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Spectre: Shades of Grey
Chapter 7 A Comics Retcon Story |
Charlie Hotchkiss was, literally, escorted to his boss' office by a pair of security guards who were each big and burly enough to give an NFL linebacker pause when they were in all out attack mode.
“Ahh, Charlie.” Clarke greeted him without looking up from the computer screen he was reading, or watching something on. “Good of you to come so quickly.”
“I — I was brought, and you know it.” Helena's one time husband shot back.
“Well, yes.” Clarke nodded then turned the monitor he was looking at so Charlie could see what he was watching. “Was that an accident?
Charlie winced as he watched the vid. A syringe of the genetic mutagen they used on their victims fell off a tray and the uncovered needle stabbed into his arm and his struggles to get it out caused the plunger to depress and force all the fluid into his blood stream. “Yes.”
“Clumsy.” Clarke shook his head. “And careless of you.”
“It hasn't been activated yet.” Charlie countered weakly. “I'm still me.”
“No, Charlie, you aren't.” Clarke sighed. “Now, genetically, you're someone else entirely even if you haven't had the nano infusions that would trigger the changes physically. As you are, you're a liability to us, you know that don't you? Onc genetic test and everything we're doing here would be exposed.”
“Why would anyone make me do something like that?”
“Hmm, Arabic and African mix, very nice.” Clarke ignored the man's last question. “The results should turn out to be not only very lovely, but also very profitable. And Charlie, your performance has been slipping since this happened. A lot of the decisions you've made since Helena died haven't been good ones.”
“I'll get over it.” Charlie argued, I'll get back on track.”
“Yes, you will.” Clarke nodded. “Only that track won't be what we, or you, had originally planned.”
“You, you can't do this to me.”
“Yes I can, Charlie.” Clarke countered. “In fact, given what you've had done already, I can and will do whatever I please with and to you.
“Take him to the clinic.” He ordered the guards. “So he can be chipped and given the nano treatments.”
Charlie could only scream, fight as well as he could — which was pathetically ineffective given his escort, and was taken away to start his new life.
I had been watching, and shoved something into Clarke's mind, unobtrusively, but I did it.
He gave the screen, and the door of his office a thoughtful look, then made a note to name the new girl Samira.
Charlie regained consciousness strapped to a bed in a room that he'd probably overseen the same type of procedure in numerous times.
The base of his skull, just above where it joined his neck ached and burned.
It felt like fire ants were gleefully running through his veins and nerves, so he knew the nanite treatments had already been given.
All he could do at that point was wish they hadn't beaten the toxicity of the original bio-chips. He knew that he would live a long, and outwardly happy life. Though it wasn't one he, or anyone he had known, would have chosen.
As the despair overwhelmed him, he did manage to curse the authoress of his current problems. “Damn you Spectre, God Damn you to Hell!”
I heard that curse and found myself smiling as I did.
“Oh, Samira, like I told you, I'm there already. You've just gone through the gates. Talk to me again once you've been there for awhile.”
He heard that, and my cruel laugh once I'd finished answering him.
Like I've said before. There really are times I don't like myself all that much.
Mitsuko had suffered since the ghost girl had visited her. But that was nothing new. The new thing, the really wonderful thing in her life, was the astonishing idea that her suffering was a lot less of a burden.
Granted, the child growing in her belly was another reason for that. Never in her wildest dreams had the person Mitsuko had once been did that person, that lost man, consider the possibility of being a mother.
That she thought, at least, wasn't a bad thing at all. Being a mother.
Oddly enough, the thing that was supposed to break her completely, finish without a doubt the transformation that had been forced on her, being pregnant, was only making her stronger.
“Men not understand how it is.” She whispered while stroking her belly. “Baby makes a woman a tiger. One not to provoke. For that I thank you and will always love you even without that. I never fight before. Now I have reason other than me. Bad men all pay for what they do. I be there to watch. All of it.”
“Talking to the baby again, dear?” Her husband asked indulgently as he entered the room.
“Yes, my husband.” Mitsuko smiled and this time the smile was real. “I talk to baby.”
Dammit, how many times can a person be humbled in a week?
Mitsuko had shown me a quiet, determined courage that I wasn't prepared for. My experience with people, even in my former life, just hadn't shown me that aspect of humanity.
Kyle, the comic writer, had shown me love that was not at all judgmental.
Kyle the Green Lantern had shown me that no matter what the outside was, everyone had a sense of fun and could enjoy it if they would only let it go.
Phoenix had shown me that no matter how powerful someone was, they could still be vulnerable.
Jade had let me know that people can change, and adapt to those changes even if they weren't all that pleased with how it happened.
Megan had given me a glimpse of pure determination, that refused to be stopped by mere physical obstacles.
Damn you, Tisiphone. Why did you have make me so perceptive?
Probably to remind me that I had been human and that part of me still was.
Humanity has always puzzled the gods, whatever gods were around.
And managed to impress them, too, I might add.
I was floating above the arch, the place everyone in the world seemed to know was the place to look for me, by the way, when a green streak approached.
“Hi Kyle.” I greeting the person who had arrived and gave him a kiss and hug.
“Hey, lady.” He responded without any of his usual innuendos,though he had responded to the kiss and returned the hug.” I've found some things you can use.”
“Great.” I answered but was still hanging there with my arm around his waist and kind of enjoying his around my shoulders. It was, predictably green, but it was a thumb drive.
“Been tracing things and at least found where, and to who, they sold their victims.” He quietly told me.
“That will be a big help, Kyle.” I smiled and found the unsettling fact that I actually liked a man besides my gentle Kyle, to be not that bad at all.
“Good.” He grinned, then added with a gleeful expression on his face. “Caught you!”
“You cheated.” I told him then laughed. “But, yeah, you caught me. Woo the girl with things she wants, it always works if the guy is at all worth it, you know.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Oh, yeah.” I answered softly as I took his hand. “Come with me.”
And no. I will not satisfy your prurient curiosity here. Use your imagination.
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Comments
I have a good imagination
*snigger*
There is no doubt some very impressive members of humanity. Too bad we can't find a way to create more of those on a regular basis. That said, I am really glad Mitsuko is finding some sliver in solace in being able to have a child, something not possible as a man.
So ol' Charlie has been chipped and is on his way. Charlie will not be given any reprieve until he truly repents deep down, unconditionally, instead of merely resentful of being caught and punished. Frankly Charlie is lucky he is given relatively tame, an eye for an eye instead of say three fold returns. Karmic balance is such a fickle thing.
Glad he was not made into beautiful Chinese girl; too good for the likes of him ;)
Kim
Worse?
Well... Imho this is about the worst thing you can do to a fellow human. I mean, how do you want to pull of the three fold law on that crime? There is some reason eye for an eye and three fold law are not ground for real law. They are way to harsh.
Maggie, thank you for this awesome chapter.
Three fold law.
Diana is operating from some really old, really, really old guidelines, after all. But even with that, the threefold law is often much more than is needed. Eye for an eye? Closer to what she seems to be doing just now, yes.
Justice served cold
Of course justice back in ancient times was pretty bitter too... like having your hands chopped off because you were starving to death and *had* to steal a bit of bread.
or beheaded for cheating on your husband (who was notified at the local whorehouse of your transgressions--and hasn't so much as seen your face since you got preggo 2 years ago)
lol, annnyway... Loving this story, even if i can't really keep up with all the "history"
people keep popping into the story that i have no idea who they are or what their history with the character is, makes it a bit hard to follow. But it's a good story non-the-less
momma tiger
nope, you dont mess with momma tiger.
Dorothycolleen
Just ask any mother.
Most of them would kill if that was needed, to preserve their children.
Maggie
Mitsuko
I'm very impressed with Mitsuko, I hope she manages to find some peace at the end. I'm enjoying this one.
Thank you.
I'm glad you like Mitsuko. She was just a bit player, to illustrate something in the story originally, then I got to thinking... Which is usually kind of dangerous when I do it. lol.
Maggie
*blush* Oh My!
Well, so far so good for the plan I guess. The Spectre now knows the producer and the distributer of the chipped girls, she has Mitsuko working for her from the other end of the chain and a team of people she can call on to help her take the bad guys down. I can't help but think that it's not going to be that easy though.
Thank you Maggie for another chapter of this story.
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Of course,
it isn't going to be easy. It wouldn't be any fun at all if it was, after all.
Maggie
Sorry
Sorry. On re-reading it, my comment is prolly the most blindingly obvious thing possible to say.
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Not just revenge
This chapter shoved my face into the fact, Samira's fate wasn't just for revenge. By following her as she is processed, Spectre gets to see this entire piece of the operation. And what an operation it is. This thing is a lot larger than just high slavers. R@D which might be spread among several labs, and that's not even taking into account the middle men and money managers. Plus, remember this was only to defray the operating costs of the real effort. That's not including the active Nano tech and the DNA alteration tech with the possibility of Aliens/rogue AI's being involved.
Great story Maggie and thanks for answering my question about the toxic issue!
hugs!
Grover
All I'll say on that count...
Is that Diana has a plan. Yes, it is bloody minded, but given what she is, what else would you expect? And yes, the problem is very extensive and far reaching. There will be more about that in the next few chapters.
Maggie
Spectre: Shades of Grey chapter 7
Question is: when Spectre has found all of the men who've caused this tragedy, will they be given the treatment? What of the clients? Do they know about the treatment? Will they be given the treatment? What of the victims? Can they be cured? What of Mitsuko? Is she able to accept being a woman and overcoming the programming? Are there otheres out there like her?
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Good questions there, Stan.
Answers? Well, I guess those will just have to wait for awhile. (evil grin)
Maggie
Introspective
It's tough to really enjoy doing your work when it comes to delivering vengeance and then taking a gander at it from an introspective viewpoint.
_________________
Curse you Kyle Rayner! My question is, Does he wear the mask when they're playing Yahtzee? That's what they were going to do, right? O_o
See, you have to explain these things to me because I'm a good girl. D8 Okay, maybe not.
~Lili
Blog: http://lilithlangtree.tglibrary.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lilith_langtree
~Lili
Write the story that you most desperately want to read.
It's the biometal, AKA the wires that are toxic, not the chips
At least as I recall from the first story but as the chip and biometal are a system the confusion is understandable even for Charlie.
So they could reprogram the chips, in theory, to let a person act again as they once, IE have free will, given that the toxicity problem appears solved. Removing the wires and chip would be hard as it was deliberately instructed to take over critical nervous system functions and those original nerves are gone. IE take out the chip and the body dies
Hum, could the nanites replace the nerves over time and remove the wire?
BIG Q is after the genetic changes, -- which I assume CAN be done multiple times -- can one be restored to ones genetic body assuming a sample can be found? Obviously the mental changes will be harder to fix and even if eliminated where will be the memories of what was done and how they acted under its influence.
I'd say EVERY doctor involved, this bastard who ordered Charles *demise* and so on ALL need to be chipped, transformed then dumped in a mass grave after awhile. No trace of their research or device can be allowed to survive unless a way can be found to make it only available for compassionate medical use and that would be difficult though not impossible. If say Jade used her tech to build a foolproof safeguard into the chips and strictly controlled the info and source of biowire? IE a deadman switch/self destruct built into the chip? Maybe at some point it dissolves harmlessly AFTER it with nanite help had rebuilt the damaged/diseased body parts it replaced? IE the chip is a healing device.
As *satisfying* as their comeuppance will be, I fear they are a source for others to *Harvest* this sick tech from. The chips can be programmed to make the bastards behave but that won't stop others from experimenting on them. Though it if was done WHILE they were still alive ....
Jesse I have a mean streak.
Short but satisfing snack of a chapter, Maggie.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Maybe I would not want to be reprogramed?
Maybe if they made me Saudi/Greek, young and shapely, with great hips and beguiling smile? They could program me with belly dancing, seductiveness, shopping gene? Hmmmm
Of course if these chips became common in public use ... Men could be programed to be responsible, loving and financially competent. Women could be programmed to not cut their hair, be submissive and obedient to husband. I think that Lawyers and Marriage Counselors would find a way to get that outlawed. They make too much money.
K
Reprogramming...
First of all, I would welcome the genetic and nanite technology with open arms. It would be wonderful if everyone in the world could reconfigure their bodies to match their souls. I'm sure it would go beyond the idea of turning everyone into Barbie/Ken/GI Joe/Arnie to more outlandish modifications -- kitty girls, mermaids/mermen, werewolves, gargoyles, succubi, lizard people, and just about every other variation you see in mythology, comic books, and other fiction.
Also, we wouldn't have to grow old disgracefully. ;-) It would be a wonderful way to extend our lives indefinitely. How many different body styles would we try in the next thousand years or so?
But the reprogramming... Well, there are very few people I would trust to hold the keys to my head. Actually, I would trust more than most because I have such a wonderful family. Still, how many parents would use the chip to 'help' a child overcome his 'girly tendencies?'
Of course, if done correctly and carefully, it would help us get rid of things like OCD, PTSD, phobias, and the like. It would have to be done carefully so that it would be truly therapeutic, rather than just making the problem invisible others. I'm sure there would be quite a few quacks who do exactly that -- advertising by recording glowing testimonials.
What would a good treatment regimen look like?
The first step would be to fix up the body. How many of us have insecurities because our bodies just aren't what we want them to be?
The enhancements would go way beyond simply matching our appearance -- though that is definitely a big deal. The biometal could be used to give us lightning reflexes, the ability to quickly gain 'muscle memories,' and even provide an interface that allows us to seamlessly work with computers, control vehicles, and receive sensory information.
Once that load is removed, and we have started to gain physical and mental skills that we relish, the chip could help us clean up whatever is left. It wouldn't even have to involve anyone directly accessing the chip's programming. It would simply be a way of enhancing the effects of counseling.
In fact, counseling and brainwashing are actually two methods of reprogramming a human. A chip that is controlled by implantee would be a good tool that would allow one to enhance to effect of counseling and resist brainwashing. In fact, torture could be resisted by the simple expedient of turning off the pain response. The knowledge that any permanent physical damage can be cured would go a long way in keeping the victim from giving up hope.
That doesn't mean that it would never be used for evil. Every technology can be and is used for evil.
That will be covered later. Promise.
The wires, I mean. The other stuff? We'll see as the story progresses.
Maggie
Mask?
Okay, I'll cave. He took it off. (smirk)
On a serious note, I'm using the introspection to try and show that Spectre is still, in part, human and is clawing to hang on to that.
Maggie
Expose or not expose is another question
Is this tech so frightening that it should not be made known to the general public or at least high level law enforcement? So far it seems to be more or less a meta or 'human plus' affair as they are doing things that will not stand up in court so regular law enforcement seems to have its hands tied. My point is once the whole incredibly sordid mess is over, should such the existence of such a tech be exposed to the light of day?
Well exposure provides more eyes and ears to have people look out for this kind of thing, perhaps provide some kind of detector for the biometal. Unless the metas can be everywhere, ordinary human help may be important to prevent a recurrence or help find out why certain people are acting strangely or ... If I were the general public in this reality, or any sane society for that matter, the idea of biometal chipping would of course be horrifying. Another thought is that exposure could have more people try to access such a tech; dictatorial regimes would love it! In a real sense, it is even worse then nuclear weapons.
It is hoped this whole thing can be wrapped up and gotten rid of in this storyline, but if not, then this will be the big boogeyman tech of the retcon universe with some idiots thinking they can safely use the tech whereas the reality it is like a Ford Pinto, so to speak, and is unsafe at any speed.
Personally, biometal fatigue could set in in using biometal as the emotional wrench in a story over and over again especially to be reminded over and over again that the reality is that there will always be human beings who would sink so low to use such a tech. It is extremely depressing.
Kim
I'm hoping
That this won't become a recurring theme for villains in the Retcon universe. For one thing it's just too pat and easy to do. Probably why I picked on it. (grins) As has been said already, so many potentially good things have been turned so they are dangerously destructive in our hstory. Yes, used properly, the bio-chip would be nothing short of a miracle. Used improperly, as it being done in this story, it would be a gateway to Hell.
Such is Humanity. Potential for greatness be it good or evil. Our choices, or lack of them, shape the road we follow.
Maggie
Microcosm and Macrocosm
Humanity has created weapons capable of destroying regiments. Chemical warfare is now outlawed. But the chemical industry prospers.
Humanity has created weapons capable of destroying towns. Nuclear warfare has never happened because of MAD concerns. Nuclear industry is rigidly controlled.
Humanity has potential to create a weapon capable of destroying life on Earth. Biological warfare is outlawed. But the development of genetics marches onward.
And in biochips, humanity has created a tool of demolishing the human souls. However, it is unseen by naked eye, its effects are not readily apparent to those who haven't seen the before picture. It will be stomped down, repeatedly, time and again, when new human-guise-roaches take it and run with it. However...
Catwoman, with her AI incorporated, shows how a similar technology could be used in a beneficial way. It is possible that someone somewhere will attempt to actually create a working design of a cyber-interface based on biometal. However, that is not going to come to pass for the longest time.
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
Diana's Project
OK, let's add my thoughts on Diana's project.
There are probably hundreds of people involved in one way or another with the chip / slavery scheme, and probably several different organisations involved. Diana has been able to get a limited amount of information from those who've already experienced the process, but not nearly enough to find out who's involved and to nail the big players.
In modern society, perpetrators are rarely given a literal taste of their own medicine. Particularly with regards to this project, it is quite cruel. However, it is a form of poetic justice, and as he is a less innocent victim than all the others, he's viewed as a suitable pawn (especially as he was an employee, so Mitsuko was a perk of the job, rather than buying her on the open market). Diana can track him through the entire process of the transformation (well, she's got to - it's one of the terms and conditions of service Tisiphone's imposed on her), and of course en-route will encounter the 'front-line' staff.
Once she's identified who they are, where they are, and what their roles are, she can start covertly following them to build up a bigger picture of the entire organisation. As I said above, it's likely there are several companies involved:
a) biometal acquisition
b) chip fabrication
c) medical intervention
d) slavery
As for what could feasibly be done in the future with the victims of the chips, hopefully en-route someone involved in Diana's project will be able to access the technical specification, documentation and early experimental write-ups for/of the chip, so someone with the necessary knowledge could ascertain exactly what they do and how they operate, so work out if it is possible to disable them without killing the victim en-route.
Even if it is discovered the chip could be disabled, it would probably be more fortuitous to start off by slowly dampening the chip impulses to wean the victim off - that way, if dampening the impulses beyond a certain level proved hazardous to health, the impulse strength could be restored to its previous level.
Another route would be to see if the chips were designed to allow additional instructions or reprogramming after implantation. The early revisions of the chip probably didn't have that functionality, but it may have been added in later revisions to cope with customers whose needs / demands of their slave changed over time. If that was the case, it may be possible to overwrite the original programming with a set of basic survival instructions or programming designed to encourage expression of any remaining emotions and build them up to 'normal' levels.
There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't...
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!