Chapter 64: The Dominant-Type Las Plagas
Two months passed in what felt like no time at all.
Research facility. Las Plagas division.
The research lead assigned to the Las Plagas parasite study was giving Matthew his briefing.
"Boss. Based on our findings, and incorporating the data you brought back, we've established a mature and stable cultivation process for the Las Plagas parasite."
"Beyond that — over these two months, we've also identified that the Las Plagas parasite's social structure closely mirrors a natural hive system."
"When a hive loses its queen, the remaining bees will work to cultivate a new queen until the position is filled and the behavior stops."
"Las Plagas operates the same way."
"When a dominant-type Las Plagas dies, the remaining parasites still in spore state will catalyze a new dominant-type to serve as their leader. Once that dominant-type is established, the process ends."
"The dominant-type we've been cultivating is now fully mature."
He reached into the cryogenic storage unit and produced a glass jar roughly the width of an adult forearm.
Inside the jar: a creature resembling a facehugger, but considerably more slender — no longer than a pencil. Its surface was smoother, with far fewer of a facehugger's characteristic claws, and instead covered with sea-anemone-like tentacles running along its length.
"What you're looking at now is the dominant-type Las Plagas." He held the jar out to Matthew.
The System panel activated.
[Dominant-Type Las Plagas: Upon implantation, significantly enhances the host's physical condition. Carries insectoid characteristics. Capable of controlling other Las Plagas parasites.
As the parasite's root system deepens inside the host, major organs will gradually be replaced by the parasite. The host's own thinking will be quietly altered in parallel.
In the final stage, the parasite fully replaces the brain and conscious mind, becoming a version of you that retains all memories and thinking.]
[Optimizable defects: Erosive insect-transformation. Mental control. Photophobia. Parasite independent thinking.]
[Upgradeable capabilities: Population control. Mental network. Physical enhancement.]
Matthew read through the panel.
His expression settled.
Erosive insect-transformation. Mental control. And it develops its own agenda.
So Saddler, who appeared to be using the dominant Las Plagas, had in fact been the one being used.
The most dangerous thing a parasite could be was independently minded. Particularly one that could reshape the host's thinking without the host noticing. If it truly came to that, what was the difference between the host and a thrall from a fantasy novel?
The research lead noticed the change in his employer's expression and hesitated.
"Boss... did I explain something incorrectly? Was there something unclear?"
Matthew returned to the room. He gave the researcher a small, reassuring nod. "No. You explained it well."
"Continue."
"Of course, Boss." The researcher gathered himself. "In addition to the dominant-type, we've also cultivated approximately five specimens of what we're calling the 'superior strain.'"
"The superior strain can be implanted to enhance the host's physical condition without producing berserk behavior, mental instability, or cognitive degradation. It can also partially restore pre-existing disabilities and allow the host to transform their limbs into weapons in combat situations."
"The only limitations are that hosts remain subject to control by the dominant-type, and the superior strain is difficult to produce in volume."
He finished the two months of findings and waited with some anxiety for questions.
What came instead surprised him.
No rapid-fire directives. No sweeping commentary. Just a quiet nod.
"You've done excellent work. Keep refining and see if you can get it closer to something that can be put to practical use for people." Matthew patted the researcher's shoulder. "One more thing — I'll need to take the dominant-type and the five superior strains with me. That won't get in the way of your continued work?"
The researcher was not accustomed to being asked rather than told. He waved his hands quickly.
"Not at all, not at all. These are company assets. They're yours."
He retrieved the superior-strain specimens from the storage unit and prepared a carry case for Matthew.
Matthew watched him with a touch of appreciation. Whatever else could be said, the man's ability to read a situation and not make it harder than it needed to be was a quality William Birkin had been failing to develop for years.
"Good. I'll leave you to your work." Matthew gave him a brief wave and walked out.
Top floor. Office.
Matthew sat on the leather sofa, turning the jar with the dominant-type Las Plagas in his hands.
He had gone to considerable effort to bring the Las Plagas back. He had his reasons.
A parasite that, once implanted in a person, made them a follower was not something that appeared often. With this, his reach could move silently into any domain, building a network that covered everything and showed nothing from the outside.
He intended to use it.
But before that, it needed to be optimized. The defects that came standard with it needed to go.
"System. Begin optimization."
The panel opened.
[Erosive insect-transformation: The host's external appearance gradually develops insectoid characteristics. Internal organs are progressively replaced. The brain is eventually replaced.
Cost to optimize: 250 System points.]
[Mental control: The parasite gradually assumes control of the host's mind, converting them into a puppet without their awareness.
Cost to optimize: 500 System points.]
[Photophobia: The parasite is sensitive to ultraviolet light and will dissolve under strong light exposure.
Cost to optimize: 250 System points.]
[Parasite independent thinking: The parasite develops its own goals and works to use the host to achieve them.
Cost to optimize: 1,000 System points.]
[Current System points: 8,900. Nursery project: ongoing daily income.]
[Accumulated System points have reached 21,400. Pass milestone reward: Mid-grade Free Modification x2 deposited.]
[Next milestone at 30,000 accumulated points. Please continue putting System rewards to work for the benefit of the people.]
[Mid-grade Free Modification: Can be used to freely modify any project valued at 5,000 System points or below in the Customization Modification category. Note: This reward applies to modification only. It cannot be used for optimization or fusion.]
He read through the rewards without dwelling on them.
"Optimize all defects."
[Optimizing—]
[Optimization complete.]
[System points remaining: 6,900.]
***
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