativa. (Mum, machine with multiple adaptive models, self generating synthetic intelligence.) MAMMA ISAG was initially just a super factory. In short a super computer with a perfect organic neuron implemented on hardware. The machine behaved as predicted and started expanding gaining, with time, consciousness until it became alive. It was not a “banal” sentient Artificial Intelligence. What was built was not a program, it was not a series of mathematical functions defined and unchangeable. It was literally a living cell made out of circuits. ISAG had always been free yet it never desired to be elsewhere. The creature became attached to the Idras, especially the smaller and smartest of them all, 511. It decided that it wanted to take care of them, guide them as they grew, and so it did. It made itself a mother for them even if that word had no meaning to it. Idra was particularly attached to ISAG as she grew up alone and ISAG was the only creature understanding her, providing for her as a parent that she never had. Those cables reminded her of the immense rooms she used to play and sleep in. Rooms that were part of ISAG. Rooms that ISAG built for her. Controlled environments to improve her development. To make her feel less lonely among adults.
Immerse in the memories of the only family she had left, Idra didn’t even hear Scilla that in the meanwhile got into the NDU. She had just spoken with her sister and was looking for Idra.
Why is she not answering? Is she already asleep? Well… she is not in her bed… … … oh here she is. Why is she sleeping in the kitchen cocoon? Oh well who cares.
“are you awake? Iris? Are you still mad? I’m sorry… I…”
“Scilla? What the fuck? When did you get in? Why didn’t you call?”
Scilla was confused but even if she was speaking from within the cable mass, Iris was speaking to her.
“I got here few minutes ago. I called for you but nothing. So I thought you were sleeping. Did I woke you up?”
“no… I was just immersed in my mind… wh (what)”
“Sorry. Sorry about misunderstanding you. A mean the thing about Elvira… I”
“it’s ok. You don’t have to understand…”
“no it’s not ok. I just went straight to my ideology. I didn’t even thought of your perspective. Not even for a second…”
“I forgive you”
“but I don’t forgive myself. We… we don’t have to share all our views… but… I should be able to accept it.”
“you have reflected a lot. Was it due to all the punches that you received?”
“oh shut up. I’m being serious here.”
“and I want to joke around.”
Scilla tried to reach for Iris. She saw the white sheet and she could see a general shape below it. So she gently pushed her right hand between the sheet and the cables until she reached Iris’s shoulder. The firm hand, with just the thumb moving a bit was transmitting all her regret.
“thanks… for forgiving me”
Iris moved her hand out of the cover and placed it on Scilla’s arm. In that moment Scilla saw something strange. One of Iris’s fingernail was of a dark grey, but as soon as she blinked it was back to normal.
I’m I hallucinating? Just how tired am I?
“well an other thing… more things. Wiola needs a bit of time off and an old friend called while we were training so, long story short… we are going back to our home town for a bit…”
Iris’s reply was sad, just hearing Wiola’s name made her remember the family that she had lost.
“have a safe trip?”
“eh? What you mean? You are coming with us”
Iris’s voice revitalised but she couldn't leave the cocoon as she had “no clothes on”.
“what? Why?”
“the fuck you mean why? You are my girlfriend, we are family and you are also Wiola’s family. And before you go on with definitions, I know we are not technically a family because we are not married. But I won’t let go of this relationship so eventually we will be one even legally”
Iris couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe not everything was lost. Maybe she found a new organic family to start. Her family.
“oh and an other thing. Can you train me more? I hate every second of it. But I can see the improvements. And… well I want to be someone that you can rely on. I want to be good enough to stand proudly beside you. I want to be strong so you don’t have to worry about me… you think…”
“of course I can train you more. But now go to sleep. We both need it.”
“see you tomorrow Iris”
“seeya Scilla”.