NanoSymbionts

by Joseph Philbrook

  Jake however, is a special case. He is developing into a very rare type of nanosymbiont. His nanites are less able to resist his will. Someday he may even have the capability to use them to actually extract such information directly from a living mind. That fact alone will undoubtedly earn him some powerful enemies, even if he is careful never to use that ability. These would be the kind of enemies that put everyone associated with Jake at risk.”

  “You mean some nut might take a shot at one of us, just to hurt him?” Cindy interrupted.

  “That's possible too Cindy,” Sandra replied. “But I was thinking about someone taking you hostage to get leverage on him.” Sandra paused to let the idea sink in. “The truth is, there are some real dangers for everyone around Jake right now. And unfortunately that goes double for you. The best way I can think of to keep you safe, is to give you an edge that his enemies won't suspect.

  But getting back to your keeping a secret from him. He already helped me design a special nanite filter to keep him from messing with your head.”

  “Wait, I thought all you could do was to limit how much he accidentally messes with other people's sexual preferences and shit like that?” Cindy interrupted again.

  “Well that's how the regular nano-pheromone filter works,” Sandra explained. “But he really wanted to protect you. So the day he trashed my lab, I got enough data that the one I build for you will be able to convince his nanites that he ‘really’ didn't want them to mess with your brain at all.” Cindy frowned.

  “But if all it does is tell them he didn't want them to, can't he just tell them he changed his mind?” she asked.

  “Yes and no,” Sandra continued. “First he would have to realize exactly how my filter works. I'm pretty sure it will be awhile before his nanite communication skills develops enough for him to get that kind of quality information from them. That's assuming he really works at it.

  Don't forget he really doesn't want to mess with your mind. His feelings were quite strong about that. He isn't likely to actually change his mind, unless we give him a reason to. Which we won't as long as we don't make him suspect the abilities that I hope you'll let me give you. Which is why you must never talk about these secrets at all until Steve gets back.

  We must also be careful that nobody sees you use your new skills, of course. Then, as long as we don't give him a reason to wonder just how good the nanite filter I've built for you really is... Which he won't, unless we do something silly. Like giving you complete immunity to the general state of arousal his nanites inspire in everyone around him when he's hot to trot. If we do this right, he won't have a reason to wonder how much protection I'm building in to this thing.

  We won't be able to fool Steve when he comes back though. But if Steve decides I can let you keep the custom interface, it will be OK for Jake and a few others like Stephanie and Jess to find out.

  You should be aware that I'll be walking a thin line with this stuff. Steve might decide that I'm getting too close to infringing on the the aspects of guild nanotech which would cause them to intervene. Which in turn could cause him to make me pull the plug... In which case it won't much mater anymore.”

  Sandra paused for a minute. Then since Cindy wasn't saying anything she continued.

  “You don't actually have to give me an answer right away,” she said. “Because if and whenever you tell me that we have a deal, I'll know what the deal is and can begin teaching you the secret stuff. But if you've got any questions you need to ask me first, you better ask them quickly. Where almost there.” Sandra pointed at a small display that said ‘ETA 3 minutes’ and waited to hear whatever Cindy would say.

  Cindy didn't say anything until the display said ‘ETA 1 minute’.

  “Even if we have a deal, your still not going to load me up with all those nanites unless I decide it's OK right?” she suddenly insisted.

  At which point the green light, on the device that Sandra was still holding out where they could see it, suddenly changed to a flashing red one.

  “We're arriving at our destination,” the pilot's voice said. “Please remain strapped in until we touch down. I hope you enjoyed your flight.”

  As he spoke the helicopter rapidly descended towards a roof top helipad. As soon as the helicopter landed the soft overhead whine rapidly faded as the rotor slowed to a stop. When it stopped completely there was a loud buzzing sound and a flashing light by the door, which then slid open. The pilot's chair had again turned far enough that he could look at them over his shoulder.

  “You may disembark ladies,” his voice said. “And do have a nice day.”

  “Yes Cindy those were the terms of our bargain,” Sandra said guardedly when they were standing on the roof. “Does that mean we have a deal?”

  Cindy nodded.

  “Yup I guess we do at that,” she agreed.

  Sandra smiled and said, “Outstanding!”

  “OK where do we start?” Cindy asked, the moment they got to Sandra's nano-systems lab.

  As she spoke she looked around at the room and it's contents. It was easily 3 times as wide as it was deep. The far wall consisted of a nearly continuous row of windows. There were two desks, one on each end of the room. Each desk had a computer terminal on it. Between the desks there was one long table. In the center of the table there was a device that Cindy thought looked something like a giant microscope. Except that there wasn't an eyepiece. Sandra walked to one of the desks as she began to answer.

  “Well for starters I need to set you up with a control login,” she said.

  The desk had two chairs behind it. As Sandra sat down in one of them, she suggestively pointed at the other. While Cindy sat down beside her, Sandra typed a few commands. Then she positioned the keyboard in front of Cindy.

  “I need you to make up a temporary password,” Sandra began. “You can change it later. And it's more for appearances than effect anyway, as our systems will actually recognize you by various bioscan processes. But passwords are one way you can covertly tell the system, whether or not your under duress.”

  After Cindy confirmed her new password, the terminal informed her it was initiating a tutorial.

  “I know you got some of this from that biofeedback session Cindy,” Sandra explained. “But this tutorial has some details that wasn't included in that session. Why don't you see how much you can learn. While I set up some toys for you to practice with.” When Cindy nodded, Sandra moved to the other desk.

  The Tutorial turned out to be easy to use and Cindy was soon enjoying it's lessons. One of which included some details on the differences between the different kinds of nanites in the guild's database. Specifically the ones that the guild classified as restricted technology.

  Prime (questor grade): Self replicating, multipurpose, nanites that are capable of self modification via embedded networking capability. These are encoded to require symbionce with a designated host. Once bonded with their host, ‘Prime’ nanites develop into a sentient network that serves and supports the native host-mind. Further details on this category are restricted.

  Augmentation: Special type of nanites, with limited multipurpose capabilities, used to augment the capabilities of various non-questor guild personnel. Augmentation grade nanites are directly constructed programmed, and maintained by prime nanites. They come in 4 categories:

  Category 0: Medical: Able to protect it's assigned host from most known natural diseases. And defend against most bio weapons. Can also heal most injuries. And maintain youthful vigor for a significantly extended lifespan.

  Category 1: Direct Techno-mental Interface: (includes Category 0 function) Provides two way control interface between assigned host's brain and almost any technological device Including many that were not specifically designed for remote control. Category 1 nanites do that by forming nano-pods, capable of interfacing with the device. Note: Using nano-pods potentially depletes nanite reserves. Though the nanites can be recovered if the nano-pod successfully returns to it's assigned h
ost's body.

  Category 2: Physical Enhancement: (includes Category 0 function) These nanites increase physical strength, reflexes and via a biofeedback mechanism. They also improve the physical coordination of their assigned host. Category 2 can also include a rare variation able to provide certain physical adaptions. Such as forming temporary artificial gills to prevent an air breathing host from drowning.

  Category 3: Combination Techno-mental and Physical Enhancement: (includes Category 0, 1, & 2 functions) The deployment of Category 3 augmentation is strongly discouraged by the guild council.

  Enhancement: Similar to Augmentation except generally less effective. These nanites must be constructed and individually programmed for specific tasks by an external nanite construction system. They are generally classified under the same 4 categories as guild augmentation grade nanites (This type of nano-technology is known to exist outside the guild.)

  General Use: (Purpose Built): Similar to Enhancement grade in that they must be constructed and individually preprogrammed by special constructor systems. This includes a wide assortment of tools and devices, from simple pliers to personal computers. Generally anything constructed out of nanites. This grade of nanite is also used to manufacture most prepackaged nano-medical treatment packages. (This type of nano-technology is known to exist outside the guild. It is also widely marketed by the guild.)

  “OK you've been at it long enough for now Cindy,” Sandra eventually interrupted Cindy's reading. “You can pick up where you left off from any terminal here at any Micronic Enterprises facility or one of the terminals at Hillside. Right now I want to talk to you about the toolkit I've made for you.” As she spoke, Sandra held up a pink shoulder bag that looked like a pocketbook to Cindy. “It's actually a specialized nano-tool construction system. And it can be configured in a variety of colors and styles.

  It's got the capacity to build many nano-devices. Everything from a sonic defense shield generator to this pair of sunglasses that's really a scanner-viewer. It lets you see almost anything.” As she said this Sandra pulled something resembling a pair of sunglasses out of the bag. “Such glasses can emulate the functions of anything from a telescope, to a microscope or even an X-ray machine. Well they don't actually use X-rays, But if you want to, you can effectively look right through most materials. Their processing logic is so good that once you learn how to program it you can easily check out the body art on a fully dressed stranger.”

  Sandra held out the sunglasses to Cindy who tried them on. To Cindy's surprise they didn't darken the room. They did take all the glare out of it however. Then she turned towards Sandra and somehow clearly saw that she was wearing a pink bra and panties set. Which almost instantly faded to transparent giving Cindy almost as clear a view of Sandra's body as if she had been standing their naked. Sandra laughed at the blush that suddenly tinted Cindy's cheeks as she realized that Sandra knew exactly what she was staring at.

  “Of course, if you decide to walk down a city street with these things set to auto-voyeurism mode,” Sandra continued. “You might sometimes see sights you'd wish you hadn't. Now let me show you how to switch the bag and goodies to another style of color coordinated toys.”

  Sandra pulled an inner gray liner from the bag which extended until it covered the whole shoulder bag. The liner had a drawing of a keyboard on it. On this keyboard image Sandra typed a command and the liner retracted reveling that the bag was now black.

  Then reaching into the bag Sandra pulled out a slim black four by six inch case. Sandra opened the case to reveal a mirror and several shades of makeup along with some fine applicator brushes.

  “In addition to being configurable to whatever shades and colors you'd like,” Sandra said. “This makeup kit comes with a special feature.”

  She snapped the kit shut and reopened it. Only this time instead of make up and mirror, the case appeared to be a miniature laptop computer.

  “Once it's been set to your bioscan readings, this control device will only work for you,” Sandra explained as she handed it to Cindy.

  There was a message on the minicomputer's display screen.

  ‘If and when you let me set up that nano-link, you'll be able to access most of it's functions without so much as taking it out of the bag.’ As Cindy read that, another message appeared below the first ‘Personalization identi-scan complete.’

  ***

  “What exactly did you mean when you said ‘it's your fault’ that Wildernest's transdimensional coordinates need to be recalibrated Jake?” Stephanie said acidly. “I was planning on introducing the two of you to my friend Kernislarn today.”

  “You wanted us to meet someone?” Cindy spoke up. “I thought you were going to give us some ‘physical’ training.” As she said this last part Cindy pointedly ogled the dancer's exposed nipples.

  “It was during my first visit to Hillside,” Jake said. “Before Cindy and I agreed to an open relationship.”

  “Steve brought me here to see the waterfall. And I suddenly realized I had to do something to prevent having a romp with this hot sexpot on the other side of the portal.”

  Stephanie snorted.

  “Oh please!” Cindy said.

  “It's true!” Jake continued. “This was just before I found out about your fling with Dave. So you see Cindy, at that point I was still working at avoiding such things.” Both girls looked at him skeptically. “Anyway, I shut it down the first way I was sure would work. I turned off the primary power.”

  Stephanie's mouth fell open.

  “You mean the portal link was active when you...” Her voice trailed off.

  Then she asked the computer how much longer the recalibration would take. The results were inconclusive.

  “Looks like Kernislarn won't be helping me with your training this week Jake.” Stephanie said with a sigh. “But if the portal was really linked when you trashed it, Steve must have initialized the recalibration process almost immediately. Even so, we will probably have to wait another month or so. I bet Steve reamed you out good for this.”

  “Actually Steve was rather soft spoken about it,” Jake alleged. “It was like he was in shock. I don't think he had a plan to cover the possibility. Of course, he was also still trying to sell me on this apprenticeship thing.”

  “OK then, it's time for plan B,” Stephanie said. “I can tell you one thing though Jake, You'll be having sexercises with Kernislarn before you'll be jumping my bones again.”

  “Oh great!” Cindy butted in. “What did I do? I was looking forward to us having some sexercise.”

  Stephanie suddenly stepped up to Cindy, deftly lifting up the front of her T-shirt and began rubbing her nipples against Cindy's.

  “I didn't say ‘your’ sexercise would have to wait that long Cindy,” she explained. Then just as suddenly Stephanie let go of Cindy's shirt and stepped back. Cindy's shirt didn't quite settle into place because it got hung up on her very erect nipples.

  “In the meantime Jake,” Stephanie continued. “While I think you've got enough control now to watch us sexercise without interfering, I'm going to have to get somebody else to help with most of your physical training this week so that I can focus on Cindy's initial training. I'm going to ask Al if he will be your exercise buddy for now. Then by the time we get to Wildernest you should be ready for combat training.” Jake slowly shook his head.

  “I don't think your being quite fair Stephanie,” he said with a sigh. “But I'll do it your way. I think I'll see who's having a soak in the jacuzzi while I'm waiting to hear from Al. Tell him to look for me there.” Then Jake stepped into the elevator, and was gone.

  “Well if he's going to be in the jacuzzi, I think we will start in the pool.” Stephanie told Cindy. “But I need to talk to Al first. Will you meet me there in an hour?” Cindy nodded, and said “OK, I'll just go there now, and skinny dip till you get there.”

  The girls took the elevator to the basement level. Cindy immediately stripped and dove in the pool. Stephanie took
a cart down the hill to look up Al.

  ***

  MoonCloud awoke from a frightening dream. She was already forgetting most of it's details but she remembered that in her dream something was seriously wrong with the BranchCritter above. She resolved that as soon as there was enough daylight to see in the dark places near the BranchCritter's under belly. She would examine it closely.

  MoonCloud arose as the morning light started to creep into the nest. She climbed through one of the openings in the upper wall of the nest. Carefully she made her way through the foliage. Evidence that it had recently been the stomping ground of a large voracious StingRat was everywhere. More so than it should have been. There was very little evidence of the many FlingAts that should have been passing through. She figured that the StingRat must have been trapped inside the foliage clump by some threat that prevented it from going out much.

  Thus it must have been depleting the FlingAt population faster than they were recolonizing the clump. The only threat she could think of that could keep a hungry StingRat so cooped up was a SnarlClaw. Though she had no idea what could keep a SnarlClaw focused enough on such a small part of it's territory to keep the StingRat cooped up long enough to completely deplete the local FlingAt population.

  Then she realized what could happen to a BranchCritter. That didn't have enough FlingAts feeding on it's BranchTicks. She immediately made her way close enough to the BranchCritter's underbelly to confirm her suspicion. The poor thing was infested with them.

  She quickly harvested some SpongeFruit and made a pile of the stems on a large leaf. When she had collected as much as she thought she could work with. She returned to the underbelly of the BranchCritter. The root stalks of the existing vines were sparser than they should be but there was still very little room for her to crawl through. Her poncho would certainly have snagged on something. So as much as she disliked the idea of any of those BranchTicks getting on her skin. She shed it and fastened it to a vine just below where she intended to work.