“It’s quite a sight to behold, even I haven’t seen this far into it. It’s no wonder Knight-1 took extra precautions to ensure this codec didn’t fall into the wrong hands,” Wizard said.
He sifted through some more files and found an interesting video titled ‘Assimilation: The Nanocell’s Ability for Molecular Imprinting’.
“Assimilation? Hmm,” Caiden mumbled as he clicked on the video file. Everyone in the car was glued to the holographic video display. The video log showed a man in his seventies, with white slicked back hair and a warm expression on his face.
“Dr. Hisashi Sendo recording video log number eleven twenty-two; Assimilation. Amiko and I tested the nanocells’ ability to change their form according to what they absorb. The results are fascinating. Titanium metal, in particular, initiated the most drastic transformation.”
The video log transitioned to a recorded account of the transformation. Dr. Sendo placed a microscopic amount of titanium metal into a petri dish that was filled with nanocells. The nanocells looked like the ones Caiden found after he performed the bio-scan.
“No way!” The twins exclaimed simultaneously.
The recorded sequence showed the nanocells actively absorbing the microscopic metal shards. The nanocells’ properties began to change. Not only did they change shape, but they appeared to acquire something more from the absorption. It was as if the nanocells transformed into a much stronger and sturdier version of themselves. As a control for the experiment, Amiko suggested the placing of a harmful pathogen into the same petri dish to see what happened afterward.
The newly reformed nanocells used their new-found ability to fight off and eradicate the pathogen within seconds. It was done faster than any white blood cell could ever do. It looked like a few banded together to viciously attack the pathogen, while another group of nanocells used what was left of the pathogen and converted it into life sustaining energy, ultimately powering the nanocell further.
“Amiko and I have come to two conclusions regarding this phenomenon. One; the nanocell is truly sentient, a thinking biomachine of sorts, implementing tactics to effectively erase the pathogen while exerting little effort or energy. It executed a methodical and logical approach to destroy the substance while the other team of nanocells used their newfound strength from the assimilated metal to dispose of the rest. Two; due to the assimilation, the nanocells changed and remembered what they had absorbed. They then used their new ability to combat the threat in a new and innovative way that they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to without their ‘upgrade’.
"This change also appeared to have left a permanent molecular imprint, forever changing their physical makeup, as well as altering their unique genetic code. This new change allowed them to tap into the newly-metalized substance they obtained to eliminate the threat."
“Hey, Amiko, would it be too far-fetched to surmise that if someone… Theoretically, if a regular human were filled with these nanocells, the nanocells could consciously do the same thing on a macro scale?” Dr. Sendo asked. “That’s a really good question that I haven’t thought of an answer to. I suppose, with billions, or even trillions of these in a human body, the macro scale assimilation of objects could happen.” Amiko replied, before the video ended.
“Every time we investigate these supercells in you we find something amazing,” Nami remarked.
“Shit, tell me about it,” Caiden said.
“Knight-1 wasn’t kidding when they said—. Detecting a tracing signal approximately one hundred meters south of our location. Moving at a speed of fifty-five miles per hour” Wizard announced as her eyes lit red again.
“You’re an android?” Hitomi nervously asked.
“Someone’s tracking us! Shit, I was sure we ditched them back there.” Caiden grimaced as he went to the driver’s seat to take control of the AI drive function.
“We hindered our pursuers from the Chimera group. I’m afraid that an unrelated threat is following us. I detect a strong signal from this pursuer, a signal similar to mine. I cannot decipher the tracking code. Unable to identify the pursuer,” a confused Wizard finished as her eyes returned to their normal color.
“Are you setting me up?” Caiden shouted as he pointed his gun toward the backseat where Wizard was sitting.
“I have nothing to do with this,” she calmly replied.
He lowered his weapon. “Well if you don’t have anything to do with it, then what gives?” he asked.
“Did you run into anyone on your way to the Red Rabbit?” she asked.
“As a matter of fact, I did. A strange old man in a white lab coat. His bodyguard called him ‘Dr. Stein’, I think.”
Wizard’s eyes widened and her facial expression went from calm to serious. “You must take heed to my instructions immediately! Take control of the wheel and take a left now!”
Caiden turned left, cutting off an oncoming car, almost resulting in an accident. “Now what?’ he queried.
“Stay on this road for another quarter of a mile, then at the end of this street take a right, then another left,” she instructed.
“Where are you taking us?” Nami fretted.
“You’ll see, sweetheart,” Wizard said.
“What’s going on with the tracker? What kind of car are they driving?” Caiden asked.
“They are not driving a car, rather, they are moving from car to car without disrupting the drivers. This tracker is good. Always maintaining a safe distance of fifty to one hundred meters,” She reported.
“What the hell is going on? How is that even possible right now?” Hitomi asked.
“You’re still gonna ask that after these past two days of insanity?” Caiden remarked.
“Good point” Hitomi replied.
“Now, Caiden, I want you to maintain your current speed,” Wizard said.
“Aren’t we trying to lose them? Why stay at this speed and give them a chance? You working something else out right now?” he asked.
“Right here is perfect. Code NDNA: initiate scramble sequence. Street surveillance proxy override. HSD, override. Street cameras at point ‘A’, axis twenty-four, override.” Wizard’s eyes lit red and her voice became even more digitized as she began spewing out random commands.
As she initiated sequence, the street surveillance proxies, security HSDs, and street cameras all
