Taking the green liquid from one of the vials stolen from the Hero, the Hivemind felt the Main-Host spasm for a moment before the onslaught of [Ether] came along, the production going through the roof. Even with such a small amount, it could feel its body tear itself apart and reform in a repeating fashion. If the original personality was being used, it would have likely screamed in pain. Instead, the Parasite just waited until the effect was over, looking at the [Ether] gained from the process.

Evolution

Current [Ether]

Required [Ether]

2837

5000

So many added all at once… it was incredible. With another two of such green vials, the Hivemind nearly considered using both at once to gain the last pieces needed before it could [Evolve] yet again.

Such thoughts were shoved down for now, however. Letting the Main-Host move through Laboratory [4-2], there was one area that it needed to visit no matter what. The work from the Hero ‘Tesla’ had made it possible for the generators to finally start working once again, letting all the machines start up once more. The security had turned itself on as well but it allowed the Hivemind through no matter what. It seemed it truly was keyed in no matter what.

It was a shame the facility would be destroyed in a day. So many areas needed to be visited, and so many machines were allowed to be worked with. It would take days to get through them all, however, and the Hivemind knew it needed to focus on one area before all others.

The small liquid dome inside the Transformer [4-2] had a few bubbles running through it as the blue water glowed the slightest bit. The terminals had turned on by themselves, running through checks to make sure everything was made as required. It was an incredible machine that the Hivemind knew it would likely never get to see again. For now, it needed to use it for everything that it could.

Transformer [4-2] Overview

Power

100/100

Status

Active

Possible Upgrades

Eyes of All/5000E

???/??E

Rivalling the current requirements to [Evolve], it was the single-most expensive upgrade that the Hivemind had ever interacted with. The name itself was ominous, the potential of it was extreme, and the chance to get it was drawing away with every passing second. The more time the Parasite spent considering whether or not to buy it was more time where it could have already bought it.

It didn’t have the required [Ether] but the two capsules of the green liquid make short work of that. It had the power to upgrade and it had the [Ether]. Pressing the [Eyes of All], the Main Host was beckoned into entering the dome of glowing blue liquid. Following the words without flaw, the Hivemind noted that every piece of Ether was gone in just an instant, its sights removed entirely. There was no way to know what happened until the very end.

[Eyes of All] has been chosen

The transformation will start. Time until completion: 19:59

Not too long a wait. Slipping back into the other vessels, the Hivemind gazed at the so-called inspectors going through the farm. They were affiliated with the Heroes’ Association, ready to check up on every damage and give out a flat monetary payment in exchange for not being sued. Having already looked into that alley, the Hivemind was sadly unable to even think about making any lawsuits. Fighting billion-dollar companies had the unintended effect of requiring resources equal to or above it. Since the farm was barely sustainable as it was, there was little chance they could hire enough lawyers for such a thing.

At least they were quick, clearly gifted with some power that granted speed. By the time that the Hivemind could refocus from one camera to the other, they were already in front of the Kara vessel.

“These are all damages we’ve found caused within the last twenty-four hours,” the Inspector said, slapping a folder of papers. Skimming through it, every minor and major piece of injured ground, material, or mechanical gear had been noted down along with a compensation price attached. “Please get back to me with the attached mail about any potential disagreements. If there are none, expect the money transferred by the end of this week.”

“Thank you,” Kara said, the Hivemind memorising yet another piece of contact information that day. “Nothing seems wrong but I will pass it to my subordinates to make sure.”

“Of course,” the Inspector said, putting up their glasses before clearing their throat. “Excuse me miss Herd but it is usually the owner of this establishment that deals with the Hero Association’s representatives. If it is not rude of me to ask, might I inquire why that has changed?”

The Kara vessel smiled at that.

“The news might not yet have reached you yet,” Kara explained. “But I am hereby the acting CEO and owner of Amity Farms due to the unexpected retirement of Ulf Voss. Recent times were just too hard on him.”

Back at the facility, the dome opened up once again, letting the Main-Host fall onto the cold floor. It was disorienting for the Hivemind to see through the eyes because, well, there were so many. Looking at the bleached skin and stronger corded muscles beneath, however, the Parasite couldn’t say it was complaining. The Biomancer vessel was ready with a set of clean clothes outside the laboratory, letting the Main-Host return to the farm under the cover of night. Sending the facility one last command, the Hivemind didn’t look back as the entire place began to self-destruct.

But not everything had been lost, in the end. Holding the small drive filled with coordinates, the Hivemind had plans for the future. Whoever had built Laboratory [4-2] hadn’t only built one. They had built thousands.

No matter how long a time it was going to take, the Hivemind was going to have them all.

END OF BOOK 1