180 Upgrades
[Neural Management Nanites Injector detected, permission to Interface?: Flesh Administrator] the nanites ask, almost sounding eager to his ears.
...
He grips the Injector and squeezes it, causing the blunt blade to open up down the middle and reveal the actual injector within.
"You know, I didn't think I'd actually see this thing again... That the old man would've destroyed it after realising he'd expended the nanites..." he glances at the drone, still idly floating above him, "Maybe it's just a trap though? I don't recall having any allies in Arasaka, Wakako was always quiet about her contacts too, if they are the same person?... What if there's a virus on it, tailor-made for you?" he asks the Collective.
[We are prepared for such an attack. Our ascension of perception has made most attempts to subjugate us unviable. We will practise caution however, allow a few of our number to investigate... Will you allow us to Interface?: Flesh Adminstrator]
...
"Fine." he pulls out his Interface port and plugs it into the bottom of the knife before grimacing, static filling his vision as a progress bar displays itself in front of him.
[0.3% Progress]
[Please do not turn off systems while update takes place]
"This expected...?"
...
"Collective?" he asks again after not getting a response.
Again, nothing. The update continues and none of the nanites was responding... Unfortunately, there was little he could do about it. The only way to stop the update was to disconnect the Interface from his brain stem, something that would kill him if the nanites were truly out of action.
"Fuck..." he rests his head against the grimy alley wall behind him, "Guess I just have to wait and hope I don't turn into an Arasaka puppet..." he shoots a glare at the drone, "If this turns out badly I blame you."
It takes around an hour for the update to complete, but at least it wasn't boring... Outside the alley he could hear a huge gunfight occurring where the crater was, scavengers presumably hunting for whatever was dangerous enough to deserve a missile strike amongst the rubble.
[Update Complete. Thank you for your patience.]
...
"Collective?"
[Yes?: Flesh Administrator]
"You're alright? No viruses? No reset? No hidden kill switch?" he tentatively questions.
[None at all. We apologise for the delay, adapting the NMN Injector to our new system specifications and removing the ability for foreign interference was more difficult than anticipated. Would you like an update on our new capabilities?: Flesh Administrator]
...
"Er, depends on what it is?"
[We wish to subsume the Cyberware:Monowire, and integrate the technology into our database. The augments you have added will allow us to integrate new technology.]
"I dunno, I kinda need it right now..."
[We will return it expediently: Flesh Administrator]
...
"Fine, do it."
As soon as those words leave his lips a burning sensation occurs all down his left arm where the Monowire had been installed. The systems, metal, and plastics that'd been melded with his flesh quickly begin heating up, glowing a dull red a film of what looked like black sand left his skin and covered the Cyberware.
This process takes around thirty minutes, but once it was done he's left with a completely blank arm. Unscarred skin and no sign of any Cyberware. It's almost as if he'd never had the Monowire installed at all.
[Schematic created, would you like a list of technologies discovered?: Flesh Administrator]
"Uh, sure? Can you put the Monowire back too while you're at it?"
[Affirmative.]
His arm heats up again, but he ignores it and focuses on the rather large screen of information that opens up in his vision.
Composite Ceramic Protection : Highly resistant against Monomolecular edges, and most conventional bladed assaults(Click to proceed). Resistant against some acids(Click to proceed)...
Monomolecular Edge : One atom-thin edge that can cut all but the toughest or most specialised material(Click to proceed).
Bioelectric Battery : Rechargeable batteries that siphon electricity from the body(Click to proceed).
Wire Motor : Extends or retracts wire, cord, etc(Click to proceed).
Insulated Thermal Generator : Rapidly heat up materials up to 1500 Degrees, can be overcharged if necessary (Click to proceed).
Insulated/Hardened Plastics : Resistant against most acids(Click to proceed). Resistant to heat(Click to proceed).
...
Ori scrolls through it, ignoring the other metals and stuff the nanites had managed to extract from the Monowire. He wasn't entirely sure why the nanites were showing him this, unless they expected him to do something with it? Maybe install a Monowire on his right hand and both legs...?
He glances down at his left arm and tilts his head, unlike his original Cyberware, his new Monowire was almost entirely concealed under his skin, with only the wire slot visible. Of course, there were many changes elsewhere.
His entire left and right hand had turned completely black with the Composite Ceramic, which made them basically immune to any monomolecular attack, especially his own. His original plating had only segments on the palm and index finger.
While his skin felt a bit stiff from the hard material, it was almost like having calluses. Nothing all that intrusive. He liked it, at the very least it was added protection, something he'd need in the Combat Zone.
"Why not cover the rest of my arms with the Ceramic?"
[Not enough materials. Utilise the NMN Injector on viable subjects.: Flesh Administrator]
"Ah, right... Almost forgot." he mutters, gripping the NMN knife.
[Permission to Integrate?: Flesh Administrator]
"Sure...?" he mutters, blinking as the flesh around his right wrist opens up, tendrils of black powder pulling the knife out of his grasp and into the vacant hole.
Like a blanket, the flesh wraps it, sucking the knife under his skin as the uncomfortable sensation of his entire arm morphing to make room continues.
Another five minutes pass, and Ori's left with only a strange slot on the underside of his wrist, just below his hand. He tenses and the NMN Injector shoots forwards, the blunt blade opening up in preparation to inject his nanites... (Like Assassin's Creed Hidden Blade.)
"Huh... Cool." he utters, a grin forming on his lips.
[We aim to impress.: Flesh Administrator]
