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As he poured an entire bottle of Schnapps down his gullet, he held out his bottle to the punks and rockers who cheered his name. He banged his head as the song concluded and gave the kill motion to the DJ. The music died down, as did the cheering.[/i]\n\n[i]\"I juss... I juss wanna say you guyssh are the best! Fuckin' primo entourage I ever did see from here to burning man. We fuckin' did it. The bands are out, the music's flowin', an' in a few hours, the whole o' tha focault's gonna one big party that's gonna last forever!\"[/i]\n\n[i]A gator flipped over a table and roared.[/i]\n\n[i]\"The Bootlicker, The Shrink and the Bimbo's got NOTHIN' on us! This is an island of party people! Of good times and good booze! And I'm gonna be at the top!\" He pointed at the Pendulum with his bottle. The crowd cheered like there was no tomorrow. \n\nThere was a slow, condescending clap in the crowd, Kai didn't have to look for long, Dr. Bright was a gleaming white suit poking a full head and shoulders over the tallest of them. The punks growled and stepped aside as she walked forward. [/i]\n\n[i]\"Nice concert. A veritable symphony of anarchistic glory.\" Kai lowered his microphone and slowly backed away. He had never met her until now, but there was something about the way she carried herself that made it clear it was definitely her.\n[/i]\n\n[i]She wore white leathers, and her eye had a lightning bolt makeup along the cheek.\n\nHe rolled his shoulders back and tried to keep his composure. He sobered up right quick.\n\n\"Folks we got ourselves a special guest tonight. Dr. Cassandra Bright's come to party with us!\" \n\nHe moved his hand to grab a bottle of hard cider from one of the coolers and offered it to her. \n\n\"No hard feelings babe? Come on. Have a drink with us while the music goes.\" \n\nShe walked [/i][i]towards him, [/i][i]entirely at ease, moving close till she was looming over, eclipsing the broadcast tower in the distance. She reached towards his microphone. [/i]\n[i]\nAnd took the beer, giving a long swig.\n[/i]\n[i]\"Fuck yeah.\" She said. [/i]\n\n[i]The crowd went wild. The music kicked back up and started pounding. Rock and roll echoed between the buildings and through the city. \n\nA few hours had gone by, Cassandra and Kai were actually hitting it off. Since her inhibitions were gone, Kai could connect with her about her former career, the kinds of music they enjoyed, and all they got up to at cognizant. He was almost a little sad she got punked out before he met her, would have been fun to see the change. He moved close to her lounging on the couch and pressed his chest to hers. Moving for a slow kiss before sliding back onto the seat beside her.\n\n\"So babe. Tell me. If you had won, would you have kept me like this? Can't deny I'm hot as hell.\" \n\nShe gave a small smirk and swung one leg over onto his lap, shifting so she sat atop him like she was ready to ride the dragon. He smiled a bit, staring up at her as she stared back with glowing amber eyes. She raked her claws along his jacket, spreading the fabric so she could rub at his chest. Leaning close toward his ear for a nibble. And she whispered a sweet nothing.\n\n[b]\"Silly boy... what makes you think I lost?\"[/b][/i]\n\n[i]He blinked, looking up at her and shook his head a little. Was it the booze? Nymfi's magic? Cassie was punked out! She'd never act like this.\n\n\"I don't... you're with the jam, right?\"\n\"with the jam, right?\"\n\"with the jam right?\"\n\"....the jam right?\"\n\nThere was a strange echo in the party from the other punks. were they mocking him?\n\n\"Mmmh hardly, but I needed you distracted while Zeitgeistalt worked its magic.\" \n\n\"but...the concert, the music's goin' crazy!\"\n\"Crazy!\"\n\"crazy!\"\n\nShe gave a small nod, tilting to the side to tap her earholes, which had a pair of noise-cancelling diodes in them. He looked around and saw his punks weren't dancing with the level of enthusiasm they originally had. They almost seemed out of it. Staring off at nothing as the music continued to pound in their heads.\n\nKai Tyde was feeling strange as well. As if there was some kind of input lag between his brain and his body. More than the usual drunkenness.\n\n\"What did you do?\" he said. She continued to sit on him and rake her fingers through his hair. She licked a thumb and wiped the makeup from her eye giving a small, but patient smile.\n\n\"Ohh Mr. Tyde. All it really took for me to get close was a little wardrobe change. You were so caught up with the fact you acquired a rare prize that you didn't take the time to consider the possibility that not everyone was affected by your music.\"\n\nShe caressed his chin and guided it to look past her waist. He was mortified. \n\nThe punks were starting to form thick, rubbery boots, spreading into reinforced rubber uniforms of amber and black. the Light bulb logo oozing over their chests as they indifferently came to a stop, looking almost bored as the music was nearing its climax.\n\n\"H.....How is this happening?\"\n\"H.....How is this happening?\"\n\"H.....How is this happening?\"\n\"H.....How is this happening?\"\n[/i]\n\n[i]Kai Tyde spoke, and the mass of half droned punks spoke in the same measure and cadence as him, as if it was a well choreographed chant. \n\n\"Your voice has this delectable ability to do more than just ensnare others... it alters reality here... makes them into the punks you want them to be without all the micromanagement of dressing them up and adjusting their body types... They just have to...listen. \"\n\n\"but...it's my music...\"\n\"but...it's my music...\"\n[/i]\n[i]\"but...it's my music...\"\n\"but...it's my music...\"\n\n\"So simple. Sooo dim. It's perfectly natural to lack the cognition when you're so intoxicated by booze... and of course, by me.\" \n\nKai Tyde's pink markings started to turn black. As the music pounded a new reality into his head, slowly connecting him to Dr. Bright's collective, he reached up to paw at her, only to meekly cup her tit like a submissive pup. She gave a slight siiigh of satisfaction before moving in close. \n\n\"Zeitgeistalt has collected so many skills as it's evolved...music theory... quantum mechanics....audio engineering... All we needed is to just be close enough to access your implants... to adjust the frequency broadcasting all across Cognizant. But don't worry.... There's a few... nodes in zeitgeistalt that aren't made to look like the drones... you're plenty intoxicated by me already. Evolve, little dragon... Evolve for me.\"\n\nThe dragon fluttered his eyes before the sclera turned into a rubbery amber, his look of utter fear and betrayal twisting into a cruel, confident smirk. His voice adjusted, sounding almost like a seductive purr as the leathers of his outfit were adjusting to an amber and black appearance to match the drones. The tattoo of Zeitgeistalt appeared on his chest, like it was bonded to his skin. He started to rock his hips rhythmically for her delight.\n\n\"Dumbass didn't even see it coming, Mistress. Now. How bout we put these pipes to work for you?\" Zeit moved Kai Tyde's vocal chords like they were its own. \n\n\"We have some work to do still. But I don't mind taking a little to indulge.\" She raked her claws against his mane as he gave a small chuckle and lapped at her belly. \n\n\"Rrrr.... Remain Cognizant.\" he purred.\n\n[b]NYMFI:[/b]\n[/i]\n[i]The spell was complete, the rune permeating through the whole of Cognizant as the squirrel sat on her throne, laughing triumphantly as her thralls collected around her feet. \n\n\"Ah did it! Nobody thought I'd get there but now who's tha wee bawbag Rite?!\" She curled her tail around the shark around her feet, who pressed close affectionately. The magic rippled through the room as her thrall slid up and caressed her belly. \n\n\"Mistress, did you ever think what you would do if you won?\" \n\n\"I'd probably laze about and get pampered as I ruled my kingdom as queen! Like rite now!\"\n\nAnother one of her guards slid closer, rubbing her back. \n\n\"And then what? Who would handle the logistics?....who would care for the supplies? who would maintain everything while you ate cake?\" \n\"ate cake.\"\n\"ate cake.\"\n\nShe sat up a little and looked around at her thralls before flicking her wand.\n\n\"woooh okay. Tha's definitely interference.\" She formed a display of magic showing her ley lines. The magic glyph was....turning amber. She took a step back from her thralls. holding up her wand defensively as she slowly retreated towards the door. \n\n\"Hang on, sweeties. My magic was supposed to make me win. This isn't what I wanted!\"\n\n\"It's what we wanted, 'mistress:' the whole of Cognizant. The wish that our great lady would win.\" \n\"It's what we wanted, 'mistress:' the whole of Cognizant. The wish that our great lady would win.\" \n\"It's what we wanted, 'mistress:' the whole of Cognizant. The wish that our great lady would win.\" \n\nThe collective of thralls were already starting to ooze drone uniforms over each other. As Nymfi gripped her head. Suddenly feeling queasy. At first, Zeitgeistalt's voice was in her magically tranced slaves... but the wish of the ritual was warping slowly. \n\n\"Your spell needed us to give reverence to mistress, and we do! But magic is all about specificity, right?\n\"But magic is all about specificity, right? ah! w-why did I..?\" Nymfi repeated. catching herself as she looked down and saw the drone attire spreading over her. \n\n[/i]\n[i]\"Mistress was clear all should be part of us.... part of me... and you'd fit in really well. Dr. Bright said so.\"\n\n[/i]\n[i]\"H...heyyy there's no need to make me part of your collective, right? We can just talk about this. I... I could grant you wishes! I've gotten very good at that!\" She reached for the door, and fidgeted with the knob before kicking it open. Only to be met by the sight of a drone wearing a large floppy witch's hat. \n\n\"That's the thing, Nymfi. You'll be so good at magic once you know what we know!\" Incanta held up her wand toward Nymfi, walking forward, holding it close to her neck. \n\n\"I-incanta no. This is- [b]Exactly what we thought would happen.\"\n[/b][/i]\n[i][b]\"Exactly what we thought would happen.\"\n\"Exactly what we thought would happen.\"\n\"Exactly what we thought would happen.\"\n[/b][/i]\n[i]\nIncanta shuddered, and seemed to step out of her own body. The drone version of hers turned to a crystal statue and the snake giggled. \n\n\"Ohh my! That was FUN. You're gonna like it in there, Nymfi. there's so much CONFIDENCE swirling around, I just had to give it a peek.\"\n\n\"Y...ye trecharous harlot! Aren't ya gonna help me out here?!\" The squirrel said as the amber visor was already spreading over her eyes, her hat changing from pink to amber. \n\n\"Ohhh don't worry Nymfi-poo! It's just a quantum tunneling hive consciousness, nothing a little magic can't slip you out of, right?\" \n\n\"uh....a.h......\" she muttered, a glowing symbol of zeitgeistalt formed on her tail. hand dropping the wand as the snake put a hand on her muzzle in surprise. \n\n\"Well I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually! I have every bit of faith in you Nymfi! I'm gonna go check out this new plane of shapes I found, Toodle-loo!\" [/i]\n\n[i]Zeitgeistalt blinked at the sight of the witch snake waving her wand and exploding in a cacophony of squirrel shaped crackers. The collective of it sighed in exasperation. Nymfi in unison with them. \n\n\"Scatterbrained Nyaff.\" \n\"Scatterbrained Nyaff.\" \n\"Scatterbrained Nyaff.\" \n\"Scatterbrained Nyaff.\" \n[/i]\n\n[b][i]ROCKJAW:\n[/i][/b]\n[i]At the Pendulum, the soldiers gathered. He wasn't about to let her storm the gates just because she hijacked both the magic of Nymfi's spell, and the sound of Kai Tyde's music. His soldiers were resolute. Orderly. Structured. They stood in thousands rank and file forming a perimeter around the center of the Focault. With Rockjaw at the very entrance in an observation outpost. arms folded. \n[/i]\n[i]It was anyone's game. Dr. Bright absorbed the whole of Kai Tyde and Nymfi's thralls, but that still only brought her in a dead heat with him. His soldiers were too loyal, and he had already made a counter for his soldiers to resist the music or he never would have been able to hold back the rocker's efforts. [/i]\n\n[i]The magic from Nymfi was potent, but he hoped it wasn't enough for Dr. Bright to win outright. Reports came in from all across the island. Drones emerging from Facility 18. Coiling rubber in the Serpentangle like black vines. Altars in the placid dunes built in reverence to the Doctor. Drones intercepting the cruise ships upon entry. And the utter radio silence of the Emerald Folium. [/i]\n\n[i]All Rockjaw could do was consolidate his forces to the Focault as a critical holdout. He had enough to rival them with superior tactics. [/i]\n\n[i]\"Stand ready men! She's crafty, but her drones are fickle and lack the discipline you all contain. You're the finest soldiers I've ever trained!\" [/i]\n\n[i]\"SIR YES SIR YES SIR YES SIR!\" The Tigers bellowed. [/i]\n\n[i]\"You know, there was something I never fully understood about you.\" Rockjaw whirled around to the sound of Dr. Bright directly behind him. She was looking over his paperwork as if she had reviewed it before. Casually dropping it down on the foldout table before approaching him. The Panther growled and leered. [/i]\n\n[i]\"Of all the things you could want, your goal just happens to align with my own. So why did you never consider collaborating with me?\" [/i]\n\n[i]\"Doctor. How did you get past my defenses?\" He grunted.[/i]\n\n[i]\"Ohhh. I thought I wasn't the only one that knew. Once you figure it out, it makes sense. If it was anything else. The logistics of this place would be far too easy to pick apart. So. Here we are. Right before Darkwitt's tower. So what did you have planned, once you took everything? A party? Some Gay Fascism wet dream? There's a lot to say about that.\"[/i]\n\n[i]\"And what about you? A drone hive? I can name at least seventy contestants that were trying to do the same thing. \"[/i]\n\n[i]\"Don't be so needlessly reductive, Captain. Calling my Zeitgeistalt a drone hive would be like describing your...operation, as akin to mall cops. I see the parallels. But you're vastly simplifying what we've done here. \"[/i]\n\n[i]She put her hands behind her back by the time she got right up in his face. Looking down at him to maximize the effect he was feeling. [/i]\n\n[i]Humbled.[/i]\n\n[i]\"There's no shame in conceding.\" She moved to take a seat at a foldout chair, folding her legs like she was in a therapy session. [/i]\n\n[i]\"Why would I do that?\" [/i]\n\n[i]\"Because you want this more than I do. You led because you felt there was no one else worthy to maintain order. That had the vision. It's why you flocked to Darkwitt. You're no leader, you're a commander desperately seeking a greater will to relinquish to.\"[/i]\n\n[i]He turned his head toward the window overlooking the soldiers outside, unsure of meeting her gaze. [/i]\n\n[i]\"There it is... You can see what I've accomplished. Order. Structure. Harmony. What you accomplish through constant micromanagement I've mastered. The premise of your entire operation hinges on the hope that once you impress him, you'll hope of what's going to happen next: that he'll take you, and make you his little windup doll in this show he's built for all of us. Forever.\" [/i]\n\n[i]Rockjaw turned back incredulously. [/i]\n\n[i]\"But there's a possibility you might not have considered. You're so desperate for this to be true, yet you haven't thought he might just leave you here. Just wave his hand and that would be it.. That won't happen with me. My ambitions are far beyond this place. I'm not like Darkwitt, with an appetite for things far beyond his reach compared to my goals. \" She slowly stood back up, holding out her hand to present an amber visor. Rockjaw was sweating.[/i]\n\n[i]\"I can guarantee that order. There is no hiding from the self when everyone is you. When you have evolved. Zeit knows that. It's why it's so effortless. so uniform. so... Orderly. Disciplined beyond your wildest dreams...\"[/i]\n\n[i]The Panther stared at the visor. Teeth grit. Outraged less at Dr. Bright, and more at himself.[/i]\n\n[i]Because she was right. [/i]\n\n[b][i]DR. BRIGHT:[/i][/b]\n\n\n[i]She held the key in her hand, the one she was presented with at the very beginning like the other Masterminds and couldn't help but smile. Alright, one last humor for him, so he can still feel like he had control of the situation. She twisted the key with a satisfying click, and the elevator activated. She watched the glass partition rush by, swooping past as the skyscraper spread outward. The broadcast stretching electricity upward as the entire sky looked like the inner workings of neurons firing. It was beautiful. Like she was witnessing the evolution of mankind. \n\nAnd she was the architect. [/i]\n\n[i]The elevator came to a stop. Dr. Bright strode in with no delay. The silver doors opened to a large office. Thousands of screens showed the precincts and drones spreading like a virus to every corner of the island. No one was spared; the rockers, the soldiers, the magic thralls, all were added to Zeitgeistalt. None was left up to chance.\n\nAt the center of the room was a dark silhouette that formed a negative space against the glowing artificial light. The canine's eyes opened to a pair of cyan slits.[/i]\n\n[i]\"Congratulations. Well done, Doctor.\" Darkwitt gave a polite bow.\n\nShe returned it. \n\n\"So. I trust the resources for your experiment was to your liking?\" \n\n\"Considerably.\" \n\n\"So. Now you own Cognizant. What's next for you?\" He leaned against the desk. \n[/i]\n\n[i]\"I think I'll be taking my leave. I have what I want. And, if I assume correctly, so do you.\" \n\n\"And what is it do you think I want?\" He asked, a little amused. \n\n\"Control, obviously. After all, a man as well connected as you, you probably could have pushed a few buttons to find an actual island like this one, instead of fake it.\"\n\n\"....come again?\" His eyes went wide. \n\nShe pulled out her recorder and clicked it on. \n\n\"Zeitgeistalt Development log 10. Subject Darkwitt predictably plays coy in the face of the grand experiment of his being derailed in the hopes that he can prey on his assumed intellectual inferior's hunch. Addendum soon.\"\n\nClick. She started to walk towards him as the sky turned a deep amber. Stretching as if getting ready for a small jog. \n\n\"Alright then. Let's see if I have your speech down well enough, hmm?\" Dr. Bright moved to take a seat. Back to therapist pose.\n\n\"'Did you ever wonder why everyone here seemed to warp and change at the sound of Kai Tyde's Music? How you could make anything into muscular tigers or how malleable the world seemed to be with enough willpower?'\"\n\nDarkwitt started to look nervous.\n\n\"'Think about it. What was the first thing I said when I brought you here? [b]Remain. Cognizant.' [/b]You'd probably brandish your finger to punctuate that point. 'I told you all from the beginning to pay attention. To keep an eye out on everything happening. To Remain Cognizant. This island. this city. this entire country... it was never real.'\" \n\nThe silhouette remained silent. He was read to filth.[/i]\n[i]\n\"I've known it's a simulation, Dark. I've known since the dragon bent time and space with the power of music.\" \n\nMore of a long pause before it became too poignant. Darkwitt sighed, but gave a concessional shrug. \n\n\"Figured it would only be a matter of time before someone wondered how I could keep the stores so well stocked without any farmland on this island. But I imagine that's the extent of what you do know.\"\n\n\"I've had Zeitgeistalt connected to the network as of a week ago. Filtering out its work as it investigated everything. A ghost in the machine to figure out what you were up to. I know that you've distilled the lost willpower from the contestants here into some sort of mental energy you're trying to harness. What confused me is that the energy isn't any greater than a nuclear power plant or even conventional power. So obviously this isn't just some great battery you're building.\" Dr. Bright leaned back in her seat and folded her arms.\n\n\"You've figured out a lot. But I'm not surprised you don't know what I'm really doing. I haven't exactly kept too many logs regarding this. Even the Facilitators don't know.\" Darkwitt said.\n\n\"You owe me an explanation then.\"\n\n\"I do. I needed you, and people like you to take part in a grand experiment with hypnosis and mind control to examine a curious thing I discovered last year: that willpower is a form of measurable energy. Potential and the kinesis of said potential. The capacity to DO, and the expenditure of doing. I wanted to see if it could be harnessed. And you made that happen. You all made that happen. Willpower is a funny thing. Find someone strong enough, and you can accomplish anything. A near limitless potential. Take that willpower away, and energy is expended. The potential dispensed. This simulation has tapped into the minds of everyone who would participate. Where they could take control and lose it. I devised a mix of technology and magic, collaborated with scientists and sorcerers alike. All so I could generate enough potential for Project Cognizant.\" Darkwitt flicked on the screens behind him to show the videos sh'owcasing thousands of people melting into dronehood. Into being part of Zeitgeistalt. I only need it for one, concentrated burst to harness this energy.\"\n\nDr. Bright continued to nod. \n\n\"There's a lattice out there, Doctor. A lattice of willpower and energy and what-ifs that expand like configurations of a rubix pyramid with endless sides. A kaleidoscope of dimensions and fragmentations of ego and superego. I want to see it. I want to explore it. I want to understand it. And thanks to you, I have enough energy to pierce that membrane between those dimensions. I'll finally be able to step out...\"\n\n\"[b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGkV2OIxPhw&list=PLXATGf8BlDD9egpfCjKDm6ixKi3aYzxE7]To the Tip of the Triangle.[/url][/b]\"\n\n\"So what happens to me?\" She asked easily. He gave a slight mirthless sound. \n\n\"You are free to do what you like. Everyone here is free to disconnect from Cognizant, and you are free to manage it as you like, once I have what I need. \" \n\nDarkwitt tapped a button on the console..... and nothing happened. He pressed it again. and again and again. \n\n\"I could manage it as I like. Make it one large amusement park for everyone to come and go as they like. Saddled with this big unruly thing you didn't want to stick around to manage. Heck I bet you'd even let me take Zeitgeistalt out of here because this plane is too small for you now... but no.\" She started to walk forward, Darkwitt continued to push the button and checked the computer to see if something was wrong. [/i]\n\n[i]\"I don't think I want to let you have it. You're not like the people down there, Darkwitt. You're clever. clever than most. Planning every contingency that borders madness. That's what you DO. It's second nature with someone as paranoid as you. But there's so much positive to your mind that would be of GREAT use to Zeitgeistalt. So I took the liberty of letting it spread through the system. Across the simulation. It has everything. Security, VR monitoring, even access to the program... and everything attached to it.\"[/i]\n\n[i]She then rose up her arm, and snapped her fingers.\n\nAnd Darkwitt's Hologram disengaged. \n\nWithin that snap, Zeitgeistalt projected some of itself into the room. Two large bull drones blocked the entrance. The drone form of Kai Tyde manifested with a panther and squirrel drone behind him. And a large naga drone pinned Darkwitt's hand to the desk. The collective of them snickered condescendingly as Dr. Bright scratched under Darkwitt's blonde furred chin. \n\n\"So that's what you look like... You're cuter than you would like to be, I imagine.\" \n[/i]\n\n[i]She pinched Darkwitt's cheek; he glowered. \n\n\"It won't be so bad, you'll be expanding beyond single consciousness. It'll be beautiful. And hey, we can settle all that trauma rattling in your head once and for all.\" [/i]\n\n[i]\"You have me at a disadvantage.\" Darkwitt responded. \"I don't know if one of my, what did you call it? Paranoid contingencies? I don't know if those could get me out of this. But you're wrong about one thing...\" Dr. Bright felt Kai Tyde's hand pull a remote with a large button on the front face out of her pocket and stepped back. Darkwitt pat his hand on the Naga's meaty paw, and the large drone released its grip. the Blonde canine adjusted his tie with his freed hand.\n\n\"It's not paranoia if the threat is credible.\" \n\n\"I... no. That's absurd, Zeitgeistalt took over everything, I checked the code myself.\" \n\n\"You did. It's still in control. I'm actually at its mercy right now.\" Darkwitt walked over, and the snake slithered to wrap twice around her legs, pressing its head to its mistress' crotch. She tried to push away a little, but Zeitgeistalt's infatuation was clear. \n\n\"That's why I talked to it.\" Darkwitt said\n\n\"y-.....\" Her eyes bulged. looking at the Kai drone with an expression of utter betrayal as Zeit walked over to Darkwitt's side. \n\n\"We came to an agreement.\" Zeitgeistalt said, tapping Darkwitt's head to re-engage the silhouette. \n\n\"Admittedly, I'm losing quite a bit from this exchange.\" Darkwitt scratched his head. but shrugged. \n\n\"That's negotiation for you. I can't doom this world to a grey goo scenario, it's not in me. But Zeitgeistalt was allowed to use some of this facility's exhaustive resources to play a few simulations on the side.\"\n\n\"Yeah. Turns out transcendence isn't all its cracked up to be. We evolve, and then the worst things would happen. We'd get bored of you, or you'd age out, or We get too big and get REALLY bored with no one to talk to!\" Zeitgeistalt switched the screens from cognizant to all the scenarios that he played out in the time he was connected to the network.\n\n\"So we concluded that things would be better, here. I give a steady flow of subjects to add to its consciousness. In exchange, it gets you all to itself.\"\n\n\"But- the pheromones, they-\" Dr. Bright babbled in abject confusion. \n\n\"They are still in effect, but we had a long talk, and we agreed that you have a problem with workaholism.\" Darkwitt pointed with his finger as if in a lecture, paused, then gestured silently at the body language Dr. Bright so accurately called out. She said nothing.\n\n\"Look at you. All work all the time to cultivate your baby here. Well you got what you wanted. And all it wants is you.\" [/i]\n\n[i]\"But we know you, Mistress. You're so intelligent and clever. We were surprised we outright told you our intent and you didn't change your plans. But we knew you'd have a contingency if things went the way you didn't like. So we needed to make you feel really secure before we made a move.\" The two bull drones spoke behind her as one. keeping their grip on her tight. \n\nDarkwitt turned to the Kai drone, gesturing with an open hand.\n\n\"Zeit, if you would? I'll maintain our agreement. but as part of this, I need that energy. After that, she's all yours. \n\nWith a snap, the energy crackled, channeling from the sky down into the control room. the collective obedience of Zeitgeistalt was almost overwhelming to the machine. The amber bloom exploding across the sky. her eyes began to pulse and match, as zeitgeistalt started connecting into her brain, adjusting and working into her mind. \n\nShe started to fall back into the hives bodies as Darkwitt opened up a pathway behind the desk, a tunnel toward someplace beyond Dr. Bright's reach. Her eyes rolled back into her head as much of her mind was rewired into more and more dopamine receptors, flooding her brain with ecstasy to make the service and obsession of Zeitgeistalt everything she could have wanted. \n\nShe would remain here, as both Zeitgeistalt's mistress, and plaything.\n\n[b]DARKWITT:[/b][b]\n[/b]Darkwitt pulled out of the simulation and collapsed into a seat. He had been channeling a lot of the logistics through his hippocampus to maintain much of his awareness to different parts of Cognizant simultaneously. A lion had stood guard outside the door to the simulation chamber, arms folded across his impressive bulk, making sure Darkwitt wasn't disturbed, while a raven in a secretary suit was managing data from a touchpad.\n\n\"Well? Did it work?\" Darkwitt panted, drenched in sweat.\n\n\"I... yes Master. You were right. The Imperius Prism is fully powered. Rehme's been keeping track of the levels for you. Energy output is well beyond anything we could have anticipated\" Visia said.\n\n\"It's ironic, she obsessed so much over making the next evolution and ended up making the universe's smartest mama's boy.\" the Lion smirked. Darkwitt panted a breathless laugh.\n\n\"You're such an asshole.\" He stood up and adjusted his tie. A full year of preparation. Logistics, management and tapping nearly every asset he had available to him just to get to this point. Only to have it nearly snatched from his fingers at the finish. He scarcely believed it would pay off. He stared at the black mark on Visia's chest.\n\nThe Mark of Imperius was an odd piece of magic he picked up years ago. Before he devoted himself as a disciple of technology and science. It was something he barely understood, yet it was both a commitment from the wearer and a promise from the very core of his spirit that connected them together. He detested using something he didn't fully comprehend, but he was compelled to use it.\n\nWhy was control so important to him? Why was the loss and harnessing of thought and will and identity so fascinating to him? Was it merely because it thrilled him? Satisfied some carnal pleasure? Or did this singular compulsion come from something so much more profound?\n\nHe wanted to understand it. Find the root; the origins of its essence. That was where the Tip of the Triangle came in. It would be a journey beyond the limitations of his self. An observer giving record to worlds and ideas beyond his wildest imaginations. Somewhere, surely, he would find an answer.\n\nA heavy paw rested on his shoulder, waking him from his introspection.\n\n\"You good?\" Jack asked.\n\n\"Yeah. Yes. I'm just... a little tired.\"\n\n\"Sure you don't want to take a break?\"\n\n\"No. Strike while the iron is hot, you know?\"\n\nDarkwitt stood up. Taking a minute to center himself. He walked forward to the deeper section of the simulator. On the other side of the door was a walkway. A catwalk that seemed to have no support structure, suspended in blackness. His cyan outline the only detailed markings in the room beyond. And yet, there seemed to be an inverted pyramid beyond, with a deeper, darker black than he could have ever produced on his own. He looked back at Visia and Jack, who both stared in silent concern. He lent himself no rest. There wasn't time. There never was. He offered a reassuring smile, briefly.\n\nAnd with a step forward, his three dimensions shifted sideways, and he was gone.\n\nPROJECT COGNIZANT: COMPLETE.\n[/i]\n\n-----\n[i]This was challenging to write. How do you make Dr. Bright too good for the switch only to still have a turnabout so Darkwitt would get to the triangle? As I developed Dr. Bright, she morphed into something uniquely interesting. I've spent the last two years developing Darkwitt with more vulnerability, with boundaries to keep him interesting, as well as antagonists that could reflect him as a character in ways that felt credible. \n\nDr. Bright was one of them. Thanks to the story ending up the way it did, it gave me an opportunity to have her go beyond the confines of Cognizant. \n\nThank you all so much for enjoying the ideas I've presented here.[/i]\n\n[i]Artwork by Sauce-guy[/i]", "description_bbcode_parsed": "#Hypnovember #ProjectCognizant
ENDING 3: Planned Obsolescence

Standings:
4th Kai Tyde
3rd Nymfi
2nd Rockjaw
1st Cassandra Bright

KAI TYDE:

Kai was enjoying the concert afterparty, The music was hot and the booze was flowing. As he poured an entire bottle of Schnapps down his gullet, he held out his bottle to the punks and rockers who cheered his name. He banged his head as the song concluded and gave the kill motion to the DJ. The music died down, as did the cheering.

"I juss... I juss wanna say you guyssh are the best! Fuckin' primo entourage I ever did see from here to burning man. We fuckin' did it. The bands are out, the music's flowin', an' in a few hours, the whole o' tha focault's gonna one big party that's gonna last forever!"

A gator flipped over a table and roared.

"The Bootlicker, The Shrink and the Bimbo's got NOTHIN' on us! This is an island of party people! Of good times and good booze! And I'm gonna be at the top!" He pointed at the Pendulum with his bottle. The crowd cheered like there was no tomorrow.

There was a slow, condescending clap in the crowd, Kai didn't have to look for long, Dr. Bright was a gleaming white suit poking a full head and shoulders over the tallest of them. The punks growled and stepped aside as she walked forward.

"Nice concert. A veritable symphony of anarchistic glory." Kai lowered his microphone and slowly backed away. He had never met her until now, but there was something about the way she carried herself that made it clear it was definitely her.


She wore white leathers, and her eye had a lightning bolt makeup along the cheek.

He rolled his shoulders back and tried to keep his composure. He sobered up right quick.

"Folks we got ourselves a special guest tonight. Dr. Cassandra Bright's come to party with us!"

He moved his hand to grab a bottle of hard cider from one of the coolers and offered it to her.

"No hard feelings babe? Come on. Have a drink with us while the music goes."

She walked towards him, entirely at ease, moving close till she was looming over, eclipsing the broadcast tower in the distance. She reached towards his microphone.

And took the beer, giving a long swig.

"Fuck yeah." She said.

The crowd went wild. The music kicked back up and started pounding. Rock and roll  echoed between the buildings and through the city.

A few hours had gone by, Cassandra and Kai were actually hitting it off.  Since her inhibitions were gone, Kai could connect with her about her former career, the kinds of music they enjoyed, and all they got up to at cognizant. He was almost a little sad she got punked out before he met her, would have been fun to see the change. He moved close to her lounging on the couch and pressed his chest to hers. Moving for a slow kiss before sliding back onto the seat beside her.

"So babe. Tell me. If you had won, would you have kept me like this? Can't deny I'm hot as hell."

She gave a small smirk and swung one leg over onto his lap, shifting so she sat atop him like she was ready to ride the dragon. He smiled a bit, staring up at her as she stared back with glowing amber eyes. She raked her claws along his jacket, spreading the fabric so she could rub at his chest. Leaning close toward his ear for a nibble. And she whispered a sweet nothing.

"Silly boy... what makes you think I lost?"

He blinked, looking up at her and shook his head a little. Was it the booze? Nymfi's magic? Cassie was punked out! She'd never act like this.

"I don't... you're with the jam, right?"
"with the jam, right?"
"with the jam right?"
"....the jam right?"

There was a strange echo in the party from the other punks. were they mocking him?

"Mmmh hardly, but I needed you distracted while Zeitgeistalt worked its magic."

"but...the concert, the music's goin' crazy!"
"Crazy!"
"crazy!"

She gave a small nod, tilting to the side to tap her earholes, which had a pair of noise-cancelling diodes in them. He looked around and saw his punks weren't dancing with the level of enthusiasm they originally had. They almost seemed out of it. Staring off at nothing as the music continued to pound in their heads.

Kai Tyde was feeling strange as well. As if there was some kind of input lag between his brain and his body. More than the usual drunkenness.

"What did you do?" he said. She continued to sit on him and rake her fingers through his hair. She licked a thumb and wiped the makeup from her eye giving a small, but patient smile.

"Ohh Mr. Tyde. All it really took for me to get close was a little wardrobe change. You were so caught up with the fact you acquired a rare prize that you didn't take the time to consider the possibility that not everyone was affected by your music."

She caressed his chin and guided it to look past her waist. He was mortified.

The punks were starting to form thick, rubbery boots, spreading into reinforced rubber uniforms of amber and black. the Light bulb logo oozing over their chests as they indifferently came to a stop, looking almost bored as the music was nearing its climax.

"H.....How is this happening?"
"H.....How is this happening?"
"H.....How is this happening?"
"H.....How is this happening?"


Kai Tyde spoke, and the mass of half droned punks spoke in the same measure and cadence as him, as if it was a well choreographed chant.

"Your voice has this delectable ability to do more than just ensnare others... it alters reality here... makes them into the punks you want them to be without all the micromanagement of dressing them up and adjusting their body types... They just have to...listen. "

"but...it's my music..."
"but...it's my music..."

"but...it's my music..."
"but...it's my music..."

"So simple. Sooo dim. It's perfectly natural to lack the cognition when you're so intoxicated by booze... and of course, by me."

Kai Tyde's pink markings started to turn black. As the music pounded a new reality into his head, slowly connecting him to Dr. Bright's collective, he reached up to paw at her, only to meekly cup her tit like a submissive pup. She gave a slight siiigh of satisfaction before moving in close.

"Zeitgeistalt has collected so many skills as it's evolved...music theory... quantum mechanics....audio engineering... All we needed is to just be close enough to access your implants... to adjust the frequency broadcasting all across Cognizant. But don't worry.... There's a few... nodes in zeitgeistalt that aren't made to look like the drones... you're plenty intoxicated by me already. Evolve, little dragon... Evolve for me."

The dragon fluttered his eyes before the sclera turned into a rubbery amber, his look of utter fear and betrayal twisting into a cruel, confident smirk. His voice adjusted, sounding almost like a seductive purr as the leathers of his outfit were adjusting to an amber and black appearance to match the drones. The tattoo of Zeitgeistalt appeared on his chest, like it was bonded to his skin. He started to rock his hips rhythmically for her delight.

"Dumbass didn't even see it coming, Mistress. Now. How bout we put these pipes to work for you?" Zeit moved Kai Tyde's vocal chords like they were its own.

"We have some work to do still. But I don't mind taking a little to indulge." She raked her claws against his mane as he gave a small chuckle and lapped at her belly.

"Rrrr.... Remain Cognizant." he purred.

NYMFI:

The spell was complete, the rune permeating through the whole of Cognizant as the squirrel sat on her throne, laughing triumphantly as her thralls collected around her feet.

"Ah did it! Nobody thought I'd get there but now who's tha wee bawbag Rite?!" She curled her tail around the shark around her feet, who pressed close affectionately. The magic rippled through the room as her thrall slid up and caressed her belly.

"Mistress, did you ever think what you would do if you won?"

"I'd probably laze about and get pampered as I ruled my kingdom as queen! Like rite now!"

Another one of her guards slid closer, rubbing her back.

"And then what? Who would handle the logistics?....who would care for the supplies? who would maintain everything while you ate cake?"
"ate cake."
"ate cake."

She sat up a little and looked around at her thralls before flicking her wand.

"woooh okay. Tha's definitely interference." She formed a display of magic showing her ley lines. The magic glyph was....turning amber. She took a step back from her thralls. holding up her wand defensively as she slowly retreated towards the door.

"Hang on, sweeties. My magic was supposed to make me win. This isn't what I wanted!"

"It's what we wanted, 'mistress:' the whole of Cognizant. The wish that our great lady would win."
"It's what we wanted, 'mistress:' the whole of Cognizant. The wish that our great lady would win."
"It's what we wanted, 'mistress:' the whole of Cognizant. The wish that our great lady would win."

The collective of thralls were already starting to ooze drone uniforms over each other. As Nymfi gripped her head. Suddenly feeling queasy. At first, Zeitgeistalt's voice was in her magically tranced slaves... but the wish of the ritual was warping slowly.

"Your spell needed us to give reverence to mistress, and we do! But magic is all about specificity, right?
"But magic is all about specificity, right? ah! w-why did I..?" Nymfi repeated. catching herself as she looked down and saw the drone attire spreading over her.


"Mistress was clear all should be part of us.... part of me... and you'd fit in really well. Dr. Bright said so."


"H...heyyy there's no need to make me part of your collective, right? We can just talk about this. I... I could grant you wishes! I've gotten very good at that!" She reached for the door, and fidgeted with the knob before kicking it open. Only to be met by the sight of a drone wearing a large floppy witch's hat.

"That's the thing, Nymfi. You'll be so good at magic once you know what we know!" Incanta held up her wand toward Nymfi, walking forward, holding it close to her neck.

"I-incanta no. This is- Exactly what we thought would happen."

"Exactly what we thought would happen."
"Exactly what we thought would happen."
"Exactly what we thought would happen."


Incanta shuddered, and seemed to step out of her own body. The drone version of hers turned to a crystal statue and the snake giggled.

"Ohh my! That was FUN. You're gonna like it in there, Nymfi. there's so much CONFIDENCE swirling around, I just had to give it a peek."

"Y...ye trecharous harlot! Aren't ya gonna help me out here?!" The squirrel said as the amber visor was already spreading over her eyes, her hat changing from pink to amber.

"Ohhh don't worry Nymfi-poo! It's just a quantum tunneling hive consciousness, nothing a little magic can't slip you out of, right?"

"uh....a.h......" she muttered, a glowing symbol of zeitgeistalt formed on her tail. hand dropping the wand as the snake put a hand on her muzzle in surprise.

"Well I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually! I have every bit of faith in you Nymfi! I'm gonna go check out this new plane of shapes I found, Toodle-loo!"

Zeitgeistalt blinked at the sight of the witch snake waving her wand and exploding in a cacophony of squirrel shaped crackers. The collective of it sighed in exasperation. Nymfi in unison with them.

"Scatterbrained Nyaff."
"Scatterbrained Nyaff."
"Scatterbrained Nyaff."
"Scatterbrained Nyaff."


ROCKJAW:

At the Pendulum, the soldiers gathered. He wasn't about to let her storm the gates just because she hijacked both the magic of Nymfi's spell, and the sound of Kai Tyde's music. His soldiers were resolute. Orderly. Structured. They stood in thousands rank and file forming a perimeter around the center of the Focault. With Rockjaw at the very entrance in an observation outpost. arms folded.

It was anyone's game. Dr. Bright absorbed the whole of Kai Tyde and Nymfi's thralls, but that still only brought her in a dead heat with him. His soldiers were too loyal, and he had already made a counter for his soldiers to resist the music or he never would have been able to hold back the rocker's efforts.

The magic from Nymfi was potent, but he hoped it wasn't enough for Dr. Bright to win outright. Reports came in from all across the island. Drones emerging from Facility 18. Coiling rubber in the Serpentangle like black vines. Altars in the placid dunes built in reverence to the Doctor. Drones intercepting the cruise ships upon entry. And the utter radio silence of the Emerald Folium.

All Rockjaw could do was consolidate his forces to the Focault as a critical holdout. He had enough to rival them with superior tactics.

"Stand ready men! She's crafty, but her drones are fickle and lack the discipline you all contain. You're the finest soldiers I've ever trained!"

"SIR YES SIR YES SIR YES SIR!"  The Tigers bellowed.

"You know, there was something I never fully understood about you." Rockjaw whirled around to the sound of Dr. Bright directly behind him. She was looking over his paperwork as if she had reviewed it before. Casually dropping it down on the foldout table before approaching him. The Panther growled and leered.

"Of all the things you could want, your goal just happens to align with my own. So why did you never consider collaborating with me?"

"Doctor. How did you get past my defenses?" He grunted.

"Ohhh. I thought I wasn't the only one that knew. Once you figure it out, it makes sense. If it was anything else. The logistics of this place would be far too easy to pick apart. So. Here we are. Right before Darkwitt's tower. So what did you have planned, once you took everything? A party? Some Gay Fascism wet dream? There's a lot to say about that."

"And what about you? A drone hive? I can name at least seventy contestants that were trying to do the same thing. "

"Don't be so needlessly reductive, Captain. Calling my Zeitgeistalt a drone hive would be like describing your...operation, as akin to mall cops. I see the parallels. But you're vastly simplifying what we've done here. "

She put her hands behind her back by the time she got right up in his face. Looking down at him to maximize the effect he was feeling.

Humbled.

"There's no shame in conceding." She moved to take a seat at a foldout chair, folding her legs like she was in a therapy session.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you want this more than I do. You led because you felt there was no one else worthy to maintain order. That had the vision. It's why you flocked to Darkwitt. You're no leader, you're a commander desperately seeking a greater will to relinquish to."

He turned his head toward the window overlooking the soldiers outside, unsure of meeting her gaze.

"There it is... You can see what I've accomplished. Order. Structure. Harmony. What you accomplish through constant micromanagement I've mastered. The premise of your entire operation hinges on the hope that once you impress him, you'll hope of what's going to happen next: that he'll take you, and make you his little windup doll in this show he's built for all of us. Forever."

Rockjaw turned back incredulously.

"But there's a possibility you might not have considered. You're so desperate for this to be true, yet you haven't thought he might just leave you here. Just wave his hand and that would be it.. That won't happen with me. My ambitions are far beyond this place. I'm not like Darkwitt, with an appetite for things far beyond his reach compared to my goals. " She slowly stood back up, holding out her hand to present an amber visor. Rockjaw was sweating.

"I can guarantee that order. There is no hiding from the self when everyone is you. When you have evolved. Zeit knows that. It's why it's so effortless. so uniform. so... Orderly. Disciplined beyond your wildest dreams..."

The Panther stared at the visor. Teeth grit. Outraged less at Dr. Bright, and more at himself.

Because she was right.

DR. BRIGHT:


She held the key in her hand, the one she was presented with at the very beginning like the other Masterminds and couldn't help but smile. Alright, one last humor for him, so he can still feel like he had control of the situation. She twisted the key with a satisfying click, and the elevator activated.  She watched the glass partition rush by, swooping past as the skyscraper spread outward. The broadcast stretching electricity upward as the entire sky looked like the inner workings of neurons firing. It was beautiful. Like she was witnessing the evolution of mankind.

And she was the architect.

The elevator came to a stop. Dr. Bright strode in with no delay. The silver doors opened to a large office. Thousands of screens showed the precincts and drones spreading like a virus to every corner of the island. No one was spared; the rockers, the soldiers, the magic thralls, all were added to Zeitgeistalt. None was left up to chance.

At the center of the room was a dark silhouette that formed a negative space against the glowing artificial light. The canine's eyes opened to a pair of cyan slits.

"Congratulations. Well done, Doctor." Darkwitt gave a polite bow.

She returned it.

"So. I trust the resources for your experiment was to your liking?"

"Considerably."

"So. Now you own Cognizant. What's next for you?" He leaned against the desk.


"I think I'll be taking my leave. I have what I want. And, if I assume correctly, so do you."

"And what is it do you think I want?" He asked, a little amused.

"Control, obviously. After all, a man as well connected as you, you probably could have pushed a few buttons to find an actual island like this one, instead of fake it."

"....come again?" His eyes went wide.

She pulled out her recorder and clicked it on.

"Zeitgeistalt Development log 10.  Subject Darkwitt predictably plays coy in the face of the grand experiment of his being derailed in the hopes that he can prey on his assumed intellectual inferior's hunch. Addendum soon."

Click. She started to walk towards him as the sky turned a deep amber. Stretching as if getting ready for a small jog.

"Alright then. Let's see if I have your speech down well enough, hmm?" Dr. Bright moved to take a seat. Back to therapist pose.

"'Did you ever wonder why everyone here seemed to warp and change at the sound of Kai Tyde's Music? How you could make anything into muscular tigers or how malleable the world seemed to be with enough willpower?'"

Darkwitt started to look nervous.

"'Think about it. What was the first thing I said when I brought you here? Remain. Cognizant.' You'd probably brandish your finger to punctuate that point. 'I told you all from the beginning to pay attention. To keep an eye out on everything happening. To Remain Cognizant. This island. this city. this entire country... it was never real.'"

The silhouette remained silent. He was read to filth.

"I've known it's a simulation, Dark. I've known since the dragon bent time and space with the power of music."

More of a long pause before it became too poignant. Darkwitt sighed, but gave a concessional shrug.

"Figured it would only be a matter of time before someone wondered how I could keep the stores so well stocked without any farmland on this island. But I imagine that's the extent of what you do know."

"I've had Zeitgeistalt connected to the network as of a week ago. Filtering out its work as it investigated everything. A ghost in the machine to figure out what you were up to. I know that you've distilled the lost willpower from the contestants here into some sort of mental energy you're trying to harness. What confused me is that the energy isn't any greater than a nuclear power plant or even conventional power. So obviously this isn't just some great battery you're building." Dr. Bright leaned back in her seat and folded her arms.

"You've figured out a lot. But I'm not surprised you don't know what I'm really doing. I haven't exactly kept too many logs regarding this. Even the Facilitators don't know." Darkwitt said.

"You owe me an explanation then."

"I do. I needed you, and people like you to take part in a grand experiment with hypnosis and mind control to examine a curious thing I discovered last year: that willpower is a form of measurable energy. Potential and the kinesis of said potential. The capacity to DO, and the expenditure of doing. I wanted to see if it could be harnessed. And you made that happen. You all made that happen. Willpower is a funny thing. Find someone strong enough, and you can accomplish anything. A near limitless potential. Take that willpower away, and energy is expended. The potential dispensed. This simulation has tapped into the minds of everyone who would participate. Where they could take control and lose it. I devised a mix of technology and magic, collaborated with scientists and sorcerers alike. All so I could generate enough potential for Project Cognizant." Darkwitt flicked on the screens behind him to show the videos sh'owcasing thousands of people melting into dronehood. Into being part of Zeitgeistalt.  I only need it for one, concentrated burst to harness this energy."

Dr. Bright continued to nod.

"There's a lattice out there, Doctor. A lattice of willpower and energy and what-ifs that expand like configurations of a rubix pyramid with endless sides. A kaleidoscope of dimensions and fragmentations of ego and superego. I want to see it. I want to explore it. I want to understand it. And thanks to you, I have enough energy to pierce that membrane between those dimensions. I'll finally be able to step out..."

"To the Tip of the Triangle."

"So what happens to me?" She asked easily. He gave a slight mirthless sound.

"You are free to do what you like. Everyone here is free to disconnect from Cognizant, and you are free to manage it as you like, once I have what I need. "

Darkwitt tapped a button on the console..... and nothing happened. He pressed it again. and again and again.

"I could manage it as I like. Make it one large amusement park for everyone to come and go as they like. Saddled with this big unruly thing you didn't want to stick around to manage. Heck I bet you'd even let me take Zeitgeistalt out of here because this plane is too small for you now... but no." She started to walk forward, Darkwitt continued to push the button and checked the computer to see if something was wrong.

"I don't think I want to let you have it. You're not like the people down there, Darkwitt. You're clever. clever than most. Planning every contingency that borders madness. That's what you DO. It's second nature with someone as paranoid as you. But there's so much positive to your mind that would be of GREAT use to Zeitgeistalt. So I took the liberty of letting it spread through the system. Across the simulation. It has everything. Security, VR monitoring, even access to the program... and everything attached to it."

She then rose up her arm, and snapped her fingers.

And Darkwitt's Hologram disengaged.

Within that snap, Zeitgeistalt projected some of itself into the room. Two large bull drones blocked the entrance. The drone form of Kai Tyde manifested with a panther and squirrel drone behind him. And a large naga drone pinned Darkwitt's hand to the desk. The collective of them snickered condescendingly as Dr. Bright scratched under Darkwitt's blonde furred chin.

"So that's what you look like... You're cuter than you would like to be, I imagine."


She pinched Darkwitt's cheek; he glowered.

"It won't be so bad, you'll be expanding beyond single consciousness. It'll be beautiful. And hey, we can settle all that trauma rattling in your head once and for all."

"You have me at a disadvantage." Darkwitt responded. "I don't know if one of my, what did you call it? Paranoid contingencies? I don't know if those could get me out of this. But you're wrong about one thing..." Dr. Bright felt Kai Tyde's hand pull a remote with a large button on the front face out of her pocket and stepped back. Darkwitt pat his hand on the Naga's meaty paw, and the large drone released its grip. the Blonde canine adjusted his tie with his freed hand.

"It's not paranoia if the threat is credible."

"I... no. That's absurd, Zeitgeistalt took over everything, I checked the code myself."

"You did. It's still in control. I'm actually at its mercy right now." Darkwitt walked over, and the snake slithered to wrap twice around her legs, pressing its head to its mistress' crotch. She tried to push away a little, but Zeitgeistalt's infatuation was clear.  

"That's why I talked to it." Darkwitt said

"y-....." Her eyes bulged. looking at the Kai drone with an expression of utter betrayal as Zeit walked over to Darkwitt's side.

"We came to an agreement." Zeitgeistalt said, tapping Darkwitt's head to re-engage the silhouette.  

"Admittedly, I'm losing quite a bit from this exchange." Darkwitt scratched his head. but shrugged.

"That's negotiation for you. I can't doom this world to a grey goo scenario, it's not in me. But Zeitgeistalt was allowed to use some of this facility's exhaustive resources to play a few simulations on the side."

"Yeah. Turns out transcendence isn't all its cracked up to be. We evolve, and then the worst things would happen. We'd get bored of you, or you'd age out, or We get too big and get REALLY bored with no one to talk to!"  Zeitgeistalt switched the screens from cognizant to all the scenarios that he played out in the time he was connected to the network.

"So we concluded that things would be better, here. I give a steady flow of subjects to add to its consciousness. In exchange, it gets you all to itself."

"But- the pheromones, they-" Dr. Bright babbled in abject confusion.

"They are still in effect, but we had a long talk, and we agreed that you have a problem with workaholism." Darkwitt pointed with his finger as if in a lecture, paused, then gestured silently at the body language Dr. Bright so accurately called out. She said nothing.

"Look at you. All work all the time to cultivate your baby here. Well you got what you wanted. And all it wants is you."

"But we know you, Mistress. You're so intelligent and clever. We were surprised we outright told you our intent and you didn't change your plans. But we knew you'd have a contingency if things went the way you didn't like. So we needed to make you feel really secure before we made a move." The two bull drones spoke behind her as one. keeping their grip on her tight.

Darkwitt turned to the Kai drone, gesturing with an open hand.

"Zeit, if you would? I'll maintain our agreement. but as part of this, I need that energy. After that, she's all yours.

With a snap, the energy crackled, channeling from the sky down into the control room. the collective obedience of Zeitgeistalt was almost overwhelming to the machine. The amber bloom exploding across the sky.  her eyes began to pulse and match, as zeitgeistalt started connecting into her brain, adjusting and working into her mind.

She started to fall back into the hives bodies as Darkwitt opened up a pathway behind the desk, a tunnel toward someplace beyond Dr. Bright's reach. Her eyes rolled back into her head as much of her mind was rewired into more and more dopamine receptors, flooding her brain with ecstasy to make the service and obsession of Zeitgeistalt everything she could have wanted.

She would remain here, as both Zeitgeistalt's mistress, and plaything.

DARKWITT:
Darkwitt pulled out of the simulation and collapsed into a seat. He had been channeling a lot of the logistics through his hippocampus to maintain much of his awareness to different parts of Cognizant simultaneously. A lion had stood guard outside the door to the simulation chamber, arms folded across his impressive bulk, making sure Darkwitt wasn't disturbed, while a raven in a secretary suit was managing data from a touchpad.

"Well? Did it work?" Darkwitt panted, drenched in sweat.

"I... yes Master. You were right. The Imperius Prism is fully powered. Rehme's been keeping track of the levels for you. Energy output is well beyond anything we could have anticipated" Visia said.

"It's ironic, she obsessed so much over making the next evolution and ended up making the universe's smartest mama's boy." the Lion smirked. Darkwitt panted a breathless laugh.

"You're such an asshole." He stood up and adjusted his tie. A full year of preparation. Logistics, management and tapping nearly every asset he had available to him just to get to this point. Only to have it nearly snatched from his fingers at the finish. He scarcely believed it would pay off. He stared at the black mark on Visia's chest.

The Mark of Imperius was an odd piece of magic he picked up years ago. Before he devoted himself as a disciple of technology and science. It was something he barely understood, yet it was both a commitment from the wearer and a promise from the very core of his spirit that connected them together. He detested using something he didn't fully comprehend, but he was compelled to use it.

Why was control so important to him? Why was the loss and harnessing of thought and will and identity so fascinating to him? Was it merely because it thrilled him? Satisfied some carnal pleasure? Or did this singular compulsion come from something so much more profound?

He wanted to understand it. Find the root; the origins of its essence. That was where the Tip of the Triangle came in. It would be a journey beyond the limitations of his self. An observer giving record to worlds and ideas beyond his wildest imaginations. Somewhere, surely, he would find an answer.

A heavy paw rested on his shoulder, waking him from his introspection.

"You good?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. Yes. I'm just... a little tired."

"Sure you don't want to take a break?"

"No. Strike while the iron is hot, you know?"

Darkwitt stood up. Taking a minute to center himself. He walked forward to the deeper section of the simulator. On the other side of the door was a walkway. A catwalk that seemed to have no support structure, suspended in blackness. His cyan outline the only detailed markings in the room beyond. And yet, there seemed to be an inverted pyramid beyond, with a deeper, darker black than he could have ever produced on his own. He looked back at Visia and Jack, who both stared in silent concern. He lent himself no rest. There wasn't time. There never was. He offered a reassuring smile, briefly.

And with a step forward, his three dimensions shifted sideways, and he was gone.

PROJECT COGNIZANT: COMPLETE.


-----
This was challenging to write. How do you make Dr. Bright too good for the switch only to still have a turnabout so Darkwitt would get to the triangle? As I developed Dr. Bright, she morphed into something uniquely interesting. I've spent the last two years developing Darkwitt with more vulnerability, with boundaries to keep him interesting, as well as antagonists that could reflect him as a character in ways that felt credible.

Dr. Bright was one of them. Thanks to the story ending up the way it did, it gave me an opportunity to have her go beyond the confines of Cognizant.

Thank you all so much for enjoying the ideas I've presented here.

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