Nexus Effect

Ch.76

Hunter descended to Aite in a UT-50 Ursa, the Tombstone. Itpenetrated the cloud layer, continuing down to the surface complex of the lab. He could see the place almost looked deserted except for the blood and scorch marks and dead, pure white wolves with the logo of Cerberus on their heads. Hunter noted Alliance Drones guarding the power building with piles of White Wolves around the mechs.

“What are they guarding the place from?” Hunter mused as he looked around with his keen eyes that were supernaturally capable of spotting distant details. “I don’t see any signs of external entry into the facility.” He commented after disembarking. Hunter fell to his knees as he felt something try to invade his mind. He clutched his head in pain as it became almost unbearable for him. He hadn’t felt a psychic intrusion this intense since that mindflayer incident in universe 7746-B. The ones chasing that kobold before the wedding notwithstanding.

“Scanning lifeform.” A feminine voice said, feeling it poking inside his head while trying to fight it off. “Resistance? Interesting. Must learn more. Retrieve this entity.”

“Get in here, its telepathy can’t penetrate in here!” A balding caucasian man with a messy beard shouted from out a door into a nearby container-style building. “Get in here before more Beowolves come!” He shouted urgently as the Beowolves came after him.

Hunter forced his way towards the man through grit teeth, activating an auto-pilot for his ship to fly away. The man led him into the small building that thankfully had a stairway leading down into the complex. Sure enough, when they were inside, whatever shielding this place had it stopped the pressure on Hunter’s mind and he sighed in relief.

“Thank you.” Hunter said to the human scientist as he was brought into a security room that was eerily empty of any other personnel.

“You’re welcome. I’m Dr. Gavin Archer, leader of this project to create a living ship like a Reaper.” Gavin introduced himself as he made his way over to a console.

“Well then Doctor, you can start explaining what's the purpose in doing such a thing?” Hunter questioned the scientist warily.

“The plan was to make a vessel that could counter the Reapers once they came. We couldn’t control it, so we were prepared to scrap it and start over. We didn’t anticipate it could control lesser LI models like the Beowolf. Nor that it could attempt to hack a mind like a computer. Electromagnetic pulses like the ones from the generator room next to this one blocks its mind. I’m the only one alive as far as I know.” Archer sighed as he typed away at a console.

“What did you expect it to do: keel over and die by your will? What else did you create before attempting that?” Hunter demanded from the doctor with a scowl. Idiots. You can’t just create life and then expect it to obey you! There’s a reason slavery is stupid and wrong beyond moral reasons, it’s because living things have their own wills and won’t truly give in unless they decide they don’t want to live any longer.

“Beowolves, Phoenixes, Jambavan and the Oroboros all follow Lupus’ commands now.” Archer sighed, rubbing his face. “We never expected the Lupus to be able to control them, we thought that with them all having their own independent wills that they’d be able to resist full control.” Hunter blinked in a bit of surprise. That was much like his own thoughts, so Cerberus wasn’t just making LI and expecting them to obey? They were training them then?

“Lupus?” Was that the voice he heard before?

“The name of the vessel. It's the name of a constellation of stars seen from Earth that in history represents a legendary wolf.” Archer explained, assuming that Hunter wouldn’t know the source material since it is a distinctly human piece of knowledge.

“Why would you risk creating LI’s? I highly doubt you know the difference between an AI and an LI. Let alone treat them any differently.” Hunter asked, still looking at the doctor with disapproval and disdain. What is up with Cerberus and their damned double-standards?! It was like a running joke for them every time they shot themselves in the foot and expected things to go smoothly.

“The other four LIs were animals to begin with. Simple creatures, bred and born the same way Geth do. We’ve tested them, their minds are just a little faster than their organic counterparts on their own, otherwise their additional programming allows for comprehension, but not advanced intelligence. Try as we might, we can’t pack the comprehension of a sapient being into such a small creature. Yet. So their minds are linked to a central computer by QEC tech that isn’t even on this planet. Lupus is purposefully not linked to it, yet it has still assumed control.

“Lupus on the other hand was built rather than born with it based off of a downloaded born LI. It has a 400% increase in intelligence compared to a normal wolf, due to the need for the processing power to handle everything the ship needed to calculate. How much power the shields need, how much thrust do I need to get from this object to that one, how to activate a Relay for FTL. We didn’t expect it to immediately attack when it was activated. I’ve lost so many good people today.” Archer explained with a sigh and pulled out a bottle of whisky from under the console.

Hunter shook his head as he pulled out his helmet, taking his hoodie off before placing it on. “Doctor, as of now your project is over. You will be placed under arrest for what you’ve done here today. All of your research material and other documents will be confiscated. Resist and you will be executed on the spot.” Hunter laid it in on Archer.

“I surrender, my team is dead, all the animals we bred and trained have been killed or are trying to kill us. I don’t care about what the Illusive Man will do to me anymore, but if you find my brother alive please get him out, that’s all I ask.” Archer pleaded before he knocked back the whole bottle of whiskey and Hunter didn’t begrudge him the desire to be drunk. The man may have done terrible things, but this project is sounding almost like a K-9 training center gone horribly wrong. Depending on the methods used, the Empire might even look into it themselves.

Everyone loves fluffy murder-machines after all. Look at the Cat-Kut.

“For your cooperation, I’ll grant you your request.” Hunter nodded before pulling his hoodie back up and sent a message for reinforcements.

“Be careful with him, he has mental disorders and doesn’t react normally to social interactions. He’s much better with numbers and he loves animals, which is why he’s even here. Our original objective was to try and take control of the Geth by understanding them better. My brother’s knack for numbers was a breakthrough into talking with lesser Geth that hadn’t been upgraded, but as time passed we realized the Geth had evolved too far for our plans to work, so we changed objectives to try and counter the Reapers in space instead.” Acher spoke with a slur as the whiskey kicked in, which was probably why he was still rambling.

“I’ve marked this place as the landing zone for my people to come pick you up. I’ll deal with Lupus since she’s interested in me now.” Hunter handcuffed Dr. Archer as he steadied the drunk man. He had to know where to get that brand, it looks really potent or Archer is a lightweight. The doctor looked at him incredulously.

“The beast was talking to you?” Archer asked curiously, perhaps even now his scientific mind sought answers.

“Yes. Now, wait here if you value your life.” Hunter ended it there and walked away. “I got a date with a beauty beast.”

[1001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

“So you’re the two who saved my Ex?” Liara’s sire, Aethyta, chuckled as she thrust her chest forward to stretch the cleavage of her low-cut top. “Well, now she’s my mate again and begging for sex almost every day. By the goddess her jugs are so big now too! How did you two manage to make her unwind?” The lusty asari Matriarch, who of course seemed to defy asari cultural standards by being the owner of the club we’d decided to wreck with our partying.

Metaphorically of course, but Jack may have accidentally smashed a few tables in the process of beating down a couple of molesters for daring to touch Yola without permission. Which is why Aethyta came down to the floor and met us, which is what led to us all drinking in her VIP bar and having fun after I replaced the tables on the spot much to the interest of onlookers. You’d think people had seen engineers do on-the-spot build work before, but apparently I’m special.

“Well, she got into an ishesht, inshest, sexed Liara. Sexed us. Sexed Shepard. Got pregnant. All good times to save the galaxy.” I slurred as I wavered and rubbed Ashley’s ass when I leaned against her in the seat next to me and she resolutely drank her soda since she decided to be the responsible one. Thank you Chrysie for making my body able to get drunk!

“I know that much, but she’s so coy about what caused it. Also, why is she physically younger than before? I’d almost swear she’s a Matron again.” Aethyta probed after she handed me another drink. I forgot what it was called, but it tasted good and made me feel fuzzy so I like it.

Is Aethyta unbuttoning her dress in front of us? “You’d need to speak to them when they aren’t drunk to know more, but their bodies produce generic blanket gene mods that help bridge dextro and levo proteins, increase elasticity and invigorate cells. Basically a youth treatment that actually turns back the clock. Standard stuff in Imperial space apparently, but expensive. These two just give it out for free.” Ashley answered since Yola was too busy making out with Jack, the latter pinning her to the booth and grinding against her suit-contained member.

“Really?” The Matriarch chuckled as her breasts slipped out of her dress. “Mind if I get enough of it to get as busty as my mate?”

“Gunna needs a tank. Gots one, but tits too schmall to git it.” I slurred as I stood up and unzipped to reveal my tits. “Ish in deez titsh. Need to git bigger.” I reached over the counter, grabbing the tap hose of water and put it in my mouth before I began chugging, my tits inflating immediately since I directed the flow to them.

“Whoa! What is she doing?!” Aethyta shouted in shock as I turned around to lean on the bar and groped my boobs as they grew, groaning in pleasure and rocking my hips on my stool.

“Oh, right. It isn’t common knowledge beyond Imperial space, but they have pocket dimensional storage accessible through cleavage and their pants depending on if they have breasts or male genitals. She must be expanding her breasts to be able to get the tank you just requested.” Ashley informed the asari as I moaned around the hose and dove my hand into my suit to finger my cunt and diddle my clit as I swelled since my tits were now yoga-ball sized and my nipples were too far away for me to play with.

“Oh, well this is hot and now I’m horny.” Aethyta chuckled as she rounded the bar to put one knee on the stool next to me and she pressed her breasts to my face as I kept swallowing. “How big can she get?” She groped my right breast and I moaned in pleasure as my tits swelled down to the floor and kept going.

“I don’t think she has a limit. I saw her pregnant with a belly the size of a small island and tits half that big.” Ashley said as I dimly registered my nipples pressing into Jack and Yola, who began sucking on them and humping my breasts, causing me to orgasm and accidentally cough out the hose, which turned off since my teeth were keeping the nozzle trigger open.

“Oopsh…” Too big. Didn’t need them this big. “I cannae git it. Ash~.” I mewled and spasmed when I felt my massive nipples go into wet and hungry pussies. My eyes rolled back and I gurgled before the beautiful blue woman kissed me and I lost track of things.

That was Body-In-Charge me.

While Body-In-Charge was having fun, the rest of me, Mind-In-Charge, was in the systems of the city of Nos Astra. Wow this place was a mess. It wasn’t as bad as Omega or the Citadel, but it was pretty nasty. At least the Citadel don’t have a gang of military-kitted killers who literally have murder as the entry requirement.

While I’m having fun and helping Penny and the others with Miranda’s sister, I’m also helping the local authorities crack down on this rampant crime wave while also streamlining future objectives.

Reporting Elona for murdering that volus. Reporting his partner for smuggling Red Sand and other illegal substances. Reporting Nassana for all of her atrocities, especially the ongoing slaughter of all of her employees so people will be even happier when they find her dead at Thane’s hands later. Providing Samara with the info she’s seeking and letting her know that the Normandy is willing to aid her in her daughter’s elimination if she joins the cause, et cetera.

Oh, also spying on Benezia and Liara getting in some love. Hot damn was Aethyta not kidding, she jumped Liara the moment she got home.

Anyway, this is both awesome and it sucks. A part of me is having epic hyper-busty sex while the rest of me is all business. Boring. I didn’t know being this advanced of a synthetic intelligence would come with drawbacks like this. Sure, I’m getting off, but I’m not at the same time. Boo. I guess I’ll just read something while Body-In-Charge possibly impregnates Aethyta.

[1001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

“Are you alright, Miranda?” Penny asked once everything had calmed down and she convinced Miranda to talk to her sister. After they had a talk that seemed to go well, considering Penny, Garrus and Tali gave her distance for what was a private matter, she rejoined them with a smile and tears in her eyes.

“Isn’t that an odd question. I’m feeling incredible right now. Oriana wants me to stay in touch, says she doesn’t want her big sister to just disappear on her. I hope I can keep that promise.” Miranda wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffled.

“It’ll give you a reason to come back.” Garrus said knowingly and Miranda smiled at him, which was a good sign. Miranda always kept a respectful distance from anyone else, alien or otherwise.

“Like how your sister keeps you in contact with your father even though he sounds nearly as bad as my own?” Miranda asked with understanding and he looked into her eyes for a moment.

“...Yeah. Like that.” Garrus agreed with a slight nod. “Now then, what next, Penny?”

“Now, we have a ride provided by Seryna to Dantius Towers. The public taxi system can’t enter the area because it’s considered private airspace, but she has the access codes to allow her to manually guide the shuttle there without being locked out.” Penny announced before they left the elevator into the streets of the city, where a small market square was hosted.

“Free Potion samples!” A blue pony mare with a silky and shiny silvery mane and tail shouted from a stand they were passing. It was odd to see a kiosk made of wood in the middle of a city made of metal and concrete. “Give praise to the gods with tokens! Keep the evils of Corruption from tainting you with Purifying water! Keep the demons of Hell away with a branch of Harmonia! Experience worlds of fantasy with the scrolls of the Chaos Trinity!”

“An Imperial shop? That isn’t under lock and key? What do you offer?” Miranda asked curiously of the busty unicorn in clothes similar to the standard of people across the galaxy, but much more organic in that the Empire demands at least 30% of a non-military outfit be composed of natural fibers, to not forget the roots of society and to support the lives of farmers who still do vital work for said society.

“Trixie offers the best the Empire has to offer the galaxy! Trixie is a licensed operator and gets her stock from a Chaotic supplier.” The blue mare said, making Penny tilt her head. That last bit didn’t sound legal.

“Wait. Trixie Lulamoon?” Miranda asked in surprise before she brought up her omni. “The Undead Trickster? You tend to bring chaos everywhere with you, even if you don’t intend to from what I have on you.” Wait, what was that about Undead?

“Yes, does Trixie’s reputation proceed her again?” Trixie chuckled with a wide smile. “Trixie only wishes to please the Trinity.”

“What’s that about Undead?” Tali voiced, much to Penny’s appreciation.

“Ah, yes. It’s a phenomenon found in Andromeda, but not here. The magic of Equus is volatile and sometimes unpredictable. We Undead have been around for as long as history can remember. Trixie, for instance, is over 7000 years old, but hasn’t aged a day past 23. It isn’t contagious, anymore. Undead also are restricted from breeding save for extenuating circumstances or if they are in direct service of either of the Goddesses of Fertility.” Trixie explained, then gestured to her wares. “Now then, how can Trixie help you?”

“Well, that begs the answer to Miranda’s first question.” Garrus commented, causing Penny to pout. She wasn’t used to being in the back seat of a conversation.

“Trixie has potions that do many things, from increasing elasticity, to turning the drinker into a slime! The effects are utterly random, so be warned. Trixie requires a signature if anyone wants one. As for the rest, she stocks charms to the gods of the Empire, magic scrolls to suit any occasion. The list goes on. On this list Princess Sparkle requires all vendors to write.” Trixie rolled her eyes in fond exasperation as she tapped the digital clipboard tied to the kiosk.

“That’s a long list. It just keeps adding stuff.” Penny said as she looked at the digital tablet that was way too thin to be using traditional technology.

“As Trixie said; she is supplied by Chaos. Oh, be careful since some items may send you to the Warp.” Trixie warned grimly, but then waved her hand. “However, the Warp knows better than to harm anyone from here. They’d get an earful from Wiatr so blistering they’ll regret it.”

“I don’t know, this sounds really fishy…” Garrus muttered before Tali picked up a potion once she’d signed the sheet. “Tali!”

“What? It’s not like they can’t do anything to reverse it. Rannoch has a thriving Imperial market in the capital. The worst that could happen is I turn too small to be helpful and get benched.” Tali declared before putting the neck of the bottle to her mouthpiece and chugged it down boldly. “Mm~! That tastes good! Like strawberries. So, how long does it take to kick in?”

“Usually immediately…” Trixie blinked in surprise as she looked Tali’s suited body up and down. “Don’t you feel anything?”

“No, I must’ve gotten a-.” Tali suddenly burst out of her suit, standing ten feet tall and coated in purple scales, but didn’t have wings even if the rest of her looked like a dragon. “Whoa! That was a delayed reaction! Now I’m too big, mind if I try again?” Tali asked the unicorn with a playful smile as she covered her nipples with her hands and her tail circled her pelvis for modesty.

“Go ahead! You’re drawing attention like the potions are supposed to!” Trixie declared cheerfully and Penny was too stunned at seeing her lover turn from her usual sexy self into an equally sexy amazon to stop her from snatching up another potion and knocking it back.

“Grape this time-.” Now she was the size of a barbie doll with fairy wings and looked like a blend of fox and dragon. “Too small! Again!” Trixie levitated her a bottle and the tiny fairy glugged it down in a cartoonish manner that didn’t at all distend her body, then she was back to normal. “Aw, a reset? Boring! Can I buy several of these with a reset potion for some fun later?”

“Of course! Trixie is always glad to provide for her customers!” Trixie beamed as her magic zapped Tali’s suit and it was back in one piece on her. “Would the rest of you like anything?”

“Actually, yes. Those potions did something incredible so casually just now.” Miranda blinked in amazement and Penny and Garrus shook their heads in exasperation.

“Don’t we have somewhere to be?” Garrus asked his friend who checked the time and the sky.

“No. It’s too light out and we have hours until Seryna said to be at the taxi dock north of here.” Penny admitted and approached the tablet to scan for anything interesting while Tali and Miranda spent their credits on their purchases, which were put in hemp bags that seemingly accepted the boggling amount of potion cases with ease and didn’t seem to get full. Wait…

“You sell melee weapons?” Penny asked while she stared at all the different melee weapon categories that came up when she selected the tab.

“Of course! No respectable Empire vendor doesn’t!” Trixie replied with a beaming smile.

“I’ll take your entire stock!” Penny slobbered with some Argent leaking from her lips.