[Worm]

Ilan knew that time was an irrelevant measure of existence. He knew that even the few hours he’d spent with Qi would remain in space and time somewhere. It didn’t matter if he left or not. So he looked down at Qi from behind with a sort of pity. He felt bad for her. So he turned and began digging for the cord. Attached to a small back cube was the answer to all of Ilan’s problems. The hyperverse.

The dim glow of the cube pinned its location and Ilan pulled it out from under a pile of empty food rations. It was still on and ready to sync. It had been about four Earth months since he’d last used it. It was on his way through Qi’s native planetary system that he finally unplugged after nearly two years of being connected. He blew off the top of the baby sized cube, even though he knew it wasn’t likely to have dust on it. He sat it behind Qi as she confirmed her fears. ”Will you leave me then…?”

He smiled with a hollow energy. He held the thick, coiled cord in his hand and leaned over Qi’s shoulders. ”I can never leave you now.” Was all he said before he opened the six legged prong at the end of the cable. It would seize into Qi’s neck and inject serum into her spinal column. With the six legs pinching and keeping it still, it would feed the electric properties through her and she would become the conduit as the hyperverse altered her reality.

Ilan had a small, growing scar at the back of his neck which showed how frequently he used the machine. The first few times would heal, leaving no scar, depending on how long you left the cable attached. So, with the cable now braced against her neck, he would watch her slip into the hyperverse. Then, he would take a second cable, attached at the cube, with little use since Ilan was normally travelling alone, and he would sit next to Qi as he injected himself. It was natural for him, the cable sat perfectly at his scar and slink!

Welcome….
There are 2 players in your party
Where would you like to begin?

Ilan turned his digital head to see Qi waiting patiently.

”Xitchal, at sea.” His voice was clear and seemed to produce subtitles for the party when he spoke to reduce miscommunication.

The box asked Qi and Ilan to confirm.

Xitchal, at sea?

Yes 1/2
No

Both parties had to select yes for the hyperverse to activate. And when it did, Ilan and Qi were transported to the beautiful, digital world of Xitchal. It was not like Qi’s home planet. It was a rainforest with the sounds of birds and frogs and insects. It smelled like moss and sea water. The starting ground was next to the ocean. It lapped in and out on a red sand beach. The first sun was rising. It was the smaller of two, and a warm red. The greens and blues of the rainforest lined the beach, causing a perfect separation of warm and cool colors.

Ilan scrolled through an inventory of his that was full to the brim from hyperverse exploration. He pulled out two Excellent Rods and handed one to Qi. It was made with a light weighted, natural wood and the line was strong and sturdy. Qi would now have the option to change hers as she pleased. ”This one’s for you, Qi.” He smiled, standing a foot taller than the lost woman next to him. ”You can keep it.” He patted her shoulder and looked out to the sea. A small sailboat appeared at the beach when both were equipped with rods. ”Are you ready to catch some fish?” He turned happily to run towards the sailboat, hardly giving Qi an option.

---

Tennan couldn’t help but agree. If she wanted even a cut of the bounty, Marco had to be alive. She was frustrated that the slimy lizard was able to escape. Little did she know that Quash too, had a plan. You see, Quash was no ordinary familiar. He was a brilliant scientist. In fact, his keeper, Ino, was built by him. He would make sure that next time he met the clan of the Hangman’s Cry, he would be better prepared and his keeper would be more sturdy. He loved Ino, as every parent would love their child, or artist would love their creation. Next time, he could only do better.

The bladed woman put down her defenses to slip into the slightly too small boy’s clothes. Normally she would be too muscular to fit into the legs of these pants, but because of her new body, she was thin and atrophied. She slid right in and they were almost baggy on her. She felt much more comfortable with her most dangerous weapon concealed. Her last body would have been able to sling a man Marco’s size over her shoulder, but now, she could only watch as the boys managed to carry him. ”Would your doctor happen to be a bioengineer as well?” She tapped her dented headpiece to remind the boys that she also needed a little work. The headpiece was still functioning, and she was able to still hone in on her surroundings. But a dent meant that she had a weak point. Without her headpiece, she was little more than a blind and deaf creature, surviving purely on touch. One of her biggest fears was losing her senses through cybernetic failure.