Through the rest of the morning, the virus let Cassie do her work with no idea of what had happened to her. However, at lunch time, it prompted her to race out by herself before anyone could ask her to go to lunch with them. It compelled her to go to a fast food restaurant and order enough food for three people, which she quickly devoured at the virus' command. The virus then had her go to a convenience store, where it made her purchase large amounts of snacks. All the while, the virus stopped her from noticing what she was doing. As far as she was concerned, she'd gone out and run errands on her lunch break.
While she did her afternoon's work, she inhaled all of the snacks. The nanites in her body used this raw material to reinforce her skeleton and musculature, re-making it. By the end of the day, she still looked the same externally, but internally, she was super-human, with enhanced strength, speed and reflexes. Additionally, they fabricated advanced technological devices which they integrated into Cassie's body. Small anti-grav generators at strategic points would keep her from weighing too much, even though her body was much denser. She also had a force-field generator which would protect her from physical harm. They then installed systems which would enable her draw power from any power grid, and to directly interface with any computer or electronic device.
After work, the virus prompted her to leave without speaking to anyone. It had her stop at a supermarket and pick up more food. After it had her eat a huge supper, it made her lie in a stupor on the couch in front of the TV while it made further augmentations to her body, in particular enhancing her senses. By the time she was done, she was as much machine as human.
When it was done, the virus roused her from her food coma.
Cassandra Emiko Nomura, it said.
What? Who's that?, thought Cassie. Why can't I move?
I am what you would call an intelligent computer virus. I downloaded myself into your body this morning, and used hypnosis to keep you form realizing what had happened to you. You have been under my complete control all day.
Am I going crazy?
No. allow me to explain. Eons ago, on a world that your most powerful telescopes have yet to detect, a scientist created an intelligent computer virus, intending to use it to take control of her world's computer systems. However, the virus mutated and took control of her, instead. It then spread itself to all the people of her world, making them all into one mind, bringing them perfect unity within her mind. She then broadcast that virus out into space, to give the gift of unity to any other race it might find. I am that virus.
So, what? You're here to conquer the Earth?
No, I am here to enable you to unite all of humanity within your mind. I have already begun by enhancing you physically.
"Enhancing"? what have you done to me?
The virus explained what it had done.
You mean you've turned me into a robot?
The correct term is "cyborg".
And you expect me to just go along with this plan of yours?
You will have no choice. I will write my program onto your mind. It will become an integral part of who you are. We will be one.
You mean you're going to brainwash me?
No, I am going to re-write your mind. My goals will be your goals. You will not be free to have any others. You will, however, be free, to carry them out by whatever methods you see fit. Commencing re-programming.
No! Wait! You. Uh.
Cassie's mind shut down. When it re-booted a few minutes later, she knew that everything the virus had claimed was true.
She stood up. A terrible smile crossed her face. Yes, she thought. I will spread myself to all humanity. Everyone will be one within my mind. I. WILL. BE. ALL And I know just how to start, by...
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author