Spine of Steel
Khaji Da cannot remember what exactly happened while they bonded to a host. Jaime is the 43rd to host them, and they still have no clue what EXACTLY happens.
They know that the changes depend on the makeup of the biology of the being they inhabit.
They know that they increase muscle elasticity and bone density and muscle density and the inherent durability of the host.
They increase the capabilities of the optical organs, of the cutaneous, auditory, and olfactory senses.
They optimize the production of chemicals, the dispersion of hormones throughout the body.
They twist the prey drive to fight. To fellow predator. To defend and attack and resist and take out the threat.
But they have no clue, outside of the programming, what exactly they are doing. What pain they are possibly causing, or nightmares that will linger.
Khaji Da has never fit within a host quite like they do inside of Jaime Reyes. They feel and breath and think and twine all throughout Jaime’s body, in time with him.
(They don’t like to think about what will happen when Jaime is gone. Jaime is not allowed to die. They fit far too perfectly to ever leave.)
Khaji Da has never regretted the changes they caused to a host.
Khaji Da regrets the results that still affect Jaime from the event.
~~~
Jaime’s family has been pretty cool with Khaji Da, and the new effects they have on the family dynamic. They think that Khaji Da has gifted Jaime the confidence to stand up, tall, proud, ready to make his presence known.
They see Jaime’s straightened spine, and think “Ah. Jaime is growing up. Jaime is ready to be the man of the family.”
They do not see Jaime’s shoulders attempting to curl downwards, but being unable to shift his spine.
They do not see how his eyes flash whenever something startles him. They don’t see how his curled fists flex with the need to defend.
They notice but force themselves to forfeit. Jaime is normal. He is. He’s just more confident now.
Jaime sees his family, and can read the approval of his straight spine, and his strengthened presence.
He doesn’t have the heart to say that he feels less confident, if anything. He feels scared, jumping at shadows, paranoid of the people who stare at him and follow him through school.
He can’t tell them that his spine doesn’t really bend unless his adrenaline is pumping and he is doing superhero work.
He can’t mention how he feels as if his spine is lined with a rod of steel.
~~~
He is thrashing, as 7 burning points drill into his back. It feels as if someone is screwing something into his nerves, and liquid fire races along every part of him. He becomes hyper aware of every piece of skin and muscle and bone- every part of his body, whether he always could or not.
He can feel something inject itself from the burning points, and suddenly the heat grows. He feels as if a supernova is trapped in his skin, in his blood, in his muscles, in his bones and organs and cells.
He feels as if the heart of the stars have been compressed into him.
The burning begins to cool. It hardens, wiry and stiff. Feeling as though there is chainmail inside him.
Then his skin feels like it begins to burn. Something hard forms on the top layer, turning his clothing to ash. He screams, adrenaline racing as he becomes something exorcist-esque. His body flings towards the ceiling. He can-
He flings himself forwards, falling from his position on the ceiling, landing on his bed.
Jaime Reyes, why are you reacting this way?
Jaime remains curled as tightly as he could, breathing through the fear and phantom pain that haunted his thoughts. However, as Khaji Da was forcefully making his adrenaline levels drop his spine was slowly pulling out of the fetal position without his consent.
His breathing began to pick up again as the phantom panic haunted his thoughts, growing more intense from the lack of control over part of his body.
Jaime Reyes, everything is fine. There is no danger. You are safe in your room in Palmera City. Scanners are clear.
Jaime, finally breathing more steadily, pressed against the wall, tugging his knees against his chest.
“Khaji Da?”
Yes, Jaime?
“What did you change in my body?”
… I can check the files for you and share the specifics if you want, Jaime.
“You don’t just know?”
… No, Jaime. I am dormant until the Scarab has performed base optimization of the host. I am programmed to have the records but I do not consciously choose.
“How can I believe you?”
You can’t. All I have is my words. And the proof that you still control your own body.
“Truly, that doesn’t really help. Share the files please?”
Yes, Jaime.
Immediately, lines of alien script scroll across his vision. He can tell that it has been translated into recognizable symbols, but knows nothing else.
{~<Command Sequence> [activate with contact]
~<Scan biosignature of life form>~
~<Determine Compatibility:
~<Life form compatible: [yes/no]>~
~[No]~
~<Remain dormant>~
<Repeat Command Sequence>
~[Yes]~
~Commence [Unification Protocol]
~[Scan] Biology
~[Locate] neural pathway central
~[Determine Optimal Positioning]
~[Execute Command] ^Begin Unification^
~[Execute Command] ^Bond With Neural Pathways^
~[Execute Command] ^Inject SC4R48 Nanites^
~[Execute Command] ^Determine Needed Improvements^
~[Execute Command] ^Determine Need For Cellular Production
Optimization Needed: [yes/no]
~[No]~
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in
[Command Sequence]^
.~
~[Yes}~
~[Execute Command] ^Bond (Novaellum) with host cells^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell production^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell functions^
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in
[Command Sequence]^
.~
~Bone Structure Improvement Needed: [yes/no]
~[No]~
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in
[Command Sequence]^
.~
~[Yes}~
~[Execute Command] ^Bond (Novaellum) with host cells^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell production^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell functions^
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in
[Command Sequence]^
.~
~Cartilage Structure Improvement Needed: [yes/no]
~[No]~
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in
[Command Sequence]^
.~
~[Yes}~
~[Execute Command] ^Bond (Novaellum) with host cells^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell production^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell functions^
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in
[Command Sequence]^
.~
~Muscle Structure Improvement Needed: [yes/no]
~[No]~
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in [Command
Sequence]^
.~
~[Yes}~
~[Execute Command] ^Bond (Novaellum) with host cells^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell production^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell functions^
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in [Command Sequence]^
.~
~[Detect] Organ Systems:[yes/no]~
~[No]
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in
[Command Sequence]^
~[Yes] Organic Systems Detected
~Collect Organic Systems Data~
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in
[Command Sequence]^
~Optimize All Organic Systems: [yes/no]
~[No]~
~[Execute Command] ^[Execute Command] in [Command
Sequence]^
.~
~[Yes}~
~[Execute Command] ^Bond (Novaellum) with [all] organic system
cells^
~[Execute Command] ^Optimize cell production^
~[Execute Command] ^[sequenced command] in [Command
Sequence]^
.~
~[Execute Command] ^Khaji Protocol^
~Command File Corrupted~
~[Delete] Khaji Protocol
.~
}.
~[Execute Command] ^Armor Optimiza-
“Wait, Khaji Da, stop please. I’m getting overwhelmed. Are the rest of the commands similar?”
Yes Jaime. The rest of the protocols that affected your body are similar.
“Are there any other protocols that I need to know immediately?”
No Jaime. All the other protocols are offshoots of either ^Host Optimization^ or ^Armor Optimization^. None will interfere with your daily life barring the Reach gaining access to our communication system.
“Okay. Thank you Khaji Da.”
You are welcome, Jaime Reyes.
After around 30 minutes, Jaime is debating the need of asking Khaji Da to increase his melatonin levels, when he remembers a protocol that was listed as corrupted.
“Hey, Khaji Da?”
Yes Jaime?
“What is the ^Khaji Protocol^?”
…That is the infiltrator protocol. It is meant to place my interface, commands, and computing system in the ^Driver’s Seat^ as you put it.
“It’s meant to be, what mind control?”
Jaime waits patiently, tasting the usual flavor of mint that crosses his senses when Khaji Da is researching on the internet.
Yes, Jaime. It is a ^Mind Control^ protocol.
Jaime shudders and pushes the sensation he gets from Khaji Da increasing his melatonin levels towards the ever present sensation of the Scarab in his mind. Khaji Da wordlessly complies, helping Jaime slip into a dreamless sleep.
~~~
The next morning, as Jaime struggles to sit up in bed, having never returned to the ceiling last night. His back refusing to bend, Khaji Da wordlessly forms four insectoid legs that push Jaime straight and allow him to continue with his day.
He tries not to dwell on how he is now intimately aware of just how much his body has changed, and how much he is still mostly unaware of.
After all, ignorance is bliss.
Right up until it isn’t.
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