[[REDACTED], Val Verde]

[May 8, 2023]

“Ah~” Kori held the spoon to my mouth and I ate the yogurt. Sure it made me look like a baby, but it was a lot less humiliating than trying to resist.

I had learned early on that Kori could hold a spoon forever. My decisions on hunger seemed to be as important as screaming in the voids of space. It was much easier to eat.

“Two MONTHS?!” I almost spat out the yogurt as I stared at Friday’s display. Kori rubbed my chest to soothe me, and force me back into her embrace.

Ever since I woke back up she had been adamant about remaining by my side. I was both delighted to get held by a pretty lady, but also unnerved as she could stare at me for what felt like hours.

[Correct. Since without the V-Virus, you would be dead, a small-time loss is excellent. The projected time for alternative regeneration is measured in years.]

I nodded and ate another spoonful. I watched the time-lapse of the V-Virus do its magic on my body. What was once a deadly hole in my chest turned into a giant, pulsating tumor.

The tumor then dried out. The bits collapsed into healthy-looking skin. Even if it was extra pink-looking.

“No residual virus after as the body cleans them up. They have no ability to reproduce after 10 replications. Nor can they merge with anything but the targeted cells,” Sue explained. She tapped at another screen to bring it into focus. “If anything, we can extend your lifespan by a few weeks due to the side effects.”

The screen showed the V-Virus binding itself with various cells. Notes detailed how it accelerated the cell division process. A smaller screen highlighted the telomeres. More notes showcased the retardation of the shortening process.

I nodded along on how telomeres worked as a limiter of sorts. A natural phenomenon that occurred with each cell division.

[Though the lifespan increase is near perfect. The human body still has prevalent issues present in the human genome.] Friday pulled up a human DNA helix and began to highlight the spotty bits.

“Wait…” I stared at that image. Wasn’t everyone different to a certain degree? Why show me this? “Is that my DNA?”

“Yes,” Sue and Friday echoed each other.

“Am I a clone?” I narrowed my eyes at them and tried to glare. But the smudge of yogurt on the corner of my lips didn’t help. Neither did the yawn as Kori pulled me back into her chest.

She began to hum and float with me on her lap. Her mothering nature had somehow triggered and I was unable to resist her.

The two turned to stare at each other. A silent message passed between them before they gave me a flat stare in return.

“I doubt we could recreate your level of intelligence,” Sue admitted.

Friday mirrored Sue’s lab coat and glasses. She adjusted her glasses and met my eyes. [Yes. To lower one’s intelligence to Johnny’s level would be a challenge.]

I nodded for a few seconds before it clicked. “Hey!”

We all laughed. I grumbled but I couldn’t hold back my smile.

“Please do rest Johnny. Today’s inject was the new R-Virus. It will enhance your recovery by a theoretical thirty-fold increase. Musculature regeneration via single injection,” Sue said as she changed the screen.

It now showcased her greatest discovery yet. A new virus that worked in conjunction with the other one. V & R created a unique symbiotic effect on human recovery.

Kori rubbed my stomach and I yawned. Sue had the perfect monotone as she continued to talk, lost in her own little world.

I felt too comfortable to do anything more than close my eyes. She sealed my fate as she wrapped both her arms around me, and began to heat up her body to match my core temperature.

An ability she had recently discovered when I had shivered a few days ago. We both discovered that she could become a perfect little heater.

The others took their queue as they began to talk amongst themselves. I was an adult damn it! I have free will!

Kori merrily hummed a pop song and nuzzled my head. I fell asleep in her arms.

—

[[REDACTED], Val Verde]

[May 10, 2023]

[The current incursions are all concentrated in Venezuela. The damages are minor, but there is no end in sight.] Friday highlighted areas on the digital map. She was showing me the affected areas.

“We must take baby steps, yes?” Kori cheered as she hovered by my side. Her hands were millimeters away in case I fell over.

My shaky legs took another step. My pace was slow and caused me no end of anguish. I was alive but oh so weak.

It was frustrating as my body was still weak from my time bedridden. Say what you will about the human body, but it was very efficient with atrophy.

My arms also shook as I held onto the parallel beams. The heights were perfect for me to lean on as I tried to walk the three-meter course.

My best time so far was five minutes, and even then Kori had caught me a dozen times near the end. R-Virus or not... I still had low stamina as I worked on recovery.

I was improving, but it was grueling as my memories said I was walking well a few days ago.

[I would recommend a proper response by coordinating our current military deployments. Cooperation with the local armed forces will counter any incursions.] Friday showed the various local military bases in the country.

The screen changed to internet articles on disapproval, and fear. Friday summarized it down to the sudden string of attacks making people uneasy.

[President Diaz cannot deal with the problem with their current military. As well there has been an uptick in dissatisfaction since the problems began.]

“Send… Fenris… problem… solved…” I grunted out as my left knee betrayed me. My weight shifted inward but my knee didn't correct itself. It folded like a nameless Hydra henchman.

My hands slipped as I tried to stabilize. Too slow as I focused on my knee.

I fell to the left but Kori was there to catch me. I panted into her neck as adrenaline surged through my body.

I blinked back a tear as frustration rose within me. A flash of hot shame speared me in the heart.

This was normal. Friday said so from her various bits of data from books read on human psychology.

A man could deal with many things, but helplessness was frustrating. I closed my eyes and let Kori hug me.

I leaned into her body. My weight was insignificant as she held me up.

[Fenris will get informed and deployed later this week. His legion has fulfilled the required R&R after the last escort mission in Australia.]

I nodded and took in deep breaths. Kori smelled of flowers. Huh, never noticed that before.

After a few minutes, I opened my eyes and reached for the bar. I might not be the smartest, but I was dumb enough to keep trying.

“I believe in you friend Johnny!” Kori cheered as I pushed myself back onto shaky legs.

I let go and grunted as I began my slow walk through the last half-meter of distance.

As Candice once said, I was a natural glutton for punishment.

—

[[REDACTED], Val Verde]

[May 15, 2023]

The evening was cool as we watched the fire crackle in the fireplace. The heat was soothing as I stretched out on a plush rug. Kori held my feet as I tried to do one last sit-up.

My breathing was erratic as I heaved from exertion. I tried to stabilize my breath as I soaked the rug in my own sweat. I focused on the nice wooden walls around me instead of my muscles which felt as if they were on fire.

As far as secret lodging went, they spent a fair bit to make it comfortable. Perhaps this was a prebuilt unit. Then someone brought in quality items to make it livable for the Supreme Leader?

My eyes wandered over to Kara who was reading a book called Sapiens. A quick guide on our world history. Candice was playing Candy Crush and swearing as the RNG did her dirty.

“Just one more, friend Johnny,” Kori asked as she patted my knee. I turned my head and nodded.

I grunted as I willed myself up. My muscles complained as I forced them to work. Kori’s eyes shone in the light as she cheered me on. I felt bile rise up as I rose up.

Kara eyed my body as I had bulked up a fair bit. As promised, the R-Virus was boosting my physical recovery. If anything it worked better than promised as my abs were back.

Something that I had not seen since I retired from the Jade Falcons to take up the mantle of Supreme Leader. A job that was less running around on a battlefield, and more sitting at a desk reading endless sheets of paper.

With a yell, I finished my last sit-up. Kori's arms snaked around me to pull me into her embrace. She leaned back, pulling me forward and onto her.

The two of us floated as I adjusted my legs to rest on top of hers. She showered my neck with kisses as her arms locked me into a hug.

Kori whispered her praise and I relaxed. She had supervised my 100 sit-ups, push-ups, and squats after a 10km run.

A miracle considering that six days ago I couldn’t even do two of each and a meter of shambling.

Kara floated to my side and pressed a hot towel to wipe down my bareback. It was soothing as she worked it into my sore muscles.

I sighed as Kara rubbed the towel in slow circles. Kori hummed and I felt a wave of exhaustion overtake me.

Had Kori conditioned me to fall asleep on command!? It was both a funny but worrying thought.

I closed my eyes and my world shrank.

Kori humming in my ears and her floral smells filled my nose. Kara joined in, their voices syncing as her hands and towel reached my waist.

Disregarding the almost successful assassination attempt. Things were changing in a very positive direction for me. Kori and Kara were no longer afraid of close contact. If anything they seem to worry that I would disintegrate if they didn't hug me.

Candice saw my napping body and smiled as she watched her two friends work their magic. She wasn’t sure when it was that the two had become family, but she wouldn’t change anything.

Her smile faded as she looked down. She was on her last life for the day, and this level was goddamn bullshit!

————

Chapter 57: It’ll buff out