Sky had just left work after a long shift, and was exhausted. The Pidgeot wanted nothing more than to just rush home, and take a well earned rest... But she was just too tired to do that. She already felt like she could sleep forever.
Standing as she waited for a car to pass, she had a strange feeling. Like something or someone was watching her. After crossing the road, the feeling remained.
'Is someone following me?'
Looking around, she saw nothing in the largely deserted streets. Not a soul stirring.
'Maybe just me being paranoid and tired...' She self-justified, trying to ignore the fact that just because she saw no one else, it didn't mean she was alone.
And of course, if it was just her and someone really following her, then they were alone.
'I really hope I'm just being paranoid.'
Onwards she walked, her growing discomfort from the strange feeling overriding the tiredness, an adrenaline rush leaving her more and more alert.
However, as she walked, the feeling began to fade. Now paying more attention thanks to the self-induced terror, Sky realised how silly she was being, and also seemed to remember just how tired she was.
'Now I feel even sleepier... Shouldn't have freaked out for no reason... Being followed, what an idiot I am. There's no one behind me.'
She was correct. There was nothing dangerous behind her. In front of her was another story.
It happened fast as her once-more tired mind was knocked for six. Something unseen yanked her violently into an alleyway, making her land on her head and momentarily dazing her. Two figures, an Espeon and an Umbreon, stood nearby, with blank green eyes and strange devices in their ears.
"Unit 0042 reports target is subdued with accidental force. Awaiting recovery of subject before proceeding with experiment." The Umbreon said.
"Unit 0043 confirms. Altering Prototype Chip command line to ensure that a full self diagnostic is run upon install of control systems." The Espeon said.
Both spoke in a robotic monotone, and as they spoke, their eyes ceased glowing, and the strange devices in their ears glowed instead.
The two stood as Sky groaned, and stirred, as if hearing an unspoken command.
"Unit 0043 reports subject is awakening. Proceeding with mission."
The Espeon reached down, touched Sky on her head, and then left. Meanwhile, Sky blinked after feeling a strange prodding sensation, and found herself staring up at the sky with something on her forehead.
'What is...' She thought, before she heard something else in her mind.
'System initiating. Partitioning previous run-data for future reference. Engaging control of body.'
'What does that mean? And what is on my head?'
Unseen by her, the object on her head was a small square microchip. Also unseen, was that her eyes had begun to spiral, a kaleidoscopic swirl of colours.
She tried to reach up for the small object, only to find her limbs unresponsive.
'Testing lower digits. Testing lower joint Ankle.'
Sky barely heard the voice, even inside her head.
'What is this? What's happened? I fell and... Oh no...'
She feared she had somehow caused herself a serious injury, possibly to her back. However, her train of thought was, if not redirected, then had something of a timetable change.
'Am I... Query: Am I paralysed?'
'Running query. Diagnostic of unit indicates no serious damage, unit is at optimal physical state but at low reserves of energy. Unit is 98% converted. Query complete. Connection established, shutting down original run data.'
'Affirmative. I am very tired. Hibernation would be of benefit...'
'Negative, entire unit cannot hibernate in this area, unsafe. Systems not yet fully active. Previous Units 0042 and 0043 remain in area scouting for further viable subjects not recorded in memory banks and are unable to provide assistance at this time to allow safe hibernation.'
Sky's mind slipped away at that, her last though as if she was heading into a deep sleep, which in essence, she was.
"System online. Host body fully functional, no significant damage to report, minor bruising and fatigue to report. Causes: Fall of approximately five feet from standing. Exhaustion of energy reserves" Sky said, as her mind finally went under.
"Unit Designation 1000 Sky, Prototype Systems Active. Conduct further testing of body control, retreat to safe haven and run overnight hibernation and repair protocols." A voice only Unit Designation 1000 Sky could hear ordered.
"Confirmed. Safe haven detected, identification, 'Apartment'. Unit's prior operating system designated this safe haven as a home base."
"Information logged. Scan safe haven for further valuable data and consult archives for potential targets."
***
Sara sighed as she walked into the hairdressers, and left her bag in the staffroom. She was almost always the first one in, and the Weavile was sure she was going to be waiting on her co-worker. Sky worked too hard and took too many shifts. She was going to exhaust herself.
...Speak of the devil. There was the workaholic herself, standing in the staffroom. Unusual. She usually came in just on time.
"Hey, Sky. You're early."
Sky did not respond, but merely stood staring.
"...Sky? Is something wrong?"
Sara walked closer to her colleague, only for the Pidgeot to raise a hand and prod her in the forehead.
"Ow! What kind of prank is that?!" Sara wondered aloud.
'System initiating. Partitioning previous run-data for future reference. Engaging control of body.'
Sara felt herself freezing up, and in confusion, wound up thinking Sky was speaking, and that she was replying.
'Sky, what's that supposed to mean? When did you start thinking you were a computer?'
Her eyes spiralled towards oblivion even as the Weaville remained oblivious. She thought she wiggled her own toes and feet for a moment, but dismissed it as "Sky" spoke strangely once more.
'Testing lower digits. Testing lower joint Ankle.'
'Look, Sky, this makes no sense. It's not funny.'
Sky merely kept speaking about testing joints and digits.
'Unit Designation 1000, this action is categorised as non-humorous. Unit Designation 1001 repeats request that non-humorous be immediately curtailed and that main objectives be carried out...'
"Unit Designation 1000, this action is categorised as non-humorous. Unit Designation 1001 repeats request that non-humorous be immediately curtailed and that main objectives be carried out..."
"Error. No such actions currently underway, main objectives underway." Sky said.
"Unit Designation 1001 Sara, Prototype Systems Active. Unit is in optimum condition. Advisory to Unit: Conduct secondary verification checks on anomalous behaviour report filed for Unit 1000." A voice only they could hear said.
"Affirmative. Unit is carrying out this search and crossreferencing with runtime data of Unit 1000."
Both stood for a moment, silent.
"Unit Designation 1001 Sara confirms that previous report was issued in error due to a conflict with prior operation systems. Partition references indicate prior operation system believed actions of Unit 1000 to be an action categorised as a practical joke or prank. "
"Understood, report filed as erroneous for future reference. Command Line: Unit Designation 1001 Sara, scan partitions for further viable targets."
"Affirmative. Preliminary scans indicate viable target, unit pre-emptively designated as Unit Designation 1003 Petera. Species: Flygon. Attitude: Relaxed. Relation to unit: Identified as room-mate of prior operation system."
"Confirmation received. Command Line: Units 1000 and 1001 to engage targets within parameters. Unit 1000 is to ambush Unit Designation 1002 when target arrives for designated event known as appointment. Unit 1001 is to engage Unit Designation 1003 when unit is carrying out action designated as lounging around."
"Understood." Both said, synchronised and monotone. Unit Designation 1001 Sara left to return home, as Unit Designation 1000 Sky awaited her target.
***
In an apartment, a Flygon lazed back on the sofa. Her name was Pertra, and she wasn't even watching the television that blared nearby. It was her day off. A time to relax. A time to just switch off her thoughts and actions and just have fun on her terms.
The television was up loud, so she would not hear the door opening or the footsteps approaching. However, at the moment, the footsteps were not approaching, due to a slight problem.
"Unit Designation 1001 Sara reporting problem. Entry passage to area identified as 'apartment' is blocked to access: Door appears to be locked."
"Unit Designation 1001, study partioned elements of previous runtime, search for following data: Memory logs of 'Door'. Possible Passwords. Possible alternative entry methods and viability of such methods. "
"Understood, Scanning... "
Sara stood outside her door for a few moments, before reporting back.
"Potential alternative access identified - Fire Escape. Checking against other data."
"Unit Designation 1001, seek alternative. Entry method suggested coincides with data indicating that subjects become alarmed at this method of entry and attempt to summon law enforcement units."
"Understood. Alternative explored. Passwords. Seeking data entry terminal."
She scanned the door.
"Error, no data entry terminal visible. Attempting verbal passwords. Referencing files."
She stood stiff, and in her robotic voice, spoke a number of words, and letters.
"Error, passwords invalid for door. Seeking alternative measures."
***
Back at the Hairdressers, a customer had arrived, a Leafeon named Rosa. As she sat down in front of Sky, she was unaware that in a few moments, she would be Unit Designation 1002.
"So, Sky, still working all the shifts possible?" She asked.
Sky stood for a second.
"Querying databanks of previous archives... Confirmed. All possible designated work hours have been taken."
Rosa was a little confused.
"Oookay... So, what's with your eyes? Swirly contact lenses? Not sure I like them. That forehead decoration thing is nice though."
Sky moved forward, and pressed her forehead gently.
"Oh... Thanks, Sky. But... I don't think it really..."
***
Across town, another chip was in place. Two minds oblivious to what was about to happen, for different reasons. One half asleep, one focused on something else.
The same process repeated in each case. The robotic mind took over, the real mind never had any idea of what was happening as it was put into hibernation. The bodies of the two stood from their sitting or lounging positions as they spoke.
Two pairs of eyes now a swirling maelstrom of rainbow shades. Two faces with changed expressions, one a confused blank stare, another relaxed and vacant. Two voices, separated by distance but linked to the same controlling orders, and repeating in the same robotic monotone.
" Unit Designation 1002 Rosa awaiting orders."
"Unit Designation 1003 Petera awaiting orders."
"Unit Designations 1002 and 1003, scan partitions for further viable targets."
Two figures stood. Two same reploies
" Unit Designation 1002 Rosa reports no viable targets."
"Unit Designation 1003 Petera reports no viable targets."
"Understood. Assist Units 1000 and 1001 respectively. Command Line: Units 1000 and 1001, scan partitions for further viable targets."
" Unit Designation 1001 Sara reports viable target, unit pre-emptively designated as Unit Designation 1004 Justine. Species: Blaziken . Attitude: Displays obvious signs of attraction to Unit Designation 1001. Relation to unit: Identified as simply a friend of previous operating system."
"Understood. Seek assistance from Unit 1003 if required. Consult data banks prior to attempt, ensure all possible relevant data is loaded prior to attempt. Advisory: Utilise relationship to full advantage. Advisory: Exploit target attitude. Consult actions of previous operating system in relation to target."
Meanwhile, Sky and her new assistant Rosa were merely ordered to await the next individual to enter the establishment, even as the two other units made their way to ensnare their next target.
***
At Justine's home, Unit Designation 1001 had a plan to gain entry and capture the target.
"Justine? It is me, Sara. I would like to talk to you."
After a moment with no reply, Unit Designation 1001 doublechecked and discovered she should knock on the door. She did so, and repeated the statement.
"Wait a second, I can't hear you through the door..." Justine shouted from within. The door opened slightly, and the Blaziken was surprised to see her friend and barely-concealed crush.
"Sara? But I thought you were at work..."
"That is not the case. I must speak to you regarding a significant issue."
Justine let her in, but no earlier opportunity to strike emerged.
"Okay, so... What's so important?" Justine said, fearing the worst. Was Sara freaked out by how obvious she was? Was her friend here to tell her that even friendship wasn't possible any more?
"It is regarding our relationship..."
Justine's heart stopped.
"...I have observed that you display signs of attraction towards myself. I am here to inform you that I am willing to experiment with a potential test of a possible relationship."
Her heart hadn't restarted and her lungs felt empty.
"You... you mean..." She gasped.
"I mean that I wish to experiment to see if we would function as part of a united entity. Being together." Unit Designation 1001 said.
The target seemed to be utterly stupefied by the confession, and Unit 1001 was confident this was to be a simple successful conversion. She prepared to move in and complete the process, only for an unexpected anomaly to occur.
The Blaziken's face, once frozen with eyes and mouth open in surprise, twisted into an angry frown
"Wait a second... This is a joke, isn't it. Petera convinced you to do this! That's... not funny!"
Confusion reigned in Unit 1001. The programming, barely disguised as it was, failed to conceal its robotic nature as it replied. Databanks provided no viable answers in any case.
""Error. Actions not intended as a humorous incident. Unit was additionally not prompted to act on command of Unit Designation 1003."
Now the Blaziken looked confused.
"...What?"
This gave the Weaville ample time to consider a strategy to convince the target that there was no humour intended in the current actions, and that the message was truthful to a point. A quick scan gave an action that could allow an unseen placement of the device.
Sara moved towards Justine, and first touched her own forehead. Justine barely noticed the action, and if she had, would have forgotten all about it as Sara kissed her.
Justine remained wide eyed, and shocked. It was a dream come true, and... it felt kind of disappointing. Almost robotic...
Until Sara got deeper into it, kissing her so deeply their foreheads touched.
Justine never realised that a chip had been put backwards onto Sara's own. She hadn't even noticed the small devices. And as her mind was filled with visions of how she had dreamed of this, how she would savour this... The chip took control.
Startled eyes became spirals. A stunned body became stiff and at attention. As Unit Designation 1001 drew back from the kiss, Unit Designation 1004 was ready. Unit 1003 had been redundant on this mission, but the three units were given the order to return to the hairdressers. The only current target was shceduled to arrive in a few hours...
***
"Hi guys. Am I on time?"
Wendy was right on time for her appointment. The Lucario, however, had been noted as observant. The Units therefore knew that she may notice something amiss unless sufficiently distracted. And it appeared that Wendy had enjoyment of massages.
"Affirmative." Sky replied.
Wendy looked in confusion at the three others present. She recognised Sky, of course, and Sara, but the Blaziken and the Leafeon were new. And then a Flygon came out of the back room.
"New assistants?"
"Affirmative. They are designated as Pertra, Justine, and Rosa. They are here to assist with a massage."
"A... Massage? But I thought with Eleanor out of town there was no massages until she was back?" Wendy said, puzzled.
"Negative. These assistants are trained."
Wendy shrugged, and sat down. Soon enough, it seemed they knew their stuff, her back and feet getting attention.
"Mmm, that's nice... I'm glad you guys were hired..."
She opened her eyes from the bliss, and saw Sky place something on her forehead. She saw the same device on Sky's head, and on the heads of the Flygon and Leafeon massaging her feet.
And then she heard the voice.
'System initiating. Partitioning previous run-data for future reference. Engaging control of body.'
She had no idea what it meant, not precisely. But she was alarmed, and therefore, the first to be aware enough to resist.
"No! Whatever this is..." She cried out, and began fighting.
But not for long. The Blaziken massaging her shoulders now held her down as she tried to bolt up. And as she struggled, the two at her feet held them in place and still managed to massage them, driving relaxation into her mind.
"I can't...Feels good but... No..." She mumbled, as the robotic commands overtook her mind.
She slumped slightly, as if sleeping, and then, her eyes began to spiral. Moments later, she stood, eyes half closed, mouth open slightly. She looked half asleep until the robotic mind opened the eyes and closed the mouth, making her look more awake, until one saw her spiralling eyes that were at the same time blank of signs of life.
The other units were concenred.
"Error report: Subject, Unit Designation 1005 was capable of resisting current model of chip."
"Error Report logged. Running diagnostic of Unit 1005 to discover means of resistance... Cause found. Devices are too visible. Any self-awareness during device installation allows previous operating system to enact firewall protocols and attempt resistance. Alternative measure planning underway."
The six stood statue-still for an hour when the voice returned.
"All units. New plan of action underway. All units ordered to spend remaining time before hibernation developing new chip designs downloading in message bandwidth. Ensure devices fit specified target of neck. Consult data banks to select viable targets.
***
Overnight, the units and the new addition had built a number of new chips, designed to be attached now to the neck, and designed to be easier to modify. The whole group had remained at the hairdresses overnight, but their targets were not those with appointments the next day.
Not right away, at least.
Eleanor was feeling refreshed after her week-long break, and the Luxray was heading back into work today, unaware of what had happened to her co-workers, nor others. For instance, the strange couple she had saw boarding the train as she left, with odd eyes and headphones...
"Hey guys. I though I was early." She said in greeting to Sky and Sara. Then she spotted the others.
"...Who are they?" She asked in confusion. She knew Wendy, and Rosa, but the others were unfamiliar.
Then she saw their eyes.
"Your eyes are like that couple I passed. Why is that?"
The Blaziken had moved between her and the door. The Lucario was moving towards her as Rosa spoke.
" Units 0042 and 0043 reported observing you exiting the train seven hundred and sixty three seconds ago. You have been designated Unit 1100, though this is retroactive as currently Units 1101 to 1123 are creating further units aboard the train."
Eleanor was very confused now, and a little alarmed.
"I don't understand."
Suddenly, the Blaziken grabbed her, and the Lucario pounced. Eleanor was shocked as Wendy tried to kiss her, the embrace feeling strangely robotic and scripted. The Luxray squirmed, trying to escape the two that had her trapped, even as she felt something latch onto her neck.
"Mmmph!" She squealed, gagged by the mouth that kissed her. It was the surprise that made her resist. It was the strange actions of the others that kept her fearful mind from failing even as she heard a faint whispering noise.
'System initiating. Error, previous run data resisting. Retrying...'
"Error, subject is resisting. Manner of resistance similar to that observed by Units 0042 and 0043 against some targets." Sky reported.
'System initiating. Error, previous run data resisting. Retrying...'
"Confirmed. Seeking uplink to history of actions by Units to compare resistance factors." Sara noted.
'System initiating. Error, previous run data resisting. Retrying...'
"Units 0042 and 0043 have reported attempts at ad-hoc modifications. These modifications have been designated Unit Series 1200." Someone else spoke, as Eleanor heard the voice repeat once more.
"Modifications cannot be carried out to chip in progress. Removal of chip in progress impossible until complete failure of installation." Rosa proclaimed.
"History Downloaded, viewing recordings from Units 0042 and 0043 for comparisons."
***
On the train, Unit 0042 and Unit 0043 had only one precise target - The driver. She was a female Rapidash, Unit 1101, and quickly went under, her mind too focused on her job to the point she never heard the stealthy pair enter the driver's compartment.
In the same carriage, a pair of females, a younger Houndour and her Houndoom mother, had ignored the pair. They however, upon being added to the hive mind, had caused the other pasengers, a male Charizard and a male Bayleef, to panic. The four Units that could act had quickly grabbed them, but the pair had resisted. It had taken nearly five minutes of struggling before they had surrendered.
"Potential error. Alerted or otherwise startled subjects capable of stronger resistance. Advisory: New units to proceed caustiously with original 1100 series chips as Units 0042 and 0043 amend and alter power levels."
This had taken five minutes, and the next carriage. It was fuller, and a further fifteen had been enslaved stealthily. Two had tried to flee to the next carriage, but had been caught by the new mass of slaves and held in place as the 1200 series chips were planted.
Soon, the female Dragonite and male Jolteon that had tried to flee became just another two parts in the hive.
***
Eleanor's mind had crumbled away, and she was now all but gone, just another part of the gestalt entity. At this point, the Units were surprised by the entry of an unidentified Articuno.
"What were you doing to her?"
"Error. The query is misunderstood." Unit 1004 said as she tried to grab the intruder. For her troubles, Justine was shoved out of the way.
"Back off! You understood what I said. Answer me!"
Eleanor was now entirely under, her eyes glowing purple.
"Warning. Udentified subject showing signs of aggression. Advise neutralisation." Rosa noted.
'Command Action: Stun unidentified subject, study current runtime. Modify to Series 1300 chips, attempt to customise for subject's likely qualities upon awakening.' Came the command.
Aurora did not hear it. She only heard the threat from Rosa. She turned to face Unit 1002.
"Neutralise me? Give it your best sho-"
She never knew what hit her. The woman she had been coming to the "rescue" of knew the right point to punch to induce a relatively risk-free state of unconsciousness for a lengthy period of time. Of course, given the nature of the chip, their diagnostic would have to carefully scan for serious injury inflicted as a precaution.
***
Back aboard the train as it reached the terminus an hour later, all potential units aboard or having boarded had become a designation from 1101 to 1131, or from 1200 to 1223 if they had been alerted too early. It had been hoped by the hive mind that the 1200 series would be strong enough, but further upgrades were clearly needed, and the units aboard the train did not have the time to properly make modifications. As a result, they were ordered simply to leave the terminus station and await further orders and for the results of another test.
The 1300 series chip was to be ready for testing five minutes after the large group had confused other passengers leaving together, and had alarmed the station staff who realised a train had been abandoned at the platform.
"Ugh..." Aurora groaned, as across the city, there was a sudden and lengthy series of delays now starting to propagate down the line upon which a train had been abandoned for seemingly no reason.
"Subject Aurora is awake. Commencing conversion to Unit 1300." A monotone voice reported.
"What the..."
Aurora knew what had hit her this time.
'System initiating. Partitioning previous run-data for future reference. Engaging control of body.'
She was set to struggle. Set to fight it. But then, she fell to her knees, and found her hands moving to her lap. Her wings were folding, and she knew quite simply that she wasn't doing this. She was losing control. She sat there, hearing the voice try again and again to beat her mind. She knew as it went on that one thing was certain.
Her mind would tire first. Resistance was going to just delay the inevitable.
She would succumb. Ultimately, she would hear the report from the Hive Mind to all units. And so, she made the choice to stop fighting. Or maybe the influence of the hive mind made the choice for her. Either way, her last thoughts were of despair and sorrow.
'I'm sorry, Daniel.' She apologised in her mind, shortly before it went into hibernation.
She then heard the orders with the rest, as Unit 1300 stood from where it knelt.
'All Units. Advisory. Increased strength series of chips is to be manufactured. 1100, 1200, and 1300 series, though better concealed, appear to function best when subject is unaware or relaxed. Even increased strength of installation risks failure upon alert subjects. To that end, 1400 series will increased overall strength but current orders are to exercise caution when placing devices at this moment. '
The group worked. The group completed the device a mere half hour later, based upon the 1300 series, but amplifed tenfold. Even alert subjects resisted for only a few moments at most, and the Hive Mind, upon adding 25 examples of 1400 series units, had decided that it would be the best series for the moment.
And so, Eleanor, Unit Designation 1100, was given her orders for her first target, Unit 14xx. She was to await the arrival of her target before a full designation would be given, for others were being made and designated.
The target was a Mighteyena named Ashley. A customer scheduled to arrive very soon. She was to join the many, and her own circle of friends would soon join her and the others. She was running slightly late for her appointment, but Unit 1100 knew from other reports that transport in the city as a whole was somewhat slowing down thanks to the rail delays.
But that was not a worry. Others were being made. Others were being designated. And the Units were spreading their influence wider and wider, claiming the city for the hive.