Rain Harlow
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Chapter 28
🕑 Added 2025-04-17 15:00:18 +0000 UTCChapter 28: An Expected Unlocking
Jack learned quite a bit — in a conceptual sense — working with Lindsay/Jill on his powers in her conjured mutual ‘mind space.’ He obtained numerous examples and templates of how his powers would function and operate when fully functional, essentially ‘where he’d be’ if not yet ‘where he was.’ Under The Hood Intuitions that he could bridge through as he developed; injected future Deja Vu.
They indeed built a rollercoaster rising from the dirt of the colosseum — though not a life-sized one with the material they began with, they did make a functioning car to ride it, and with mannequins no less. Jill had him drive it repeatedly through the paces simultaneously with other manipulations, enough that he could do it almost subconsciously. She related that this sort of thing would help him with his inevitable need for multitasking as a Controller.
They shifted from loftier tasks to the simpler and smaller scale things he was already working on — concentrating the initial cloud of memorite down into useful shapes. This was essentially child’s play in the psychic realm, even with Lindsay restricting his available mass. He could make disks, balls, cords, blades, whatever, without much trouble, all bridging through his tutor’s expertise and control.
While he was making multiple knives dance around in the air, he offered, “I’m guessing you’ve worked with other metal users, eh? Other than Memoria herself.”
Jill regarded him with a guarded expression, but nodded. “Yes, but I’m afraid any details are classified on that subject.”
That’s that, I guess.
At some point, Jack was zoning out in his utilization of the dream-like freedom, and Jill called the session over with on a dime. Transition out of it was straight-forward. He felt the heat come on again, a tremendous flare in his head that quickly cooled. In an instant he was back in his body holding hands with Lindsay and just catching himself from flopping to the grass sideways.
Lindsay, on the other hand, shot up to her feet and immediately started running off. She turned around some distance away, ponytail whipping at her face, to look back while wearing a taunting grin. Jogging backwards, she said, “What are you waiting for, slowpoke? Time to run! How about a sprint to start us off? Last one to the fountain is a rotten cucumber!” She spun back around and began sprinting hard. “And buys treats tomorrow!”
Jack, scrambling to his feet to follow, called, “Hey, that isn’t fair, damn it! I haven’t agreed!”
He pushed as hard as he could, running faster than he had in ages — likely since his basic training days, what felt a lifetime ago. So he sprinted, so he huffed and puffed, so he ran like the wind…
It was never even close.
“Rotten Cucumber,” Lindsay offered from her seat at the stone fountain, arms propped behind her, legs crossed and slightly dangling, “Fancy meeting you here!” Despite her self-congratulatory tone and demeanor, she was at least breathing heavily and had a sheen of sweat on her skin.
“Shut up,” Jack managed as he plopped down right on the paved stone ground of the area immediate to the fountain. He lay down spread-eagled, panting, his chest hurting from the effort. All he cared about right then was air. Sweet, sweet air.
“I know this nice, expensive place to get desserts for us tomorrow — I’m sure you’re good for it!”
“I never agreed!”
“Don’t be a spoiled sport, Jack. You did agree by sprinting for your life after me. Good thing my life didn’t depend on it!” She tittered. “Anyway, it was enough to make me sweat for it. Are you really going to deny me my spoils?”
Jack sighed. She’s backed me into a corner. “I hate you.”
Lindsay scoffed. “As if. You love me. Everyone loves me! I’m nothing but lovable.”
“Sugar and spice and everything nice,” Jack declared sarcastically.
“Precisely.”
“Except, of course, when you’re being the most gigantic brat in the world.”
“The world’s most lovable brat!”
“Psh.” Jack left the matter, spending some time sucking in breath while staring up at the beautiful, false sky. It no longer seemed too bright. “How is your lil’ ole self so fast, anyway?”
“Fast for what? A homo sapien? I’m not fast, Jack, not really. You’re just slow. Want to hear the good news?”
“Boy, do I.”
“You’ll get fitter. Faster. Fat will shed, and powerful muscles will grow. Your strides will eat latitude and longitude for breakfast. At some point, you’ll give me a run for my money. At some point beyond that, you’ll leave me in your dust — that is, so long as you dedicate yourself to it. Push yourself. Strive.”
Jack couldn’t help but fantasize about beating her right then. He turned his head to meet her eyes. “I’m going to gloat on you so hard.”
She leaned forward on her knees and raised her brow. “Oh yeah? We’ll see about that, hotshot. You’ve got a long way to go.”
“Like I don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Does it matter?”
Jack dropped his head back again and blinked up at the sky. It really doesn’t. If she’s going to keep benchmarking me with this, I’m gonna fraggin' burn to beat her. She wins either way, only losing if I don’t play. But then we both lose, right? Eh. Not an option.
Lindsay hopped up and stood over him. “Come on, champ — let’s settle in with a good, long jog, now.” She offered her hand to help him up.
Jack took her hand and quipped, “What, a marathon race for dinner?”
Lindsay chuckled and patted his shoulder after helping him up to his feet. “No contest. We’ll run together. You set the pace.”
After getting some water at the convenient drinking fountain structure nearby, they set off for a jog down a paved trail winding through the wilderness. The trail was quite long and very quiet, through lots of forest interspersed with glades, ponds, and at one point, it hugged the lake. Despite being inside the tower, there was some wildlife in evidence. On the other hand, he didn’t see any songbirds. Squirrels and ducks were all he caught sight of. It was a pleasant experience overall. Of other people present, they waved to a few joggers on the way, saw a couple having a picnic, and a student studying under a tree.
It feels so exclusive. Reminds me of Eden. More orderly, though.
They ran for a long spell, and though Jack was still somewhat drained from the sprint, he actually recovered while jogging, slowly but surely. After twenty straight minutes, he was a hundred percent confident he could jog indefinitely. It felt good, too, instead of being the pure misery of hell that he expected. It was like his body was waiting for it.
I have an engine inside me and the fuel to run it! Huzzah!
Lindsay cut her participation short when she got an urgent communication from the brass and had to rush off. “You did great today, Jack,” she called as she hurried off. “Arrange for your steak again tonight while it's reasonably fresh! If I can’t meet you, just have my cut sent to me! The meat only is fine!”
Jack rolled his eyes as he watched her bound away. Some emergency, yet she’s still thinking about her precious taste buds. Unbelievable.
In seeming answer, though, Jack’s own stomach rumbled. Well, he’d certainly worked up an appetite.
Despite this, Jack ran a little bit longer, figuring he could probably use some fat-burning, whatever he was told. He brought the pace up until he began to sweat. It didn’t take long before his hunger became unbearable, though.
He went back to his room and shoved cold pizza in his mouth like a starving man. In between eating, he took a quick shower and changed. Not long after, he was finishing off the pizza — re-toasted — in combo with assorted junk food as sides.
So much for fat burning — but I can’t resist!
While sitting on the couch, he got a sudden surprise alert in his head.
<Your ability “Bondsmate Rapport” is unlocked and fully functional.>
Neex!
He could sense where she was immediately — somewhere below, likely deep in the tower structure in some restricted access facility of the Mems. She was ‘only’ a few kilometers away.
Before he could muster much of a reaction, Neex effectively glomped him mentally, bursting through their interface link with bubbly glee. “Jack!” Her voice in his head was like a bouquet of flowers suddenly thrust into his face. “Finally! Hurray!” The feel of laughter punctuated this.
“Neex!” Jack exclaimed in return, soon laughing himself. He’d also rather pointlessly shot to his feet without realizing it. “Hurrah! It’s so good to hear your voice!”
“Your authentically warm reception makes me extra happy,” Neex replied, the feel of a smile saturating her words. “I missed you, too.”
“Heh. Yeah. So, you must be doing okay, then? How are they treating you, what are they doing?”
“I am treated quite well in my submission to humanity’s authorities!” The cheerfulness with which she delivered this line was almost jarring. “Everything is even better than expected, Jack. They were very cautious at first, mindful of potential pathogen transfers. They did prioritize some existing specialty vaccine which may now become standard for you all, and certainly for any in contact with us. It is no danger to Champions, of course. I was very surprised to hear humans aren’t carriers of this virus. For us, it is ubiquitous and benign. In any case! Memoria and her servants will assuredly get that sorted. The probability of anyone contracting it is very low, but nonetheless statistically relevant.”
“I see.” He was somewhat worried about his uncle at that point, but what she said was true: they’d do their due diligence in handling all who’d been in contact. “You’re comfortable, though? You have a room, access to saltwater, and so forth?”
“Oh yes! It’s more extravagant than I expected. I expected more of a cell, but these are truthfully akin to an honored guest’s quarters. A lounge area, a kitchen, food stored in wood — and I have a well-oxygenated, deep, dark pool to submerge in! It even has oceanic rock emulations at the bottom! Memoria is so thoughtful!”
Jack wasn’t sure how to feel about it. “Can you come and go freely?”
Neex seemed shocked by the question. “Of course not, Jack. After examination, DNA sampling, blood-taking, and questioning, I had to be secured in quarantine. This is all expected procedure.”
A terrarium-aquarium with the prey kept nice and cozy. Ain’t it grand? He annoyed himself with the somewhat errant thought. He was probably just paranoid for her. No surprise with his various mixed feelings when it came to Memoria.
Neex seemed to sense his reservation. Some sort of ‘comforting vibes’ pulsed through the interface. Soothing brain vibrations. Jack was shocked to realize what it reminded him of: a purr. Neex’s voice was equally soothing as she said, “Don’t worry, Bondsmate Jack Laker. I am supremely optimistic about the friendship between Quallakuloth and Memoria, as well as the future friendship of their peoples. Let humanity retake all above the waters, and we shall govern all that is below, in balance.”
Hmm. I suppose that’s what it's all about, isn’t it? “Conquest, eh?”
Neex was quiet for a moment. Solemn. “Survival. We are stronger together, much as you and I have proven in microcosm. But not all can co-exist. You, as a son of mankind, already know this well, am I correct?”
“It does seem pretty obvious, yes.”
“You are made to be a warrior, Jack Laker. I am made to facilitate a warrior. And so — if all continues to proceed well — we’ll war together.”
“I don’t particularly want that for you.”
“Why?”
Jack didn’t particularly want to answer that, either — nor was he sure that he could. He changed the subject. “Are your people in trouble, Neex?”
She was quiet again, seemingly tightening up. “I am sorry, but I cannot discuss our immediate affairs yet. Quallakuloth desires an alliance. The mutual benefit is extreme. I am sure you will come to know more in the near future, Jack.”
An Archon answer — but which one? Both? “Alright. You know, I got some inkling of the reality of this arrangement when I saw this ability, ‘Vindicator.’ It just doesn’t seem like you. But I guess my vision of your people is myopic with just you as an example.”
“One can see some hints of our violent history in those abilities, yes. ‘Vindicator’ may be more awkward for me and my nature. You could say that it is there in provision by Quallakuloth through me — primarily for those such as you. You are my vindicator.”
“Well, I do like the sound of that.”
“Good!”
“You are, after all, a pure and perfect ideal angel to protect absolutely.”
Neex was taken aback and ambushed by this, freezing up. “Wh-what?!”
“There’s no point in denying it: your cuteness and preciousness are plainly transcendent.”
Neex’s voice was a near-strangled whisper as she exclaimed, “Stop, stop, stop! That’s embarrassing to just declare like that!”
Jack chuckled. “I’m teasing, sorry.”
“Mmph.” After whimpering, she took a moment to collect herself, then said, “Well, how are you doing in your life, Jack? Are you developing quickly?”
“Hmm. Hard to say. It is a hell of a lot to get used to. I’m just getting a feel for things. My appetite is… frightening. Apparently, I have years of resource cramming to make up for.”
“That is fascinating! I didn’t think about such a thing, but it makes a great deal of sense. Allotment is best granted early in adulthood, and one slowly growing it and growing up with it, so that its use becomes second-nature and intuitive. Resources are similarly tiered. You’ve missed it all and have to catch up.”
“That’s what they tell me. Alright, I gotta ask, Neex: how old are you?”
“I am a mature adult.” The statement had the slightest twinge of petulance, as if Jack might think otherwise. “I told you this already.”
“Is it impolite to ask your age?”
A sigh translated. “No. But it is complicated. Deucalians live similar lengths to natural human lifespans, yet mature faster due to ancient, tailored genetic modification. As a Banarotha — what you call Champion — I’ll live much longer. There have been twenty-nine Earth rotations since my final name day, which signifies physical maturity at somewhere between seven and eight rotations. It moreover marks the beginning of our first career path. I attained my right to adulthood with the completion of the general scensoa path, with honors, before name day six.”
Jack marveled as he worked it out. “You’re like, thirty-six, thirty-seven?!”
“Thirty-six, yes. Why do you ask it like that?!”
Jack exhaled and shook his head. “I couldn’t place your age, being so different, but you seem younger than that.”
“My aging is slowed to almost nothing for many decades yet. I believe humans stop growing somewhere between seventeen and twenty-two Earth rotations? That is the equivalent, with me somewhere in the middle, I suppose.”
“So once again, someone technically older, yet physically younger than me. Damn it!”
Neex was puzzled. “I really fail to see the relevance, Jack. Yes, Champions are tailored to make use of prime maturity for as long as possible. Deucalian Banarotha are the extreme of the extreme, but you, too, will barely age from this point for a long time to come. You might be late, but the difference is fairly minuscule.”
“Yeah, forget it. You’re right. I’m being dumb.”
“I am nonetheless very curious as to the root cause of your distress?”
Jack took a deep breath and considered it. He took a seat again on the couch and sipped some jet fuel. So refreshing! “It’s a weird dichotomy. I feel older than you and another person I met recently, yet I’m not. And then, in terms of actual youthfulness and health of the body, you’re younger! Eh. Frag me, it makes even less sense when I try to explain it.”
“Interesting. Thank you for trying anyway, Jack. If it makes you feel any better, you can continue to think of yourself as older. Mmn? Or younger. Whichever you’re saying you prefer. I’m unsure.”
Jack laughed and shook his head. “Me too. You kindly forgetting it entirely is my preference.”
“I will try.” After a pause, she seemed to bubble with more curiosity. “Jack, may I ask what ‘frag’ means? It’s an expletive, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Just a word we use to curse or add more emphasis… to whatever.”
“Does it have a root meaning? I’m thinking it must refer to ‘fragmentation.’ As is, from ordinance?”
“Yep.” Jack was short on the explanation, not particularly wanting to get into the other insinuations the word had taken on.
“Excellent! Thank you, Jack.”
“Well, it made my night chatting with you, Neex. Let’s continue to keep in touch and let each other know how our day went.”
“Of course.” Neex seemed hesitant, even guarded. “If you’re sure, Jack?”
“Hmm?”
“I should warn you that such a routine will build up ‘Bondsmate Rapport?’ It gets stronger with frequent use.”
Jack’s brows furrowed. “Why is that a warning?”
“I-it’s just… You were hesitant about this arrangement in the beginning, asked whether it was appropriate, what the dangers were? I fear I may have been too eager and insistent then in favoring the self-beneficial results. I don’t want you to feel pressured. And the communication potential will be amplified. More intentions, thoughts, and emotions bleeding through. It can be controlled, but you’ll need practice to restrict it conclusively.”
“Ah. Well, thank you for being considerate, but I knew what I was getting into and accepted it. You gave me superpowers, Neex. Effectively. And it was just the tip of the iceberg! Anyway, we’ll cross those bridges when we get to them. I don’t consider this connection or you a burden, Neex. I’d be your friend without it, and here I am your friend with it. We’re in this together, and I want to continue interfacing with you. Best believe it, Octogirl!”
Warm feelings translated through — a smile and the curling of tentacles. A bit of relief. “Octogirl! That is amusing. Mmn. Very well, Jack! I am supremely happy to continue bonding with you. We’ll speak again soon. Bye-bye!” Somehow, she created the image of two tentacles forming a heart sign. “No Death!”
Jack smiled at the image and the sheer oddity of their familiar ‘farewell.’ He supposed it would live on in infamy. “Bye-bye, Neex. No Death, indeed.”
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Comments
Rain Harlow
She is indeed a brat 😅
Al
Getting fleeced by his trainer is interesting
Rain Harlow
Thank you so much for this comment! Really great to hear he landed for you. I enjoy writing him, for sure. 😁
Danielle Warvel
They are so cute. And Jake is such a nerdy goofball I just can’t. The balance of kindness, humor, cynicism, and personableness is so endearing, I would totally want to be his friend in real life. I can say without hesitation that his personality is my favorite out of all of the mcs I’ve read in the last year, if not more. He’s great! A real character by any definition!👍
