Story: Drone Metastasis Chapter Six

Drone Metastasis Chapter Six

Consciousness returned slowly, accompanied by a soothing display playing over her eyes. Puffy, white clouds floated in an infinite blue sky.

There was a hissing in her ears that calmed her, making her feel as if she was floating. She lazily watched the heavily forested landscape as it drifted past.

Her legs jolted as the chair she was strapped to rose from the bottom of the tank she had been resting in. A gurgling and swishing noise from above signaled that her restful sojourn was almost over.

She shuddered as her body lifted out of the liquid, her skin protesting as it was exposed to cooler air. She gave a low moan around the gag plugging her mouth, annoyed that she had been removed from her comfortable womb-like tank.

She tried to move, but her arms were still secured to the chair back. A soft touch along her collar bone stilled her motions, and she shuddered as fingers trailed over her shoulders.

The soothing display in her mask intensified, seizing her thoughts and guiding them down more useful paths. Everything was as it should be. She was prepped for Installation.

She wanted it so badly. To be joined to Hive. To be with Hive.

The eye symbol fixed in the center of her vision stared at her. Saw all parts of her. She just knew that it was Hive looking at her, judging her. Wanting her.

She was prepared.

Something hot and hard pressed again her chest, against her breastbone. A searing pain accompanied the hard pressure, and her body vibrated in pain.

She chewed on the gag and watched the eye. Pain was nothing in service to Hive. Being a Drone was everything. She was a Drone.

The mantra brought her through the agony, and soon the pain subsided. She breathed more regularly, her body slowly calming. She could feel something rigid and hard on her chest. Something had been embedded into her.

She shuddered, thighs tingling. Hive had branded her in some fashion. Made her its slave. She was a Drone.

There came a hissing sound and the bulb gag inside her mouth deflated. The dancing colors on the screen went dark. The ache from her chest returned, but not as severe as before.

Hands were on her head, torquing the helmet she wore upwards. The rubber slipped from around her neck and head, leaving slick, sweaty skin behind. The gag popped out of her mouth and she blinked dumbly in the bright light, vague shadows dancing around her in perfect synchronization.

"Hello, Q-Three," said a velvet voice. "You're looking quite stunning."

The shadow woman brushed a hand over Zoe's oiled skin, pausing to gently cup one of her breasts to give it a soft squeeze. "You are very close to experiencing everything Hive has to offer. Are you ready?"

Zoe worked her stiff lips. "Yes, Mistress. This Drone is ready."

The Drone chuckled. "I rather think our roles will be reversed soon, but I’ll leave that up to Her."

Two other Drones moved semi-circular rigid metal pieces down from above, fixing them around Zoe’s neck. They locked together with a click, holding her head in place. The first Drone ran her fingers down Zoe’s chest, then stood back. "Welcome to the Hive," she said with finality.

An articulated metal arm with a bulbous tip swiveled in from above. The tip had a large, blue orb on the end, with a circular black marble suspended in the center, making it look like a primitive eye.

As it swung closer, Zoe understood what it meant to do. It wanted to stick that orb inside her mouth and Install it inside her. To link her permanently to Hive. There would be no turning back after that. She would be a Drone for always and ever.

She cranked her mouth open and waited passively. She wanted to be Installed so badly. To join with Hive in perfect harmony.

The tentacle curved, shoving the globe past her lips. She almost choked on its girth, but waited patiently for it to finish its job.

A sharp jab at the back of her upper throat, and she was in ecstasy. Her consciousness ascended from her corporeal body, expanding to encompass the bright lights of nearby Drone minds. She could feel each one individually, tasting their thoughts.

She dipped inside the brain of the Drone standing in front of her, catching a glimpse of her bound body. The tentacle was slipping out of her mouth, leaving its cargo behind, the shiny blue ball embedded in the back of her throat.

It pulsed gently inside her mouth, glowing that unearthly color. Installed so deeply it could not be removed.

Her eyes flicked to her chest, spotting an oval aquamarine gem that had been embedded right above the curve of her breasts, taking pride of place in the center of a sea of blue skin. She could get lost in the shiny facets of its surface, but she had too much she wanted to explore.

Taking in her body as a whole, she gasped. Her time in the tank had remade her skin, smoothing out her features and coloring her a dark blue. All blemishes had been removed, her breasts perfect orbs. A vision of feminine beauty.

She looked perfect. She had been Converted. She was Hive.

***

G-Fifty Seven stood at attention in front of the fortress gatehouse, watching the bridge over the drawbridge with perfect clarity. He breathed deeply, savoring the gas that flooded the interior of his helmet.

In his hands he clutched his gas projector. Similar in shape to a flamethrower, a hose attached to the rear connected to the chrome tanks on his back. The weapon was capable of aerosolizing the gas and shooting it up to fifty feet, making it easy to hose down any attackers. Those not used to the effects of the gas would find themselves becoming very sleepy and suggestible, easy prey for the other guards.

He had been ordered to watch the entrance and detain any intruders by the Queen of this castle, and he obeyed her implicitly. It was his sacred duty to defend her from any harm. His Queen would help Hive to grow, and he would prevent anyone from stopping her plans.

He was not alone in this task. Many other guards were scattered around the perimeter, taking up positions in their sleek, black outfits. He knew there were more on the walls and in the towers as well, hidden away. If he found a threat, they would act as one to neutralize it.

Not that there had been too much resistance so far. This section of the lobby world was being swiftly conquered by Hive. New slaves were being brought in every day, subjected to heavy brainwashing and body alteration.

The physical changes wouldn’t carry through to real life, but the mental changes were permanent. Drones processed here would soon seek out a proper facility to continue their conversion once they left VR.

Everything was proceeding as planned by his Mistress.

Any concerns he had previously entertained had been removed. To become a Hive Drone was proper and just. All must see the truth and know the pleasure of obeying.

He scanned the horizon, watching the Drones go about their work. The fortress had originally been styled as a medieval castle, made out of quarried stone by friends and others associated with his guild, but that was slowly changing. Block by block, the stone was being swapped out with solid aquamarine blocks.

Gathering the rare gems was usually a feat in and of itself - crafting blocks and making a building out of them was considered the height of opulence. That Hive had the manpower to send to fetch the raw materials was a statement of strength in and of itself.

Only one of the towers had been completed, but this had been achieved in less than a day. The new fortress was shaping up to be awe inspiring.

At the end of the bridge a large pavilion had been built by the Drones, a pathway circling around a towering pillar of marble constructed in the center of a fountain. Topping the fifty foot tall tower was a gigantic blue globe that sparkled in the light of the artificial midday sun.

Anyone who was not a Drone who peered at its glimmering surface would find their mind caught as if in a sticky trap. They would be unable to move. Unable to think, until the guards arrived to take them away to be converted. He had seen a few players captured and changed by the globe. It was a symbol of Hive’s dominance.

Symbols were excellent targets for rebels, which was yet another reason why he needed to be vigilant. Nothing had happened in the last few hours, but he had caught at least one group attempting to destroy the globe while wearing blindfolds. They had been quickly swarmed, gassed, and taken away. Some of the former adventurers were now guarding the globe, dressed in black rubber suits identical to his.

His status as castle guard was no higher than theirs. They were all guard Drones, tasked to a required purpose by Hive. If Hive decided tomorrow that he should guard the lavatories, he would do as ordered. There was no question in his mind that he would obey any command, no matter how trivial the duty. This was who he was now.

A flicker of motion in the distance caught his attention. A Drone convoy was approaching, two lines of guard Drones marching on either side of a series of horse drawn carriages. At the head of the column was a contingent of horses, a Drone dressed in a purple bodysuit leading the way.

As she approached, he could see that her suit was cut to reveal her bustline, a tight corset cinched tight over her breasts. A coiled whip sat at her waist, the braided leather appearing worn with use. The sleek, black guards surrounded her, domed helmets glinting as they turned to scan their surroundings.

The horses and carriages trotted over the bridge, halting in front of the gate house. One of the horses took the opportunity to excrete waste, a slug-like mass dribbling to the cobblestones.

G-Fifty Seven was amused and surprised that the developers had found the time to implement this behavior. He frowned, blinking. Developers? What was he thinking?

He stiffened as another set of Drones approached from within the fortress. Out of the corner of his helmet he caught a glimpse of green and immediately knew that this was his Queen who he had pledged to protect. To obey and serve.

The purple Drone dismounted, handing the reins to one of her guards. In turn, they reached their hands up and unlocked their helmets, taking them off and tucking them under their arms.

G-Fifty Seven's heart jolted. He recognized these guards, even through the haze of the gas. These were G-One Oh Five and G-One Oh Six… shit, no, that was wrong. These were his friends, Nate and Dave!

They were clearly under the thrall of the purple Drone, which he now saw was Simone, or at least the artificial facsimile of her. She gave a bright smile to the emerald green Drone, which he assumed was Q-Three - no, Zoe, his sister.

He shook his head, trying to banish the strange numbers that danced in his mind. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't remove the glowing designations. He knew them to be true.

"A productive trip as usual, D-Ten? How many were you able to capture?"

Simone trotted up to Zoe, leaning in to give her a peck on the cheek. "What, no concern for my well being? You're acting like I took a trip to the grocery store."

Zoe chuckled. "I know you. Busting up a resistance gang is like baking cookies for you. Hardly a challenge. Besides, if you needed help, you would have asked for it."

Simone patted her on the back. "That might be true, but I don't like getting sloppy. There's plenty more players still trying to hide from us, and they can be dangerous when cornered."

She moved back towards the convoy, gesturing at the first carriage. "Take these, for example. They actually tried to jump me. Fortunately, my guards were quite attentive."

Sullen faces peered out from behind steel bars, a scraggly, unkempt posse. One of them reached out towards Simone, but Dave gave him a jolt with his shockstick.

Zach shuddered. How barbaric. That could easily have been him inside that cage if he hadn't been targeted early on.

But he had been. They had gotten to him first. Made him into their toy. Their puppet.

He shuddered. That didn't sit well with him. Being trapped like an animal and subjected to strange tortures. Even if he'd been changed to like it after heavy conditioning.

He'd been changed. They had gotten to him. Here he sat, breathing this strange gas, watching others having their wills stripped from them. It was obscene.

He was G-Fifty Seven and he has been ordered to… no, forced to stand here and watch while carriage after carriage of clueless gamers had been fed into the maw of the fortress, turned into more Hive Drones.

His consciousness cracked through the effects of the gas, and he knew he had to do something. By himself, though, any attack was impossible. He would only be good for a short distraction, then he'd have to try for an escape - to regroup with others out there.

And then what? He had no special insider knowledge of Hive that would be useful to others. They'd brainwashed him into a subservient slave, just like all the rest. He could already feel the training strumming his subconscious, telling him to let go and breathe in another wonderful lungful of gas.

No, he wasn't a tool to be used. He wouldn't wait passively for the end of the world. He was Zach, dammit, an expert gamer! That should mean something!

He reached up and grasped the neck of his helmet, twisting it to release the catch and pulling it off. Tossing it over his shoulder, he quickly brought up his inventory.

Stacks and stacks of bricks for farming. Dirt, buckets of water, corn seeds, vegetables, etc. Useless in a fight.

He was equipped with a Drone uniform, and a shockstick, which could help, but he knew better than to attack the Drones with it. Yes, he might be able to incapacitate one or two, but they would easily overwhelm him. It was a weapon best used one on one, or in Hive swarming tactics.

His gas 'flamethrower' was even more worthless. He doubted any Drone would be even slightly inconvenienced by breathing the gas it projected. Instead, it would probably act to subdue anyone in the carriages, removing any chance of escaping with them.

With what he had, he would serve best as a distraction. Lacking more equipment, he should probably try diving over the bridge and taking his chances in the moat.

"G-Fifty Seven," said Simone curtly. "Why have you removed your helmet? You have not been ordered to assist." Her hand was at her waist, gripping her whip.

His eyes widened and he pointed into the distance. "Look! They're making another attack!"

It was not a simple ruse. By some stroke of luck, a cohort of enemy knights had gathered on both sides of the globe fountain and were rapidly charging towards the castle.

The cohort of guard Drones reached for their shocksticks and rushed towards the foot of the bridge. This was his chance. He raised the nozzle of his gas thrower, pressing the trigger and hosing down the lead elements of the convoy. A billow of roiling blue gas blew outwards in a pressurized burst, quickly expanding into a large cloud.

This added to the confusion, as he had intended. While they were distracted, he rushed in towards one of carriages, hoping to find a way to release some of the prisoners to increase the confusion.

As he closed in on the bars, hands reached out to him. Most of them had female avatars and they were all nude. He did his best to ignore the grimy captives, well aware that their characters here may or may not represent what they actually looked like in real life.

That was immaterial. If they were captured and brainwashed, it wouldn't much matter what happened once they escaped this world. They would be slaves to Hive.

To his dismay, he found the door secured with a chunky padlock. Cursing, he threw up a barricade of dirt blocks, knowing that it wouldn't hold them for long.

"Stop!" ordered Zoe in a booming shout.

A shock wave of pressure emanated outwards from her body in a sphere, rocketing across the bridge. When it hit the globe on top of the tower, it brightened in response.

A large flash of light burst outwards, smashing back over the knights doing battle with the guards. They froze in mid attack, making it easy for the guards to jab them with their shocksticks.

Zach didn't find himself immobilized by the bust of light, perhaps due to the changes Hive had made to him. Even so, his vision was fuzzy as he tried to come up with a solution.

He was rather out of options. The electricity from his shockstick wouldn't do anything to that lock, and in this world he lacked the technical skills to pick it. If only he had a… oh no.

A thin whip had wrapped around his leg, a sudden jerk pulling him off his feet. He landed hard on his chest, the whip dragging him along the ground backwards.

Two black suited Drones grabbed him by the shoulders and forcefully sat him against one of the bridge trusses. Two expressionless pale faces peered down on him without seeing him. Nate and Dave, completely under the thrall of Hive.

"Come on guys," he breathed heavily. "The joke's over. We have some adventuring to do. Help a fellow out."

They didn't reply, pinning him down by his shoulders. The solid tip of a black platform boot pressed against his crotch, making him jolt, a cold sweat breaking out over his brow.

Drone Simone towered over him for a moment, grinding the sole of her shoe against his penis. His dick swelled, giving him an inconvenient erection. Simone looked at him cruelly, then withdrew.

The next figure hovering above him didn't make him feel any better. His sister, the Queen, looked at him, not with disapproval, but with pity. Judging him with a single, intense stare. "A rather futile gesture, though not completely unexpected. More training will be required."

She flicked her hand, clenching it into a fist. "Tell me, what did you hope to accomplish? The globe neutralized the attackers with little trouble, and the slaves in our carts never posed a threat. It was almost too easy."

She looked around and shrugged. "This pathetic plan must not have been premeditated."

She flexed her shoulders, emphasizing her breasts, where the shiny latex tented over her nipples. He closed his eyes, unwilling to stare at his sister's assets – even if this wasn't the real world, he felt sick anyway.

"You are brave, we grant you that. Brave enough to be a valuable guard Drone, but that sort of bravery makes you teeter dangerously on the precipice of stupidity."

Zoe made a cute noise of frustration and waved at Simone."I don't have time for him. There is too much cleanup that needs to be done. Do what is necessary. Make him understand."

Simone grinned. "With pleasure."

She kicked his butt, causing him to yelp and open his eyes. She hooked her whip around the segmented belt on her waist, bending down on one knee to investigate his crotch. This gave him a perfect view of the slope between her breasts, causing his dick to tense.

She grinned, noticing his arousal. "Some people say fear is the best motivator, but I personally think that pleasure works much better. If you mix the two, however…"

Reaching down, she hooked her fingers around the zipper at his crotch, sliding it open. A hand slipped inside, clenching around his dick. He groaned, a thrill of excitement and worry sliding up his belly.

"There it is, happy to see me. Did you miss me?" She made childish noises, jerking his cock out into the open. It sprung to attention, rock hard. "Mmm, I can't wait to swallow your dick with my pussy. It's going to feel so good."

Leaning forward, she unzipped her crotch and pressed her bare flesh against his length, sitting on his belly. He gritted his teeth, aware that he had no choice but to take it.

"Ah, but he's clearly not in the proper frame of mind. Let's give him some incentive."

She pressed her hands against the top of her breasts, pushing down. This emphasized the amethyst embedded in her breastbone, light twinkling from its interior.

"Blue Orchid," she said breathlessly, pushing her chest forward so that he could get a better look.

The phrase caught in his mind, a skeleton key opening hidden doors. His back arched and he breathed out with excitement, staring at the gem, thoughts spinning in a circle.

He had been caught. He belonged to Her. He was a Drone.

The train of thought paused, then began again. He was a Drone. A Drone. He must service his Mistress. D-10.

He spotted the intricate collar clasped around her neck and knew that this was her role. She was a Director. He was just a simple guard. He would obey her

His Mistress grabbed his penis and pressed the head into her vagina, pressing her butt down on top of him to thrust it home. He gasped, shocked at the raw pleasure of the encounter, made more vibrant by the knowledge that he was fulfilling his duty as her fuck toy.

D-10 rolled her hips, ensuring that his length was buried as deep as it could go in her snatch. She gestured at G-One Oh Five and G-One Oh Six and they grabbed his arm pits, pulling him upright.

D-10 wrapped her legs around his waist, showing off her flexibility as she remained on his dick as he was lifted to his feet and pressed against the side of the bridge. She wrapped her arms around his back and kissed him on the nose.

"It’s impossible to tell the difference any more, isn’t it? G-Fifty Seven – or Zach? Are they separable? Or are they one and the same? Does it really matter either way if this feels so good?"

He made a grunting noise, but didn't reply. "I know, you're too far gone to say anything intelligible right now. You’ve been broken back down to your most instinctive state. To… oh… serve and protect."

She grasped his shoulders and eased her feet down the back of his thighs, making sure to clench her pelvic muscles as she did so, enhancing his pleasure. Leaning in again, she pressed her latexed chest against his, whispering in his ear.

"None of you stood a chance from the start. We control everything here. Even this attempt at resistance is just a game for us to break down your will even further."

In the background, the carriages had been hooked up and brought into the castle, freeing up the bridge for the guards. They swarmed like bees, fetching fallen warriors and putting them on carts. They, too, would soon experience the same treatment as their compatriots.

Transformed. Made to serve Hive. It was inevitable.

"Providing hope, then snatching it away. That's the most effective way to harness a will."

His sister, Q-Three, directed the guards, organizing the carts. She was in control, a pure extension of Hive's will. How could he deny her dominance?

"You belong to Hive, don't you?"

His breath came in short bursts. He knew the truth now. "I… am a Drone. I belong to Hive, Mistress."

He was being Controlled by a Director. By D-10.

He was a Drone. Drones did not have names. They had numbers. He was G-Fifty Seven, a guard for Q-Three. He belonged to Hive, just like his friends. Just like his sister.

He moaned in orgasm, D-10 milking him to completion.

***

Jack arrived home in a rush, his mind working frantically. Even taking public transport had given him the jitters. He didn’t know how far the aliens had managed to infiltrate the city, and the speculation was driving him crazy.

The worst part was, nobody believed him. He had tried contacting his boss, but had been laughed off. Told he was imagining things.

This wasn't just a moonshine dream. What he had seen was real, and he wasn't going to wait around to find out what would happen next. First, he would warn his family. Then, he would try to find someone higher up in the government who would believe him.

They must be warned! With the aliens in control of the water supply, nowhere in town would be safe. Unsuspecting citizens would drink whatever the aliens were doctoring the water with and then… what then? He couldn't possibly imagine.

Poison? It would be quite simple to destroy most of the town that way, but they didn't see like terrorists. Black ops troops, perhaps. Ultharians? No, they wouldn't risk an attack on the seat of the galactic empire after brokering a treaty. That would be madness. Factionalists, perhaps.

Whatever their cause, he wasn't going to wait around to find out. It was time to take action.

Unlocking the front door, he stomped into the kitchen. Susan was there, filling her mug with tea. She was about to take a sip, but he held out his hand. "Give it to me."

She raised an eyebrow, but handed it over. He proceeded to toss the contents down the drain. Setting the mug on the counter, he unplugged the kettle and poured what water remained into the sink.

"I assume you have a reason for this," said Susan, folding her hands.

"It's not safe. The water plant has been compromised." He set the kettle down with a hard clunk.

"I want you to gather up Zach and Zoe. Tell them we're preparing for an extended trip. I don't want to alarm them too much. Just get them out of here. Go to your mother's. With any luck, I'll get this sorted out and you can come back home in a few weeks."

"Jack?" asked Susan with worried eyes, moving in to gently grasp his arm. "What's really going on?"

He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to his temples. "I don't know enough to figure it out. I only have a few pieces of the puzzle."

Her fingers tightened their grip. "Jack, I'm afraid."

Jack ran his fingers down her back, giving her a hug. "Don't worry, we'll get through this."

"No, you don't understand," she said, her grip strength increasing. "I'm afraid you might escape before you've had a chance to absorb your conditioning."

She turned him around, forcing him to face the globe on the kitchen table, which flashed blue. The world spun around him, shadows in blue. Everything was spinning.

"Welcome to Hive, Drone," said the globe, pulsing. The edges of his vision whited out, his visual field dominated by the swirling blue mass.

***

Zoe whistled as she returned home, comfortable in her new body. She could feel the bright thoughts of the Drones escorting her, reveling in the cozy warmth of their mental embrace.

Her new existence in the Gestalt was far beyond what she had expected. Not only could she feel what other Drones were thinking, but if she desired, she could dip into their minds to understand why they were thinking that way.

This made it easy to gain a quick consensus for planning next steps. In her new role as Queen, she would be in charge of a large area of this planet. She would need to gather supporters and bring much of the populace under her thrall as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, there were many plans already in motion that would help her to do just that. The personal assistant globes were brainwashing families into submission. The news broadcasts were convincing everyone that being converted into Drone skin was fashionable. The last gambit was the takeover of the town’s water plant, which would allow Hive to add a subtle sedative to everyone's drinks.

Before they knew it, all of them would be serving Hive, in one way or another. It was inevitable.

First, however, she needed to ensure that her family was under control. It wouldn't do for one of them to escape Hive's grasp as she was assuming a greater role in Drone hierarchy. That would make her look weak.

She rang the doorbell and waited patiently, tapping her booted toes against the concrete porch. It was hard to wait, filled with the fire of Hive. The urgent need to convert others was all consuming, such that she could barely restrain herself.

She arched an eyebrow and looked at the others who had come with her. Two guards escorted her, shocksticks gripped in their hands to intercept anyone trying to escape.

Her friend, Simone, had opted to wear a fake white fur overcoat, cinched tight around her bodysuit. When she changed position, Zoe could see glimpses of the taut purple latex of her bodysuit flexing over her belly. It lent her an air of mystery, but didn't disguise her blue skin or the gem that had been embedded in her chest.

Zoe knew that if she opened her mouth, she would be able to see the ball Installed in the back of her throat. Just like her. Both of them had been Installed into the same Gestalt, giving them unprecedented access to other Hive Drones.

She was still getting used to calling Simone by her new designation, D-Ten. It was hard to overcome the inertia of a lifetime, but it was necessary. Drones didn't have names, they had numbers. She had a number, too. Q-Three.

The number wrapped around the core of blue that had taken its place as her central being. Her reason for existing. She still thought of herself as Zoe, but she suspected that might change as she further embraced her Drone self.

It hadn't quite settled in that she was a Queen. It was unsettling, but this new truth had been burned into her brain along with an undying loyalty to Hive. She would get over it. Hive would help her.

Simone unfurled a whip in her hands, caressing its leather surface.

Zoe frowned. "Put that away. We're not going to whip my family."

D-Ten shrugged, curling up the whip and tucking it away under her coat. "As you wish, my Queen."

Zoe rolled her eyes. "I can feel your desire to chase. To capture. That won't be needed here, but I will find an appropriate mission for you soon. There will be plenty of resistance that will need to be stamped out."

At this, D-Ten's mouth drew wide in a cruel grin. "I do hope they try to run, my Queen. We will track them down and make sure they submit."

She was being overzealous, but Zoe could hardly blame her. The same impulses drove her, but she had mastery over them. She needed to remain in control. That was her role.

Nobody had answered the door, and she felt like she had waited long enough. "D-Ten. Handle this."

"With pleasure," she replied, reaching out to grip the handle and crack the door open.

Zoe made a surprised noise, while Simone barked a laugh. "I might be aggressive, but I'm a firm believer in doing the simplest thing that could possibly work."

Amused, Zoe moved over the threshold, looking around carefully to make sure nobody was lying in wait. She didn't really expect it, but didn't wish to be caught unawares.

Faint moans came from the kitchen. She gave a cursory glance up the stairs, but saw nothing, so she moved towards the sounds of pleasure.

Susan was riding Jack's dick on the kitchen table, leaning over him with her breasts exposed. Jack stared at them, watching as she fondled them with abandonment. As she rocked forward and back, the globe on the table pulsed in time with her moans.

Zach was there, too, but he sat silent in his VR suit, staring deep into the globe. It was impossible to tell whether he was playing in the virtual world, but he appeared comatose. Every so often, he would make a small shiver, the only sign of life.

Simone stepped up to the table, examining Jack. "There is no resistance remaining, my Queen. Unit I-Forty Four has neutralized him."

Susan continued to fuck her husband, a cute smile pasted to her face. "This Drone is in control, Mistress. Give me an order."

Zoe walked up to her father, diverting her eyes from the raunchy display. Sex was a natural part of being a Drone. However, she did not find any joy in watching her parents partake.

She peered down at Jack, smiling at him. He was another Drone, like her, but he would never have the responsibilities she had now acquired. Instead, he would be happy with his assigned task, as all Drones were.

"Who are you?" she asked Jack. "Who do you serve?"

"I am a Drone," he wheezed heavily, muscles straining, a flush on his cheeks. "Designation M-Fifty Six. I serve Hive."

His eyes focused on her and widened. "I serve you. My Queen."

His body shuddered and his eyes rolled up in his head. Moaning in orgasm, he looked back at his wife. "Don't stop," he begged.

Zoe smiled at him gently. "Do as he requests," she ordered her mother. "Make sure he is sufficiently pacified, then take him to be Tanked and Installed."

"Yes, my Queen. I obey." Her breasts wobbled as she shifted into high gear, hips wiggling as she worked him over.

"What have we here?" asked Simone, scooting around the table to stand behind Zach.

Grasping the back of his chair, she pulled him away from the table, wincing at the sound the legs made against the floor. Zach didn't react, staring at the pulsing globe with his hands folded over his chest.

From her vantage point, Zoe immediately saw why. A robotic sphere had swallowed his crotch, jumping up and down as it sucked on his penis. His lips wavered and he groaned softly with satisfaction.

The robot chirped, a lurid, red eye on its top looking up at her. It flexed the legs it had wrapped around his hips. The Enforcer had him in its grip, and he would be unable to disobey the pleasure it was flooding his brain with.

She patted the surface of the machine, pleased with the slick, metallic feel of its surface. Whatever Zach was seeing inside his VR world would be more than sufficient to keep him under control.

"I am satisfied," she declared. "They are subdued." She turned to Simone. "Take G-Fifty Seven with you. He is doubtless ready to be Installed. I will join you later – there is one more task I must perform here."

She turned, dismissing them to their duties. She knew they would obey her implicitly, for they were Drones. She did not need to supervise.

A command was unfolding in her mind. One last piece of unfinished business.

Walking to the front entrance, she turned right and climbed the stairs. She was eager to retrieve what had been left for her in the box Hive had sent with her the other day.

Even so, she took measured steps. This was inevitable. No need to rush.

With each footfall, her anticipation increased. She reached out through the Gestalt, feeling the other Drones gathering up her hypnotized family.

They would undertake the same journey she had, harnessed and Installed as Hive Drones. Assigned a role, becoming a part of her realm. She would be responsible for all of them. A frightening prospect. She hoped she would be a good Queen.

As she reached the top of the stairs, her anxiety peaked, then disappeared. Her worries were nonsense. Hive was there to support her. She would not fail.

With confident strides, she entered her bedroom and searched for the box in her closet, pulling it out and setting it on her bed.

It felt like it had been a long time since she had first put on her Drone uniform. Almost so long that she had forgotten what else remained in the box.

She was ready for it now. Ready to accept the responsibility.

Reaching inside, her fingers closed around a circle of metal. It was an intricate gift Hive had given her to welcome her into her new role. Once she had wrapped it around her neck, it would mark her as a Drone, and as a Queen.

Without thinking, she pressed the cold metal against her neck and locked it shut, rejoicing in the cool feel of its tight embrace.

She was owned by Hive, adjusted and improved to take her place among the other Drones. Made whole.

Looking up, she smiled in the mirror, watching sparkling purple eyes. They looked like small gems adrift in a sea of dark blue skin. Her red lips and white teeth only served to highlight the other changes Hive had made to her.

The aquamarine gem on her chest. The globe in her mouth. The collar which proclaimed her number. Q-Three. A Queen of Hive.

She opened her jaw wide to admire the blue globe Installed inside. It flashed at her, snaring her mind in the endless murmur of the Gestalt.

One Drone, of many.

End Drone Metastasis Chapter Six

Drone Metastasis: Another Update

Good news on this front, everyone. The first draft of chapter six is complete, and the next (last) chapter is shaping up pretty well, with only three large scenes to write. I expect chapter six should be posted this weekend, if all goes as planned.

At the current rate of progress, this story should be complete in the next few weeks.

What's up next? Not committing to anything. I have some stuff on the backburner that I may pull out, but the next project may not be porn related, so most likely there will be a dearth of content on this blog. Bummer, but not too unexpected.

Story: Drone Metastasis Chapter Five

Drone Metastasis Chapter Five

Zoe blinked, gradually coming back to herself. The robotic globe she had been staring at was sitting on her dresser, dormant, its programming complete.

She wasn't certain how long she had been standing there in a somnolent state, but it must have been most of the night, as natural light was filtering through the blinds. Even so, she didn't feel tired. Communing with the globe had trained and rejuvenated her at the same time.

She was still wearing her bodysuit from yesterday, but she had no time to change or to admire how the slick rubber cupped her breasts. Her new orders were already in her brain, and she needed to obey.

She slipped her bare feet into her shoes and tied them up mechanically, a pulsing in her mind urging her onwards. She had been Scheduled, and needed to be ready to depart on time.

Leaving the robot behind, she turned and marched down the stairs, her head staring straight. She was a good Drone, ready to obey her orders.

Even so, a sense of familiarity made her pause at the landing and make a left turn, marching into the kitchen. The room was empty, but the lights were on and the vid screen was showing the news.

A faint fanfare sounded and the network logo spun for a moment before vanishing. "Hi, I'm Peach!" stated the first host, eyes staring blankly at the screen as she mindlessly played with her dark hair.

"And I'm Monica!" stated the other host, just as brightly.

Her blonde hair seemed pale, hiding the dark blue skin of her face. One of the blue personal assistant globes sat in the center of the news desk, glowing as the innards swirled enticingly.

Peach turned to face her coworker, her eyes snapping to the globe. The sparkling lights from within spiraled over her face.

"I see that you have spent more time at Sally's Beauty Parlor, the popular new salon downtown!" she said, looking more at the globe than at Monica. "Your skin looks absolutely fantastic!"

"Thanks, Monica!" returned Peach, unfocused eyes staring at the screen. "Hivarian transformations are half off! Come on down and mention my name, and they'll take off another ten percent!"

"What a good deal!" gushed Peach. "I may even take you up on that offer myself!"

She turned back to the screen, her face stretched in a wide smile, caked on makeup reflecting the studio lights. "Now, on to our next story."

"The Office of Local Infrastructure is declaring that deployment of these new personal assistants is a complete success." She gestured at the glowing globe.

"At least ninety two percent of the assistants have been delivered so far, with minimal complaints!"

The screen cut to shots of a community center where elders sat eating at a table, smiling as they asked questions of their globe. One of them nodded forwards, eyes slowly closing before she sat up straight, mouth hanging open. She moved her hands out slowly to touch the globe.

"If you don't have yours yet, be sure to get one!" she stated as the footage faded back to the news desk. "They're going like hotcakes! I can't take my eyes off it!"

Her head strayed from the screen, locking onto the globe as her smile grew. "The local police report that crime is way down. The globes are helping everyone to correct their thoughts!"

"That's right, Peach," said Monica. "Come on down to the salon and get your body altered, too! Society is changing, and it's thrilling to be on the cutting edge!"

They both smiled at the camera as the screen cut back to the logo.

"Don't they look wonderful?" breathed her mother, moving up behind Zoe. "Their bodies are being perfected. I love how supple their skin has become."

Zoe nodded her assent. They were well on their way to transforming themselves into that of Hive Drones. It wouldn't be long before they were properly converted, teaching the populace what was necessary for them to become Drones as well.

She creased her brow. "Where are Jack and Zack?" she asked.

Susan rubbed her shoulders, moving past her to fill the tea kettle. "Jack left early for work. He needs to be Trained."

She smiled gently as the water filled to the top. "He has not yet embraced the Truth. He will understand soon enough."

Turning, she clasped her hands at her waist. "Zach surfaced for a short time so I could feed him, but he is safely back in VR. He also has more lessons to learn. His new loyalty must be assured before he can be taken to the next level."

Her eyes darted to the globe on the table and she smiled. "And I... and I... I am doing exactly as I have been commanded and it feels wonderful."

She palmed one of her breasts and shivered, looking back up at Zoe. "It is time. You must be Installed so that you may Ascend. There are so many more Drones that need your help to find the Truth. I am only one of them."

Her lips curved as the doorbell rang. "Go. Get plugged into Hive so that the future is assured. Don't worry, we will all be together as a family again. Soon."

Zoe felt a thrill as her body turned around, her feet naturally stepping towards her destiny. She didn't need to be told twice. The commands were already unspooling in her brain.

Leaving her mother behind, she stepped up to the door and unlocked it, pulling it open. Outside stood three figures.

Simone was standing in the center of the porch, clad only in her purple bodysuit, smiling wide. On either side of her were two black suited Drones, looking sharp and sinister. Their arms were by their sides, but their gloved hands hovered over their utility belts. Opaque spherical helmets hid their features, with long, articulated hoses rising over their shoulders to silver tanks on their backs. They looked like wasps, ready to sting any disobedient person into submission.

"I have been ordered to accompany you to the Integration center," Simone said, vibrating in place. "There, we will be Installed together."

Zoe nodded her assent. She could feel her programming agreeing with her, and knew that she needed to be Installed. She followed Simone's long strides down the walkway up to a transport pod.

Simone’s beautiful form in her skin tight suit almost looked like it was levitating as she took small steps, escorted by the sleek, black guards. She knew from the viewpoint of any outside observer, she would look the same. She belonged with them. A group of Drones.

Even so, as she climbed into the pod, uncertainty flooded her soul. Why did Hive deem it necessary to send guards with Simone to gather her up? Was she important in some way?

Nonsense. She was just another Hive Drone. An interchangeable cog in the machinery of Hive. There was nothing special about her.

Sandwiched between the guards and Simone, she felt a little uncomfortable. Did Hive trust her and the training they had given her that little? It was impossible for her to conceive of betraying Hive. The thought was enough to make her sick to her stomach.

The raspy breathing of the guards was unsettling. She cleared her throat. "Simone, do you know why Hive sent guards to collect us?"

"I do not," she replied, her face blank as she stared into the distance. "I only do what I am told to do. I am a Drone."

Zoe nodded. "Yes, we are Drones." She shuddered. "That doesn't mean we can't question what is asked of us. I am not a complete robot."

Simone's face creased. "We are Drones," she repeated, shifting her shoulders uncomfortably.

Finally, she turned to focus on Zoe. "I don't know what the future holds, but I feel nothing but comfort and warmth. You have no idea how much I have struggled with depression recently."

Her face lifted into a smile. "That feeling has been taken from me. Hive has removed the wrong parts of me. I can be happy as a Drone. As She commands. I am more free than I was yesterday. Do you understand?"

Zoe swallowed. "Yes, I do."

She had known about some of Simone's struggles, but not how serious they were. If Hive could solve that, Hive could do anything! Joy rose within her chest.

The pod ground to a halt, the door opening onto the curb. She was ushered outside, pressed down the alleyway by the black figures, blue mist leaking from the portholes on their masks.

The metal alley door hissed open, revealing the Instructress, looking regal as always. Her shiny chrome helmet flashed in the sunlight as her shoulder creased, gesturing for them to come in.

As they padded inside, the guards took up stations at the door as it crashed shut. They slipped out of their shoes and followed the Instructress deeper inside.

"Very good, Drones," came the sultry voice from in front of them. "Your initial training is almost complete. You have been sorted and allocated. Once you have finished your next session, you shall be Installed, opening you up to the entire universe of Hive."

Zoe smiled, bliss spiraling from her brain down her neck and into her core. She had pleased Hive. That knowledge was greater than any past accomplishment. Her Drone mind rejoiced.

The Instructress turned right, leading them into a large chamber filled with equipment.

A high ceiling provided room for cranes, pipes, and cables. Large, round tanks had been installed down the center, squeezed between suspended walkways.

The interior of the room was arranged in a grid pattern, duplicate setups laid out in identical stations, each as large as a bedroom.

Every station was attended by five Drones dressed in yellow bodysuits, a chrome helmet topping their heads. They must have been through this procedure many times, as they waited patiently for the new Drones to step forward.

Instructress laid her fingers on Zoe's shoulder and urged her forward. "This is the last step," she hummed. "After this, you will be Installed."

Her hand tightened briefly, then let go. "Hive has given me the privilege of seeing you being tanked. I look forward to watching you come into your own after you have been upgraded."

She made a clicking noise. "Go on, little Drone. They are waiting for you."

Feeling a bit of trepidation, she looked to Simone for reassurance, but her friend was already stepping towards a station, being greeted by a set of Drones. She would have to take this step on her own.

Hesitating, she walked towards her own station slowly, cheering up a little as the attendant Drones flooded out to meet her. The susurrus of their happy chatter greeted her, making her feel welcome.

"Have you ever seen a prettier Drone?" asked the helmeted Drone on her left, pressing her hand over Zoe's hip.

The one on her right licked her lips. "I'd love to share her bed," she said, grinning. "But she probably will be too busy after she's been Installed. This one is meant for greater things."

The crowd of Drones moaned. "Won't you visit us once you've been Integrated?" asked one of the smaller Drones. "We'd love to have you."

Zoe looked over the set of cheerful Drones, wondering briefly how she'd ever be able to find them again. "Sure," she said, not certain if she'd be able to keep the promise. "I'd love to visit you all after this is over. If you still want to."

One of the ones at the rear chuckled with low heat. "Oh, we'll definitely want to spend time with you."

She wasn't sure what to make of that, so said nothing. The Drone touching her hip took her by the arm and pulled her over to a metal chair mounted at waist height.

She turned and sat down, feeling the holes bored into its surface. She breathed deep and relaxed her shoulders, not sure what was coming next. The fear of the unknown was getting to her a little but she knew she was safe in the hands of these Drones. She had to believe. In Hive there was comfort.

"Don't worry," said one of the Drones. "This might feel a bit strange, but once you've been tanked Hive will vacuum all of those worrisome little thoughts out of your mind."

The Drone pulled down on a mask dangling above her head while the other Drones busied themselves with strapping her to the chair. Her arms were locked to the sides of the backrest, with additional straps looping around her chest and waist to keep her in place.

The rest of their preparations went on outside her knowledge, as the black specter of the gas mask slid into place, a thick knob of rubber fitting between her lips. The rubbery exterior folded around her ears, secured in place behind her head with tight straps. There was no provision made for vision, all light blocked by the thick material.

She sucked on the flat protrusion sticking between her teeth as it inflated into an oval ball, forcing her jaw open. A hiss of air came from its hollow center, forcing gas into her throat.

She cooperated, used to this kind of rough treatment, welcoming the soporific feeling the gas provided. Soft noises infiltrated the mask from outside, filtered through soft pads clamped around her ears.

She flexed her chest as cheeky hands groped at her breasts, but they lingered only for a moment before the seat she sat on began to sink into the ground.

The process was slow, but smooth as she was levered down by hydraulics until her feet touched a layer of liquid. Her heart lurched as her chair dropped into the tank, disconnected from whatever mechanism had controlled its descent.

Warmth surrounded her as the liquid swallowed her feet, rushing over her belly and up her chest until she was fully covered. Her only source of air was the mask, her rattling breath gasping for more.

As she sank deeper and deeper into darkness, the lively voices from above faded away. Frenzied breathing smoothed out, warm air from the mask filling her lungs. The sound of her exhalations kept her company as the seconds ticked by.

It wasn't long before the interior of her mask lit up in a dizzying array of colors, a cheerful tune invading her ears. Her eyes followed the pattern, circling the familiar circumference of an eye symbol.

She briefly hoped that Simone was enjoying her experience, but soon she wasn't thinking about anything at all.

***

Jack tipped back his lukewarm coffee and groaned. He had been at work for several hours already, and so far he had learned nothing new. Except the fact that his neck ached from having to watch the vids from such an odd angle.

The worst part of all this was that he needed to run the damn presentation, when none of his guys needed to see it. When upper management failed to police themselves, everyone below them had to suffer for it.

As yet another dumb office skit finished playing, he found his eyes drawn to the idiotic cartoon character telling them that it was a bad idea to tell sex jokes at work. As if they didn't already know that.

The cartoon danced, danced. He shook his head, feeling dizzy. He didn't remember feeling this way when he had first reviewed the material. Maybe he needed some more coffee.

Standing, he turned and slipped out of the room. Nobody would ding him for being gone a few minutes. Hell, he needed to be back there soon to swap to the next brain deadening vid. Why anybody thought this was a good idea was beyond him.

Standing on the catwalk, he looked out over the series of pumps thrumming below him and smiled with pride. It was his initiative that had convinced the city government that they needed to increase water filtration capacity, and he considered the facility to be as important to him as his family.

Every day millions of gallons of water rushed through these pipes from remote reservoirs, treated to make it safe for human consumption. The voracious appetite of the average consumer for their daily water supply kept the system eternally humming along.

There hadn't been a breakdown in weeks, although a third of their capacity was currently down for maintenance. This rotating schedule allowed them to keep most of the system running while taking parts offline to inspect and replace parts as necessary.

Yes, indeed, he had this running like clockwork. He sipped his coffee and frowned at the bitter taste, sighing as he climbed down the metal staircase.

A loud noise attracted his attention. That sounded a lot like one of the doors to the facility, but he had already taken attendance and knew that all of his workers were upstairs. Feeling tense, he rounded the corner and took a few steps, his heart lurching as he saw a group of invaders marching past the pumps.

His eyes had trouble focusing on their figures, the harsh light from above reflecting off their slippery, black body suits. Clouds of blue mist hung around their heads, ejecting from the side ports on their spherical gas masks in synchronized rhythm. Their black gloved hands rested near their belts, and they appeared in no special hurry.

He was ashamed to admit that he froze out of shock, long enough for them to march right up to his stilled form. Clutching his coffee cup in a death grip, he could feel his legs vibrating.

"This facility is now on lockdown," said a muffled voice from beneath one of the masks. "Nobody may enter or leave the premises without permission."

Instead of arguing, he tossed the dregs of his coffee at them and immediately turned to run back upstairs, instinctively seeking help. Most of his guys knew how to turn wrenches, and there was strength in numbers.

Clutching his mug, he took the steps two by two, shouting as the mysterious figures gave chase. Holding his arm in front of him, he smashed open the door to the conference room, taking in the desks and silent men watching the vid.

His eyes flicked over their somnolent figures, heart lurching. None of them had reacted to his sudden entrance, mouths open as they took in the silly cartoon character dancing on the screen.

"Sir. Sir." An iron hand clapped around his shoulder. "It is pointless to resist. Your workers cannot hear you. They have been triggered by the vid."

His eyes automatically moved to watch the cartoon figure, seeing it spin and dance. Spin and dance. There was something strangely attractive about the figure, and the strange eye that was embossed on its chest.

Only the stentorian voice behind him interrupted his momentary daze. "You have been triggered by the vid. The commands implanted by your household globe are now activating. You are docile. You are obedient. You will come with us."

Eyes wide, Jack marched in front of the guard as he steered him out of the room. Escorted down the steps, he was in the midst of a group of the shiny, black suited men. A cloud of blue gas surrounded them in a haze, and his breath caught as he took in a sweet lungful.

This wasn’t right. Something was dreadfully wrong. Why was his pumping station being captured by a group of strangely dressed… aliens? In their outfits, they could literally be anyone.

It felt good to stand still and be commanded, but it went against his inner nature. The conflicting parts of his brain fought each other to a standstill, leaving him stationary.

With every passing moment, however, he could feel his urge to leave increasing, until it bounced up and down in his chest with every swallow. Suddenly, the strange miasma which had been strangling his thoughts lifted, leaving him surprisingly clear headed.

He had to leave. He had to find help.

The urgency became too much for him, and he sprinted for the door, shoving aside the pair of surprised figures standing next to him.

***

Zach was unsurprised to find himself back in VR in the captain’s quarters of the ship. He hadn’t consciously loaded the game himself, which followed the trend of an outside force having taken over his reality.

The situation should have been more frightening, but during his last experience he had been sucked off multiple times. He was starting to wonder whether it wouldn’t be better if he gave up and went along with the flow. He certainly had seen little success trying to find a way to escape the forced encounters.

He wasn’t giving up. No, it was just that all the choices had been taken from him.

He instinctively knew this was a rationalization to make him feel better at having given in to his base desires. Who said lying to oneself wasn’t an effective coping mechanism?

It was better than admitting that, deep down, he really wanted it. That he wanted to fuck his sister’s friend. To do all the nastiest things he could imagine. To ride her hard until she squealed.

It was almost sufficient payment for giving up control of his mind and body to Hive. That thought scared him the most - that all of his deepest held moral beliefs could be bought off by raw sex. Sold so cheaply.

Or maybe it hadn’t been so cheap after all. He certainly didn’t know how long he had been stuck in VR, or how many sexual encounters he had experienced. For all he knew, there had been hundreds of redos required for them to get him into this state.

Whatever they had done, he knew several things: he was horny as hell, and if a Hive Drone showed up right now, he’d fuck them silly, without any reservations. Sordid, but true.

Only, there was nobody else here. It seemed as though he had been dumped into the tutorial sequence of the game once again. Alone with his thoughts.

He squinted as visual snow blocked out his vision. Perhaps not truly alone, after all. Was this going to be another seduction attempt?

The snow faded, leaving behind the confused forms of Nate and Dave dressed in bland spacer uniforms. They looked around in confusion. "Where? What?" they asked, talking over each other.

"We’re back in the game," said Zach blandly, eyeing his friends with suspicion. "Where have you guys been?"

Nate’s portly face turned red. "I’ve been, uhhh, do I have to admit it?"

Dave’s whiskers curled as he leered. "I’ve been fucking a woman dressed in a slick, latex body suit. There, I’ve admitted it."

He turned to Nate. "So have you. Don’t deny it."

Nate raised an eyebrow, but didn’t shake his head.

Zach sighed, and relaxed back in his chair. "Me too. It’s like I don’t have any form of resistance inside this virtual world."

Dave began to pace in the limited cabin space, putting his hands on his hips. "They call themselves Hive Drones." He turned and faced the others. "Do either of you have any idea what Hive is? Or what Drones do?"

Zach shrugged. "Not really." His face clouded. "They do seem to like to take the faces of some of the people I know in real life, though."

Nate’s face went even more red, but he said nothing. Not even a joke. What the Drones had done to him must be really embarrassing if he couldn’t think of anything funny to say.

Zach sighed. "Well, what can we do? Every time we’ve tried to find a way to defeat them, they’ve caught us and subjected us to… fun times."

Dave stopped pacing. "Let’s be honest. They’ve been fucking us. Or we’ve been fucking them, and we’ve enjoyed it. None of us are that innocent."

Nate cringed, but his lips firmed. "That may be so, but it’s not like we’ve been given much choice. They control everything we experience here in VR. Everything."

Zach smacked his thigh and stood. "That’s as may be, but are we going to give up without a fight? Who are we? We’re gamers!"

"Yeah, gamers!" said Nate unenthusiastically, letting himself be drawn into a shaky high five.

Dave twisted his lips, refusing to join the celebration. "What’s your plan?" he asked bluntly. "Nothing we’ve done so far has changed anything."

Zach sighed. "Well, there is one thing. We never did get into the cargo bays on deck three. We have no idea what cargo this ship is hauling. There might be something useful there."

"Useful? Like what?" asked Dave, raising his hands into the air in frustration. "They seem to have complete control over this simulation. They could have stuffed the compartments full of heavy equipment to subdue us, for all we know!"

"That’s possible, yes," said Zach, heading towards the cabin door. He turned to look at his two friends, urgency behind his words. "Our only chance of success is to be unpredictable, though. Have they really thought through all the possible scenarios? Do they have every edge case covered? I’m betting they don’t - but if we don’t make a move now, they’re going to trap us like rats."

Shaking his head and moaning, Nate climbed to his feet and moved to follow Zach. "He’s right. I want to hear what he’s thinking."

His face bright with a smile he wasn’t feeling, Zach continued. "Remember last time, when we found the tool box?"

"Yeah, I do," said Dave, shrugging. "I also remember being caught flat footed on the bridge and taken out without even a reasonable struggle."

Zach pointed at Dave. "Exactly. We were too slow. We have to make a move right away… no time to dally. Let’s grab those tools and get down the hatch, ignoring everything else. I want to see what’s in that cargo bay."

Dave shrugged. "Fine, guess there’s nothing to lose. We’ll probably end up fucked anyway."

"That’s the spirit!" shouted Zach, rushing onto the bridge.

He ignored the beeping console, heading straight for the cylinder housing the space suit. Prizing the cylinder open, he shoved aside the pieces of the suit as they tumbled to the floor, grabbing the tool box and heading for the access ladder.

"Follow me, lads!" he shouted happily, doing his best to climb down the ladder with the toolbox grasped in one hand.

Fortunately, he only needed to descend a few decks. A longer crawl would have strained his strength, but as it was his feet dropped to the diamond plated floor with a happy thud.

He was finally taking action! Arguing with people totally drained him. He'd rather be doing something, even if it was the wrong thing.

He peeked out of the hatchway just in time for the alert klaxon to go off. "Hurry boys, we're running out of time!" he shouted, rushing to the large cargo door.

Placing the toolbox on the floor near the access console, he popped off the faceplate to reveal the nest of wiring inside.

He didn't know much about the lock mechanism, but fortunately he didn't need to - there was a broken wire staring him right in the face. Grabbing the sonic modulator, he played the tip over the frayed strands and they knitted themselves back together.

A loud huffing breath came from over his right shoulder. "Do you think that's going to fix it?" asked Nate.

Zach shrugged. "Probably. I've checked my character sheet and I have technical proficiency."

He turned over the disconnected panel and the hatch started to creak open. "There, now we get to see what's inside."

Dave bent over, moving under the opening door. Zach swallowed, stopping himself from telling him to wait. They all wanted to know what was inside.

He dropped the sonic modulator in the toolbox and grabbed a crowbar, creeping after Dave on tenterhooks. The robotic invaders could show up at any time.

"They're… crates," said Dave in a monotone. "Are we in a first person shooter? What the hell is this?"

He was standing in front of a maze of wooden crates, stacked haphazardly. Several pathways had been left through the stacks, making the hold look an untidy jumble.

Zach stepped up to a crate and jammed his crowbar under the lid, prying the nailed boards upwards with a creak. Nate pulled on the top, setting it aside to gape at the contents.

Zach's breath caught in his throat. The crate was packed to the brim with shiny metallic tanks. Near the top of each silver dome was a black mask, straps bundled neatly into the face plate.

"Shit," mumbled Dave. "Here, let me see that."

He grabbed the crowbar from Zach's limp hands without waiting for an answer. Proceeding to the next crate, he neatly popped the lid off. "Black bodysuits," he murmured. "More Dronewear."

He moved to the next. For once, his face brightened. He grinned and reached inside, fetching a black cylinder. "Shocksticks," he declared, thumbing the button. A burst of electricity spring from the tip.

"Here, catch!" he said, tossing one to Nate, who grabbed it reflexively.

Zach moved forward cautiously and retrieved one for himself. "I don't like this," he said. "If this bay is filled with a shipment of Drone equipment, then that means…"

"It means that you are working for Hive," said a smooth voice, overlaying his. "We all do Her will, in our own ways."

He turned, jerking as he recognized the speaker. She was dressed in an emerald bodysuit, her skin blued, but even though her features had been altered, her knew this was his sister. Or, at least, a passable virtual simulacrum.

She appeared alone, but it was unlikely Hive would send a Drone to confront them without any support. Even one taking Zoe's form.

He scanned the bay cautiously, approaching her slowly with the shockstick grasped tightly in his palm. He hoped it wouldn't come to it, but if he had to he'd stun her with it and make a break for it.

She lifted a hand towards him, palm upwards. "You know the truth already," came her low, husky voice. "You already belong to and obey Hive. You helped to load these supplies, under Hive’s orders. You will help to deliver them. Others will experience the joy of submitting, just as you have."

Dave stepped forward, shockstick extended as he circled to the left. "I don't buy it," he said, looking around nervously. "If we're already Drones, why would you bother coming here to confront us?"

Zoe Drone's lips curled gently. "That's simple. You only need to be triggered. Blue Orchid," she whispered, pretending to blow dust from her hand at him.

He flinched, eyes flickering. "That didn't do anything," he slurred. "I'm not a Drone."

He gaped and his mouth flopped open. His body shook, and he collapsed to the floor.

"Sorry Dave," Nate said mechanically, pressing a shockstick into his back. "We are meant to be Drones. I am already a Drone. We are Drones."

Large spherical balls rolled into the docking bay, flanking Zoe on either side. Their compact bodies unfolded, tendrils extending from within the shiny chrome. The legs jacked up the bodies of the robots until they were suspended in mid air. They looked like large cephalopods, red eyes staring at them from within metallic carcasses.

"I know you too well, Zach," said Zoe. "You don't give up unless victory is impossible. I made sure to bring plenty of reinforcements."

Zach shuddered, backing away. He knew he couldn't get past them, even with the shock stick. With his friends out of action, his only option was to run.

He turned, slamming into a soft body. Strong arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him in close accompanied by a deep chuckle. The impact squeezed the breath from his lungs and he was left gasping, the shockstick dropping from nerveess fingers.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" said another familiar voice. "You were quite agreeable in bed earlier."

The digital Simone squeezed him tightly with seemingly inexhaustible strength. His legs turned to jelly and he sagged into her arms.

"Do not worry," she said in a cheerful voice. "Hive has been training you for your new role. Your minds have been harnessed, transforming you into guard Drones, ensuring Hive’s successful conquest of this planet."

She chortled in his ear. "You may still reject this consciously, but deep down you have already accepted this fact. Your training is almost complete."

She shifted, turning him around to face Zoe as if he was as light as a feather. His virtual sister stepped forward languidly as if she owned the place. The laces on her platform boots swayed with her hips as she approached his two friends.

Lifting a leg, she placed a boot on top of Dave's groaning body and leaned over him. He tried to shift his butt, but only succeeded in falling on his stomach. Two of the large, spherical robots walked over next to them on their stilt legs, looming electronic watchdogs.

Zoe folded her hands across her chest and tapped a finger against her upper arm, looking at them speculatively. "The lessons you learn in this virtual world will carry over into what you consider the real world. What is real here will be real there as well."

Nate stood still, staring at her with adoring eyes, ignoring Dave who was still struggling to get up. One of the robots made a metallic chittering noise and he froze.

She paused, considering. "Clearly, a few of you need some more training. One more session ought to do it."

She snapped her fingers and two more Drones entered the room, dressed in orange latex. "These two will service you and ensure that you are thinking the right thoughts."

Both of the new Drones had small spheres nestled in the curve between their breasts. One of them curled her arms around Nate and kissed him, smiling as his eyes were drawn to a sudden sparkling flash coming from her cleavage. Soon, he was mesmerized by the robot, which had opened a porthole to reveal its swirling blue innards.

The other Drone kneeled on top of Dave, rolling his body over. She leaned low to emphasize her curves, his mind soon wrapped up by her hypnotic robot. She bit her lip and tugged at his pants, revealing what she was truly after.

Stunned at how quickly the situation had devolved, Zach didn't even try to struggle. Not that it would have done much good, for Simone's arms were like iron bars.

Simone swung him about, turning him to face the open crates. "Now, put on the clothing and accept your new slave persona."

Simone kissed him on the cheek and let him go, gently pushing him towards the box. He hesitated for a moment, looking at the shiny outfits. Faint noises of pleasure echoed behind him.

There was no escape. This was inevitable.

He reached for one of the suits, shivering as his fingers contacted its silky surface.

End Chapter Five