#The Cybernetic Illusion.

[zololacan]

BIng ai Image creator with the prompt being Jean Bauldrairds essay "requiem for the media" and its other subsections as the prompt in different styles

Requium for the media, Enzensberger: A "Socialist" Strategy,Speech without Response,Subversive Strategy and "Symbolic Action",The Theoretical Model of Communication,The Cybernetic Illusion. Art Deco, Russian Cosmism, Anime,

Requium for the media, Enzensberger: A "Socialist" Strategy,Speech without Response,Subversive Strategy and "Symbolic Action",The Theoretical Model of Communication,The Cybernetic Illusion., Cinematic

[stagbeetleboy]

Working on Darth Algos again. I think maybe implying the loss of his jaw/ creating the illusion of a wide mouth by dangling his jawbone from his neck more terrifying than cybernetics

[happytroopers]

Literally anything about Echo, please. Could be before or during bad batch, I’m just completely head over heels for the man

PAST LIVES // Echo x Reader

Summary: Echo's been rescued from Skako Minor, settling into Clone Force 99 slowly but surely. His past catches up with him during a routine diagnostic run, and you... well, you're unknowingly somewhere between a memory and a reunion. Echo is convinced he knows best.

Something wasn't right, things were too soft and hazy, too golden, too warm, dreamy… But the way you were smiling at him, the way your warm fingers were tracing patterns through his hair, Echo couldn’t bring himself to think too hard about it. It had been far too long since he’d had time with you like this, legs tangled together, his hands were settled on you waist, and you were smiling lazily. Maybe something was right for the first time in a while. 

Where was he again? Your apartment on Coruscant? The Barracks? Why couldn’t he tell? Then you shifted, rolling so you were on top of his chest. The hand not on his bicep crept up his torso, nails scratching just right to make his back arch. Maybe it didn’t matter where you were...

"We gotta get up." Your voice was sleepy but happy, muffled as you dropped your face into the crook of his neck. Echo wanted to focus on your voice, on the feel of your lashes against his jaw, but under your voice was the hint of something else. Something that injected a bit of urgency into his system, but nothing here was that urgent right? Echo wrapped his arms a bit tighter around your waist, but nothing felt different, like you slipping through his fingers. 

"Echo, you need to wake up now." You said again, suddenly not buried in his neck but staring down at him expectantly. The warmth was sapping away, despite your touch his legs were feeling colder and stiffer. Your voice wasn’t soft, but an order, behind it was the reverberation of someone else’s. Rex? Fives? No, that wasn’t right either. Echo started to try to sit up, reaching up to run a hand through your hair, locks slipped over his quickly cooling fingers like an water washing away an illusion, revealing a durasteel scomp link in it’s place.

The urgency was rising, his other hand running over his head to find his cropped cut gone. Barely any stubble had started to regrow, his face had gone gaunt. Furrowed brows lifted his eyes to you, the golden version of you smiling and the cold urgent version of yourself flickering like a faulty holo-com. He tried calling your name, but a static shock at the base of his neck catapulted him first into darkness though he was becoming rapidly more aware of his reality. 

Half a moment later, a hand shook his shoulder and he startled awake again. The harsh white light of the Kaminoan medical bay was a stark difference to the hazy golden light in his dream.

It had been a dream, of course it had, Echo hadn’t spoken to you since…well, since he’d been a different man. 

"Diagnostic scans are looking good. New implants are operating satisfactory. " Tech announced, tapping away at a data pad that was connected by a couple wires to the base of Echo’s skull. The former ARC trooper sighed, craning his neck this way and that though the cybernetics along his spine wouldn’t let the joints pop. 

"Great, can we find a way to test these things without knocking me out?" He groaned, watching Tech tap at a few more things. The genius rose his eyebrows. 

"We could but we risk neural overload, neural underload, brain fry, memory lapse, short term memory loss, long term memory loss, hallucinations,…" Tech’s list was on going, bordering on droning but Echo’s focus was lost when motion at the door way caught his eye. The medbay doors swished apart, making room for two clones. Two older cadets in training armor, one half supporting his brother who was sans helmet. The injured one had blood dribbling down his forehead and looked more than a little dazed. Training incidents, those happened all the time. It was the pretty civilian nurse who flanked the pair that held Echo's attention, taking the injured cadet under his other arm to help him walk straight. 

You.  

It was like being shocked all over again.

Echo was an entirely different man now, but you… You’d barely changed. Sure, your hair was a little longer now, a couple more shadows under your eyes. But, you were still you. The woman that Echo had loved, still loved. He couldn't help but watch you sit the injured trooper down, asking both cadets diagnostic questions. They seemed flustered under your keen eyes, casting each other wide eyed looks when you’d offer them that soft, reassuring smile you gave all your patients.

You’d given Echo that smile, it seemed like decades ago now when you’d met, and, kriff, it’d stunned him to silence, too. Still did. Echo watched you put gloves on, sliding them over a ring he’d given you shortly before he left for the Citadel. And he watched those gloved hands gently feel over the Cadet’s head, not quite like you used to play with his hair, but just as gentle. He couldn’t quite hear your voice, but he could see your lips moving, your face was still gentle, probably explaining what you were doing or cracking a joke as opposed to the scolding you used to serve the 501st when they’d get hurt doing something dumb. 

The cadet flinched as you started to clean the shallow wound on his forehead, and Echo almost laughed at the face you made at him. There was the scolding, judging by how the cadet sat up a little straighter. It didn’t take you long, cleaning, bandaging, shining a light in the clone’s eyes. 

"Alright, I think you’ll survive, just barely." 

Echo couldn’t hear you, but he knew that glint in your eyes. You always said that when treating minor wounds; you thought it was funny. He knew exactly the lilt of your voice, which words you put emphasis on, the quirk of your brow, the breath of a laugh you’d tag on the end as you patted the Cadet’s knee. He’d heard you say it a hundred times, been the patient on the receiving end when he’d make excuses to come see you in the medbay before he asked you out. 

Tech was prodding his shoulder again, trying to get his attention. Echo could just barely hear him over the rash of memories going through his mind. 

"Are you even listening to me? Something made your brainwaves spike." Tech questioned finally looking up from his datapads to follow Echo’s line of sight to you, "Oh." 

The cadets were leaving now, you were cleaning up the bit of mess you made before taking a sweep of the infirmary. Your eyes landed on the two different clones, your brow twitched for a moment as you looked at him. A spark of recognition dimmed by a crash of sadness before you shook your head, offering the two of them a smile and wave. 

"Can I help with anything?" You called after setting a cleaning droid on your station. You were walking over, curiosity in your pretty eyes. 

"No, just routine diagnostics." Tech answered when Echo just stared at you like a ghost. Ironic considering he was the more ghost like of the two of you. You slipped more into work mode,  eyes scanning over the cybernetics on his head and dumbstruck look. 

"And they’re coming back green?" You asked, sincerely, reaching out to gently take hold of Echo’s chin. Kriff, if you touched him he didn’t know what he’d do. He’d been so carefully avoiding you since his rescue. Stars, the truth was clawing up his throat to tangle with the wisps of your perfume that he’d breathed in, like sparks and gas. It burned your presence into him, but, dank farrik, it was nice to be warm again.

But could he do this to you? You deserved more than what he’d become, he couldn’t give you what he once could. Could he put you through that after everything? 

Rex had told him. How hard you took it when the news of Echo’s apparent death was broken to you. Everything you’d been through afterwards. Rex told him that you weren’t coping well, you were becoming reckless, distant. Barely eating, barely sleeping, less patient, quiet. The only reason you were still working in the GAR at all was because some of the boys were worried what might happen to you if you were formally discharged. So, Rex pulled some strings, had you transferred back to Kamino where you’d been primarily an instructor, teaching cadets medical skills, running drills with them to show them how to work with civilians in the field, and taking shifts in the infirmary just to keep busy. Compared to what Kix had described, you seemed to finally be doing better. You seemed like you. 

Echo could feel the warmth emanating off your fingertips as they got closer, reminding him exactly why he needed to not be this close. That spark of recognition was back in your stare, your brow twitching. At the last second, Echo flinched backwards away from your fingers, leaning away to try not to choke on your scent as he cleared his throat.

"Just a little out of sync when things come back online, ma’am, nothing to worry about. ‘M fine." Echo forced his voice to be rigid, cut and dry, the way soldiers were supposed to talk to civilians like you. Anything else, he’d be afraid you’d clock him based just off his tone. You always could do that, pick him out of a crowd with your eyes closed. Sometimes, Fives and Jesse would convince Echo to play ‘musical armor’ to try to trick you, you wouldn’t even have to turn around. The moment Echo opened his mouth, you’d hit him with a sweet greeting. It always made the guys laugh, but it made Echo feel… right, warm all the way through. So, he couldn’t risk it and kept his voice firm. 

Echo expected you to look at him weird, maybe even be irritated at his cold tone, but instead, you just smiled, shaking your head with the slightest laugh as you dropped your hand back to your side. 

"What?" Echo pressed, fighting the urge to smile back. He shouldn’t have, he needed to leave. It was nice to have you this close again, but it’d just hurt more in the long run. You straightened up, taking a half step back. 

"Sorry, you just… remind me of someone I used to know." 

Echo tried not to flinch at that.

"We’re needed in the docking bay." 

Both of you had completely forgotten Tech was there. The batch’s genius was watching Echo carefully and you curiously, and for all the crap they gave him, Tech had obviously picked up on Echo’s inner struggle. Tech stood slowly, slipping his helmet on and handed Echo’s to him, "We’ll see ourselves out." 

Echo nodded to Tech, and also to himself, before offering you a curt nod as well, just for the excuse to give you another short look. Your brows crinkled again, but Echo turned on his heel to follow Tech out before he could give you anymore reason to question him. 

"Oh, alright. Bye then." Your voice was soft, confused as you stared at the two men leaving the infirmary. 

—

"You knew her." 

Tech’s phrase wasn’t a question, but a fact. Stated as such as they walked back to the docking bay. Echo answered it like one anyone, after he slipped his helmet on, hoping it’d make him harder to read. 

"Uh, yeah. She used to work in the 501st." Not a lie, you had worked in the 501st, after the incident on the Rishi moon. 

"Your body language suggests some sort of deeper relation than simple coworkers. Your pupils dilated, brainwaves spiked, vocal change, hyper fixated focus, fidgety muscle reactions-"

"Don’t need a biology lesson, Tech." Echo groaned, "And I’m suggesting that it doesn’t matter anymore." 

"It just insinuates that-" 

"Un-insinuate it then." 

"Hmm." Tech hummed, casting an odd look to the newest member of the Batch. 

"I..." Echo thought for a moment, trying to come up with some sort of dismissal, but that truth was still crawling up his throat. His shoulders slumped a bit as he fixed his helmeted gaze on the pristine white floors, "I'm not the man she knew."

--

wow this is so dramatic and unedited lol

[cosmikazie-arts]

ONE MORE KYRIE REDESIGN!

been having some thoughts about the way he looks recently. his lore has evolved a lot over the past few years that i’ve had him, but as my artstyle has evolved and learned to accommodate more body types and all that stuff, i realized that his design doesnt really reflect that all that much.

where he originally hailed from, the typical diet of him and his cohorts were nutritional supplements and maintenance drugs. suffice to say, while they were all alive, they were really under the illusion of healthiness, being pretty spindly while also being unnaturally strong.

when he left the empire and ran away, he found that he had to sustain himself off of actual food. and it so happens that food is actually pretty damn good for you. as a result, he’s a lot healthier, and while he’s not as unnaturally strong as he used to be, and he still has to rely on his more deeply-embedded cybernetics, he far better embodies what a more natural Goroko would look like, given the circumstances were different. he’s also much happier this way.

[impossiblesuitcase]

do you think lunars with the mind manipulation thing can manipulate themselves? (cuz i saw that one post of you saying you would give your self trex arms and i never really thought of it that way)

Yes. Cinder tested this out in Scarlet when she glamoured her metal hand into looking like a human one and saw the illusion until her cybernetic brain alerted her that it was fake. The gift is essentially controlling bioelectricity, either your own or that of others.

However for yourself it would only work for your appearance. Although you could use your gift to force someone to move or injure themself, you wouldn't control your own bioelectricity to do that because you don't need to. Your muscles and nervous system already do that for you.

[litrpgburrito]

Motoko Kusanagi: A Cybernetic Force to Be Reckoned With

Let’s take a dive into the fascinating world of Motoko Kusanagi, the central character in the iconic anime and manga series, Ghost in the Shell. 🤖🔍

Background

Ghost in the Shell is a futuristic cyberpunk universe set in the mid-21st century (around 2030 AD).

The story revolves around Public Security Section 9, an anti-crime/counter-terrorist unit specializing in cyber-crimes.

Motoko Kusanagi, often referred to as “Major,” is the second-in-command of Section 91.

Abilities and Skills

Superhuman Physical Characteristics:

Major’s cybernetic body grants her enhanced strength, agility, and endurance.

She can perform feats that surpass human limits, making her a formidable combatant.

Thermo-Optical Camouflage:

Major can become invisible using therm-optic camouflage technology.

This ability allows her to blend seamlessly into her surroundings or surprise enemies.

Cyber Mind and Expert Hacker:

Her cyberbrain enables her to interface with networks and mimic various powers:

Telepathy: Communicate mentally with others.

Possession: Control other cybernetic bodies.

Illusion Creation: Manipulate perceptions.

Memory Access: Retrieve information from databases.

Offensive Mind Control: Influence others’ thoughts.

Leadership and Tactical Intelligence:

Major’s experience and strategic acumen make her an effective leader.

She excels at analyzing complex situations and devising optimal solutions.

Strengths

Combat Prowess: Major’s martial arts skills and combat experience make her a force to be feared.

Invisibility: Her therm-optic camouflage provides a tactical advantage.

Cybernetic Adaptability: She can use other bodies or objects as duplicates.

Weaknesses

Humanity vs. Cyberization: Major grapples with her identity as a cyborg—balancing her human consciousness with her cybernetic enhancements.

Vulnerability to Hacking: Despite her hacking abilities, she’s susceptible to skilled hackers.

Existential Questions: Her search for purpose and self-awareness adds depth to her character.

In summary, Motoko Kusanagi embodies the fusion of human and machine, navigating a complex world where technology blurs the lines of identity and power. Whether she’s infiltrating enemy lines or questioning her own existence, Major remains an enduring symbol of cyberpunk resilience. 🌟🤖

[rwby-soh]

“Cybernetic Phantom”

Sex: Female

Race: Human

Height: 5'6"

Age (circa 99 AGW): 37

Aura Density: Low (Pre-Cyborg)/High (Cyborg)

Aura Reserves: High/Variable

Aura Color: Fuchsia

Semblance: Life Force/Life Dust

Weapon: Carnation (Destroyed)/Carnation Illusion (Dust Construct)/Carnation Lily (Rebuilt/Upgraded)

Additional Abilities: Cybernetic Vision, Cybernetic Nervous System, Crystalline Arm, Cybernetic Legs, Dust Constructs

Another OC not created for this AU but being permitted to be used by her creator Touko Fuchsia is a teacher at Beacon, running Grimm Studies, an ironic choice given her notable degree of cybernetic reconstruction. When she was younger she traveled alongside Team RWBY and the others after the Fall of Beacon.

Touko’s legs and eyes are completely mechanical, with her upper face being a near perfect “mask” of synthetic skin fused atop the ruins of the old, alongside having additional benefits like an internal pacemaker/power source, a near complete replacement of her nervous system, and a biomonitor linked to her new eyes. Furthermore, Touko’s left arm is made out of a unique, light pinkish hue of Dust dubbed ‘Life Dust’, the result of the Dust leaching out of her pacemaker infusing itself with her blood. This unique type of Dust is capable of being freely manipulated thanks to her Semblance, Life Force, which previously just allowed her to manipulate the blood in her own body (and is also what saved her life in the Fall of Beacon). The Dust composing her left arm can also be shaped into weapons, such as an armblade, when Touko doesn’t have access to her primary weapon, Carnation Lily, a twin bladed spear-lance that can separate into two hand cannons. She’s known for being somewhat temperamental, spending a lot of her free time at home tinkering, getting high on Not!cannabis and hanging out with Ruby, who she lives with and is extremely affectionate towards. Alludes to the Phantom of the Opera, the titular character of Le fantome de l’Opera.

[cdr2002]

Mortal Kombat OC: Demon Eye

Author’s note: this OC is the first attempt I will be making at reconstructing the basic ideas behind MK12 fusion characters from chapter 15 into OCs, as I feel new characters are more valuable than goofy amalgams

Bio:

“Demon Eye”, so nicknamed for her heterochromia which caused her to have one distinctive red eye, was a reliable member of the Black Dragon clan. A survivor from some particularly mean streets of New York City, she quickly fell in with the clan’s style of operation and took a delight in being able to have power over the dangerous individuals she once feared and brazenly attack the corrupt police.

At the time of her joining, Kano had ascended to leadership of the Black Dragon sect that Demon Eye was a part of, and the one that gave her her nickname. Eager to prove herself within the organization, Demon Eye was loyal to Kano for many months. However, loyalty seldom held any actual rewards within the Black Dragon.

After losing an eye to a rival in the criminal underworld, Kano sought the cybernetics expertise of the illusive Doctor Rotwang.

Rotwang offered Kano his then-latest invention, a cybernetic eye implant capable of firing a condensed laser, something Rotwang had created after years of attempting to miniaturize the cybernetic heart apparatus he had previously invented for the Chinese military.

Though typically known for his brazenness and lack of forward thinking, Kano was often cautious when it came to his own survival. He wanted to see how the eye would graft to a human without being the initial test subject himself. To that end, he asked Demon Eye to undergo the procedure first. When she refused, Kano’s enforcers strapped her to Rotwang’s operating table.

The process was excruciating and left Demon Eye with scars inside and out that would remain with her for years. The implant was successfully inserted, though the event gave Rotwang the inspiration to streamline the procedure, which was of little consolation to Demon Eye.

Once free from her restraints, she attempted to kill Kano and Rotwang, only to be gunned down by Kano’s primary enforcer, Quinn.

With her death, Demon Eye’s soul descended into the darkness of the Netherrealm.

In a cruel twist of fate, the unknowable afterlife realm did not rebirth her as a demon, Oni, wraith, or other creature. Instead, she found herself having formed into an exact recreation of her mortal human body. A hell in itself, after what she had been through.

Aimless and even more desperate to survive in this infernal place, Demon Eye eventually found and joined the ranks of the Brotherhood of Shadow. Their god, Shinnok, offered an ascension from the cruel planes of the Netherrealm into the world of the living, where retribution would be exacted upon all who wronged his followers in life. The powerful sorcery of the cult’s leader Quan Chi, particularly his ability to create portals, convinced Demon Eye of the sincerity of these claims, and she accepted the Brotherhood’s mission as her own.

Now, that promised ascension is at hand, as Shinnok is close to escaping the Netherrealm and taking his followers with him to invade the mortal realms. Demon Eye volunteers to be a part of the force that will storm Earthrealm, having turned her back on humanity due to the circumstances of her prior life, and in particular eager to get revenge upon Kano.

[myth-lord]

IN MORTAL KOMBAT

This would be my perfect Mortal Kombat game, roster and groups.

PLAYABLE CHARACTERS

GOOD CHARACTERS

ELEMENTAL GODS OF EARTH Raiden (Lightning / Thunder / Teleport) (Thunder Staff) Fujin (Wind / Air) (Gale Sword)

RAIDENS GENERALS& ALLIES / EARTHREALM DEFENDERS Shujinko (Copy Powers / Ki Energy / Kirin Spirit) (No Weapons) Nightwolf (Amarok) (Spirits / Shaman Magic / Possession / Animal Empathy) (Spirit Tomahawks / Spirit Bow) Madam Bo (Tough Skin / Xuanwu Spirit) (No Weapon) Ashrah (Holy Powers/ Light / Healing / Angelic Wings) (Holy Kriss) Johnny Cage (Force Energy) (Cage Knuckles) Siang (Sing & Sang) (Twin Merge / Ki Energy / Strength) (Moon Twin-Blades)

SHAOLIN / EARTHREALM CHAMPIONS Liu Kang (Fire / Serenity / Spirit Dragon) (No Weapon) Li Mei (Kinetic Explosions / Kitsune Spirit) (No Weapon) Kai (Supreme Acrobatics / Byakko Spirit) (Nunchaku) Kung Jin (Eagle Eyes / Perfect Aim / Phoenix Spirit) (Long Bow)

OUTWORLD/EDENIAN RESISTANCE Taven (Golden Body-Armor / Fire / Golden Dragon Control / Foresight) (Dragon Sword) Kitana (Wind) (Wind Fan-blades) Kotal (Solar / Beast Control / Beast Shapeshifter / Sacrifices) (Macuahuitl Sword / Ritual Sickles / Magic Totems) Jade (Plants)(Floral Bo / Razorang) Erron Black (Item & Weapon Wisdom / Danger Sense) (Sniper Rifle / Magical Traps / Revolvers) Sheeva (Gravity / Strength) (Bladed Shield) Syzoth (Reptile) (Acid / Poison / Agility) (No Weapon, Teeth & Claws)

SPECIAL FORCES Jax (None, Military Training) (Iron Arms give Extreme Strength) Sonya Blade (None, Military Training) (Force-Field Gloves, Force-Energy Exoskeleton) Kenshi (Telepathy / Telekinesis / Psychic / Ancestor Spirits) (Sento) Cyrax (Extreme Intelligence / Technokinetic) (Cyber Bombs / Cybernet / Other Laser tools / Mechanical Tentacles) Kurtis Stryker (None, Weapon and Explosive expert) (Grenades / Gun / Machine Gun / Baton)

SHIRAI RYU/ OLD LIN KUEI Scorpion (Hanzo) (Hellfire / Teleport) (Kunai Rope Dart / Demonic Sword) Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang) (Ice / Cold) (No Weapon, Ice Creations) Enenra (Tomas / Smoke) (Gas / Mist / Smoke / Demonic Possession) (Karambit Knife)

NEUTRAL CHARACTERS

SEIDO GUARD Hotaru (Order Energy / Order Voice) (Naginata of Order)

EVIL CHARACTERS

OUTWORLD ARMY Shao Kahn (Soul Magic / Size Shifter / Great Strength) (Wrath Hammer / Bladed Helmet) Sindel (Voice / Hair / Vertigo) (No Weapons, Living Hair) Reiko (Energy Absorb / Strategist Mind) (Razor Knuckles / Spear / Shuriken) Kollector (Magical Bag / Teleport / Transmute Touch / Object Mimic) (Chained Mace / Bolas / Chakram / Sickle) Shang Tsung (Soul Magic / Shapeshifter / Naga Cobra Spirit) (No Weapons) Kung Lao (Sharpness / Spinning / Wind / Kamaitachi Spirit) (Magical Bladed-Hat) Mileena (Phasing / Regeneration / Senses) (Sai Swords, Fangs) Baraka (Bone Control / Regeneration / Extreme Senses) (No Weapons, Weapons made from own Bones) Kintaro (Gravity / Extreme Strength / Fire Breath) (No Weapon, Tigran Claws & Teeth) Ermac (Soul Magic / Soul Army / Soul Summon) (No Weapon) Chameleon (Invisibility / Shapeshift / Killer Tongue / Agility) (No Weapon, Teeth, Claws & Tongue) Rain (Water / Weather) (Jamadhar Katar) Tanya (Illusions / Dreams / Fire) (Kobu Jutsu)

BROTHERHOOD OF SHADOW Quan Chi (Soul Magic / Necromancy / Summon) (Skull Mace) Bi-Han (Saibot / Umbra) (Shadow / Darkness / Teleport) (Death Scythes) Sareena (Demon Form / Teleport / Strength) (No Weapon, Demonic Claws) Drahmin (Pain / Voodoo Skin / Strength) (Iron-Club) Moloch (Fear / Strength) (Ball N Chain) Nitara (Blood Magic / Mind Control / Summon Skarlet) (No Weapon, Blood Weapons & Vampire Claws)

BLACK/REDDRAGON Daegon (Dragon Control / Foresight / Dragonfire / Enhance Powers) (Dark Dragon-Sword) Kano (None, Depends on Tools) (Butterfly Knives / Bionic Laser Eye / Magnetic-Control Gloves / Boot Blades) Mavado (None, Cannibal) (Blade Whips with Stun / Boot Blades / Iron Implant Teeth) Kabal (Extreme Speed) (Hookswords / Sawblades) Kira (Probability / Luck / Living Tattoos) (Poison Claws / Clover-Shaped Shuriken / Poison Lipstick) Tremor (Earth / Vibrations / Matter Absorption) (No Weapons, Weapons made from his own earth-like body) Takeda (Psychic Animation / Psychic) (Psychic Knives and Shuriken) Kobra (Force Punch & Kick) (No Weapons)

CHURCH OF CHAOS Havik (Dairou) (Chaos Magic / Possession / Extreme Regeneration / Flesh Control) (Chaos Mace) Darrius (Intelligence / Diseases) (Alchemical Gauntlets) Ferra (Empathy / Magic Bonding) (Hand Claws) D’Vorah (Vermin / Poison / Regeneration / Implant) (No Weapons, Insectoid Body) Geras (Time / Strength / Sand) (Sand Axe)

TEKUNIN/ NEW LIN KUEI Sektor (Fire Cybernetics) (Homing Missiles / Laser Swords / Flamethrower) Frost (Ice Cybernetics) (Ice Bombs / Ice Blades) Chrome (Liquid Steel) (No Weapons, Liquid Metal Body)

NPC, BOSSES and SUMMONED CHARACTERS

TITAN/ELDER BEING Kronika (Titan of Time)

ELDER GODS Cetrion (Elder God of Life) (Boss, for evil characters) Shinnok (Elder God of Death) (Boss, for good characters) Abacus (Elder God of Order) (Boss, for all characters) Zaggot (Elder God of Chaos) (Boss, for all characters)

ELEMENTAL GODS Kagutsuchi (Earth God of Fire) (Deceased, Killed by Smoke & Sub-Zero, when still working for the evil Lin Kuei) Dojin (Earth God of Earth) (Deceased, Killed byTremor, while still a member of evil Lin Kuei) Suijin (Earth God of Water) (Deceased, Killed by Bi-Han while still alive and with the Lin Kuei)

DEFENDERS OF EARTH Bo Rai Cho (Madam Bo’s Husband) Mocap (Johnny Cage Summoned Helper)

EDENIAN GODS/ROYALTY Argus (Edenian God of Sight and Vision) (Deceased, Killed by Daegon) Delia (Edenian Goddess of Fire) (Deceased, Killed by Daegon) Jerrod (Edenian King) (Deceased, Killed by Shao Kahn) Sapphira (Edenian Queen, and real mother of Kitana) (Deceased, Killed by Sindel) Omegis (Edenian Minor Goddess of Plants) (Deceased, Killed by Tanya & Rain)

SPECIAL FORCES Jacqueline Bridge (Jax Daughter, Cyrax Lover) Cassie Blade (Sonya’s Sister) (Deceased, Killed by Kano & Hsu Hao)

OUTWORLD ARMY Goro (Leader of the Shokan) (Deceased, Killed by Motaro) Motaro (Shao royal guard) (Shao Kahn Summoned Minion) Meat (Entire group of creations, Guards of Flesh Pits) (Shang Tsung Summoned Minions)

BROTHERHOOD OF SHADOW Kia (Sareena’s and Ashrah’s Sister Demon) (Deceased, Killed by Ashrah) Jataaka (Sareena’s and Ashrah’s Sister Demon) (Deceased, Killed by Ashrah) Skarlet (Blood Golem created from Nitara’s own Blood) (Nitara Summoned Minion) Shadow Priests (Quan Chi Summoned Minions)

BLACK DRAGON Jarek (Axe Murderer, Prisoner on Seido) (Deceased, Killed by Jax during Seido prison outbreak) Tasia (Murderous Vixen, Prisoner on Seido) (Deceased, Killed by Sonya during Seido prison outbreak) No-Face (Pyromaniac, Prisoner on Seido) (Deceased, Killed by Seido Guards & Johnny Cage during the Seido prison outbreak) Hsu Hao (Smith and Cybernetic creator for Black Dragon)

CHURCH OF CHAOS Torr (Prisoner on Seido) (Ferra Summoned Minion)

TEKUNIN/ NEW LIN KUEI Grandmaster (Sektor’s Father, name unknown) (Deceased, Killed by Sektor) Hydro (Water-Based Cyborg) (Deceased, Destroyed by Sub-Zero and Scorpion)

OTHER Onaga (End Boss)

[sanjoongie]

Library of Illusion~ Sci Fi Section

Chrome Upgrade

📚Part Three for the Library Of Illusions Event

📚Pairing: Fixer! Yunho x Merc! Reader (f)

📚Genre: Fantasy au, Sci-fi au, Cyberpunk 2077 inspired, sleeping with the boss trope

📚Warnings: fighting, cybernetic enhancements, slapping, nipple play, yunho is horny over some knife play, mommy(reader)/little one(yunho) dynamics, penetrative sex with no barrier, creampie(s), oral (f receiving), cum eating, dacryphilia

📚Word Count: 3,809

📚Rating: 18+ MDNI, smut

📚Summary: the scifi section transports you to a cyberpunk world in which you are merc for hire with many upgrades and your boss, or fixer, pays you with chrome instead of eddie’s (eurodollar)

📚Dedication: @mejuii & @downtoamagicalland the best beta readers a writer could bribe have

↫The Fantasy Section ↭ MasterList ↭The Historical Fiction Section↬

You moved back and forth in front of a particular bookshelf but you had this feeling like you were missing it. You tipped your head back and you felt a zap of electricity when your eyes locked onto a bright yellow book with the title "Cyberpunk 2077" in sharp black lettering. You lifted onto your tippy toes, fingertips tingling as you managed to hook the book and bring it down into your waiting hands.

You opened it, and watched expectantly as the book flew out of your hands, landing upright with its pages flipping open, until it halted and grew to the size of a door. The center for the book was transparent, and within you could see a dark alleyway, filled with trash and lit up by bright lights. 

The hair on the back of your neck raised and you felt yourself getting real damn annoyed at this entity that was watching you. "You know, you could just reveal yourself before I meet you in this damn book!" You couldn't help but shout in frustration. 

It had to be the guardian of this section, right? Clearly they were both present in the books and in the library. "Or are you worried that I might reject you before you can weave a story to suck me into?"

You might as well be shouting into the void. Or so you thought. The shelves began to shiver and shake and a rush of wind rushed past you, blowing your hair behind you like you were in a wind tunnel. The fuck was that? Alright, maybe you shouldn't be provoking demons.

You decided now was a good time to walk through the portal.

You stood in the middle of an alleyway, neon lights blinking obnoxiously above you. In your hand was a chip and everything in your mind was telling you to put it inside of you. You felt behind your ear and gasped when your finger found a rectangle hole there. The chip slipped in easily and your eyes lit up as you processed the information on the chip. 

You were a mercenary for hire. Your fixer, or guy that hooked you up with jobs, was Yunho. You two had worked together pretty steadily but only after you had begged him to give you jobs. You had a gun and an itch to scratch back then. You had worked with a few crews here and there, maybe a partner, but ultimately no one could keep up with your thirst to prove yourself, to really make your name a legend. 

Now you had so many cybernetic enhancements you lost count. Circulatory system upgrades for your hacking. You had traded out your eyes a long time ago for easier targeting and to make them a pretty purple jeweled color. But your crown jewel were the blades that were implanted and replaced your arms. The blades stayed hidden and folded and you had full use of your 'hands', but the Mantis blades had been the best improvement you had invested in, surely.

A screen popped up in your peripherals and a faint ringing could be heard in your ear. The square said Your Fixer Yuyu was calling you. "I got the deets, Yunho, what's up?" You answered. 

"Another gonk got themselves snatched for cybernetics and organs," Yunho replied.

"Yeah, I got that already, what do you want?" You snapped.

You admired your clothes in this world: you were wearing skin tight pleather pants with cutouts at the hips, a bikini top and a large baggy jacket. You had an undercut on the side where you had slipped in your chip, but your hair fell in waves on your right side. Definitely the cyberpunk look.

"That same gonk left their bike outside the place where they had been sent to rescue the last guy," Yunho informed you. You winced. Oops. "Don't worry, choom, I got you. I called your bike away to park a few blocks. Just thought I'd let you know when you run out of there."

"Thanks."

"Orchid?" You fucking loved your merc name. The first upgrade you got as a merc were Mantis blades but insisted on a soft pink color. So they named you after a pretty Orchid Mantis. You were kinda proud of that, actually. 

"Yeah?" You answered.

"Come see me after this job, 'kay? I've got something to run past you."

"Got it, Yunho."

You ended the comms and cracked your neck. Time to cut up some idiot bodysnatchers.

You snuck into the building where your target was located. She was in an ice bath to keep her body chill. You checked for vital signs and luckily the damn gonk wasn't dead. Yet. That's when you allowed yourself to kill every damn bodysnatcher in the place, with no mercy. Who thought it was a good life choice to kidnap innocent people and steal their cybernetics off their corpses? You were a bit blood splattered afterwards but the trauma team came for your target once you booted up their biomon and you were already gone by then.

You jogged for a block, shrugging on your jacket and then you called in your bike. You didn't bother to check in with Yunho, you simply set his headquarters location to your GPS and headed there full throttle. You weren't sure what you prefered more: slashing people up with your Mantis blades or riding the road with your bike. Either one provided amazing adrenaline.  

You pulled up to the noodle shop and parked your bike in the front. The staff didn't even blink as you walked through the front and into the kitchen of the shop. You stopped in front of the deep freeze and the square of tiles before it blinked before popping open. You slid down the ladder and a cold nuzzle of a gun was pressed against the nape of your neck.

"Jesus, do you have to do that every damn time? It's Orchid, for christ sake. Let her in." Yunho yelled at his guard. 

You stuck your tongue out at the guard and he pulled his gun to holster it. You walked towards the glass box that was Yunho's office. The door snapped behind you with a whoosh. The glass tinted so that no one could see inside. Interesting.

"What's up, choom?" You said, not showing a hint of your worries. You planted your ass on the crescent shaped couch and crossed your hands behind your back.

Yunho approached the low coffee table in front of you. His broad shoulders filled out his orange and black leather jacket well. “When did you get the new ink?” Yunho motioned with his chin.

You looked down and saw a dragon on your hip. Odd. When did that get there? It didn’t fit the genre at all, it was a dragon from an old fairy tale novel illustration. Did you have another tattoo? Upon further inspection, you also had a switchblade on your shoulder. Both were clearly souvenirs from Yeosang and Wooyoung but… why? It couldn't be that they simply wanted you to remember them by tattoos you had not agreed upon. You figured you’d ask Seonghwa when you got back.

To answer Yunho though, you shrugged. “I gotta pass it by Daddy first?”

Yunho’s eyes darkened and narrowed them at you. “Are you giving me lip, little girl?”

You scoffed at the term. “A little girl that could slice you in half maybe.”

Yunho strode around the table, brought back his hand and slapped you, one of his rings scratching your chin as it hit. “Bitch? Are you saying you could take me on?”

"Yunho, Yunho, Yunho," You shook your head. "There's a reason you keep calling me to do all your dirty work. Because I get shit done."

"I give you the dirty work jobs because you're trash," Yunho corrected you.

You smiled and it was dangerous. "Careful. Those are fighting words."

"Not fighting words if they're true."

Your Sandevistan, the operating system that allowed you to move faster than the human eye could observe, kicked in and within milliseconds, you were on top of Yunho on the floor, your Mantis Blade at Yunho's neck. "I may be trash but I could still kill you, Yuyu," You crooned perilously. 

Yunho swallowed but even that motion put his adam's apple in danger, flirting with your blade. "You didn't tell me you got a Sandevistan."

"I don't tell my fixer everything in case he wants to take advantage of me." Your free hand started to absentmindedly play with the chains around his neck. "Now, how are you going to repay me for this?"

"This?" Yunho squeaked.

You clicked your tongue in annoyance. "I charge for my services; had to use my Sandevistan to show you who's really boss, didn't I? How much to let you go free too?"

Yunho scowled. "I don't--"

You ran the tip of your blade along Yunho’s face, the threat there. Yunho whimpered and you cackled. "Big talk for a big man-" You moved your body back and your lower half encountered something long blocking your way.

You cocked an eyebrow at him. "Yunho--"

"Don't," he said in a clipped tone. "Just pretend you didn't--"

You grinned evilly. "Your price just went up."

"Orchid, listen." Yunho was starting to sweat. "We have a decent work relationship. I'd like to keep it that way. Can't we just forgive the insults?"

"Or…" You slowly reclined your Mantis Blade built into your arm, folding it back in place. "...you could repay me in a different way. Do you have a Mr. Studd upgrade?"

Yunho's ears began to get red. "...yes."

"Give me an hour of your time, I think that would make us even."

Yunho looked so confused it was borderline adorable. “You… you sure?”

“Whatever you would have paid me as compensation would have gone towards some time at a dollhouse anyways, so why not, Yuyu?” You chirped.

Yunho nodded curtly. “Done.”

The Mr. Studd upgrade you were talking about was essentially an upgrade/sexual organ replacement. It ensured that the one using the upgrade lasted for hours, which is why it was standardly an upgrade a Doll, or whore, had. Why Yunho had it, you didn’t know, but you didn’t care at this point. It also meant that his dick was chrome colored, which was a bonus. 

You remained straddling Yunho on the floor but Yunho sat up, his upper body now vertical, holding himself up by his arms, palms flat on the concrete floor. You were cradling his head to your chest as he sucked on your tits. His eyes had widened upon seeing your nipples had been replaced with a cosmetic upgrade, making them a sea-foam green color. You continued to dominate your boss, having discovered that he also had a Mommy kink.

You couldn't help but coo at Yunho some more, his eyes were big as his lips were wrapped around your nipple. “That’s a good baby, sucking Mommy’s tits just the way she likes it.” Yunho whined against your breast. “Does my little one have something to say?”

Yunho popped off your nipple, leaving a string of saliva connecting from his tongue to your nipple. “Orch--Mommy.” You waited patiently for Yunho to say what he wanted to say. “Can I have your cunt now?”

If Yunho absolutely drooling over your tits wasn’t enough to make you sopping wet, that sentence certainly did the trick. “Do you think you earned it, little one?”

Yunho nodded quickly. “Please, can I have Mommy’s pretty pink cunt now?”

You sighed dramatically. “I guess you deserve it for sucking on Mommy’s titties so well.”

Yunho let out a comfortable sigh once you sunk down on his chrome dick. “Mommy feels so good around me.”

“Yeah, does Mommy squeeze you just right, Baby?” You started to move up and down his cock, making sure to clench when you had just the head of his dick inside of you and then pushed him back inside again.

Yunho moaned, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. You had no idea the straight faced, extremely tall fixer was such a sucker to be a sub for someone. You might have offered it earlier had you known. “More, please, Mommy, more!”

It’s not long before you have Yunho creaming between your thighs. He comes with a gruff cry but you hadn't found your high yet. But thanks to his Mr. Studd upgrade, that wasn’t a problem. You continued to fuck yourself on Yunho’s chrome dick, even after Yunho’s long drawn out moan faded from his lips. 

“Be a good baby and play with Mommy’s clit, hmm?” You encouraged him. You leaned back, hands on Yunho’s thighs to brace yourself, and started to fuck him that way. 

Yunho’s lips puckered like he wanted your tits back in his mouth but his eyes were on your clit. “Wanna suck on Mommy’s pretty clit, please,” He whined.

“Here, Baby.” You grabbed one of Yunho’s hands, which were large for a fixer’s, and sucked on his thumb, gathering your saliva along the digit before guiding Yunho to rub his thumb mercilessly along your swollen clit. “Right there, just like that,” You hissed, “You can suck Mommy’s clit another time, maybe when you’ve been a bad little one.”

“You’d sit on my face? Please?” Yunho looked eager and cute all over again.

You cupped Yunho’s face so that his cheeks were pushed together. “Stop being so cute and focus on the here and now, Yuyu.”

Yunho frowned, fucking up into your pussy with his chrome dick and flicked your clit until you came with a loud shout, thighs shuddering as your orgasm ripped through you. You panted and waited for your cunt to stop fluttering around Yunho and then asked him how long before he could go for his second round.

The second round included you degrading Yunho, as per his request. The harsher you were, the more he throbbed inside of you. He cried fat tears for you when he came the second time, proving to his Mommy that his dick was good enough and big enough to come inside a second time. You licked away his tears, having come only moments before him.

The third round you found that Yunho liked his nipples played with, to the point of overstimulation, to which he buried himself deep inside of you to come, nudging your uterus and making you come just as hard. By then, the two of you were clinging to each other, sweaty and exhausted but plenty satisfied. The only problem now was…

“What are we going to do with all this sticky cum, little one?” You mused, looking down at your pussy, which had his cum literally dripping out of you.

“Le-leave it there?” Yunho stuttered, his ears heating up again.

You cocked your head curiously at Yunho. “But Mommy wants to clean up, baby.”

“I…” Yunho opened his mouth and then closed it.

“Yuyu, after what we just did, there isn’t much to be embarrassed about,” You brought up.

Yuyu nodded his head but couldn't meet your eyes. “It’s dirty though.”

That made your proverbial ears perk up. “What’s dirty?”

“I want to eat my cum from your pussy, Mommy.”

"You're awfully greedy for my cunt, Yuyu," You couldn't help but tease him.

Yunho pouted. "Please. Mommy."

"I think you're past your hour," You mentioned.

Yunho clung to you harder. "I…I need this. Please."

Whatever constant state of control fixer Yunho was in, this seemed to be his safe place to let loose. You yourself had felt the tension leave his body, as he came and came and came inside of you. Perhaps you could come to some type of arrangement after the jobs he set you up on…

"Okay, baby, you can clean up my cunt with your tongue," You agreed, "But it's going to cost you."

Yunho was nodding, lifting you off his cock already, fully capable of setting you down on the ground and wrapping his arms around your thighs. "Thank you, Mommy," he said, almost like thanking you for his meal.

When Yunho's guard walked in to say that he had a visitor, Yunho was so pussy drunk that he never even responded. You looked at the guard, upside down with your head cast back because Yunho was working your cunt with his tongue quite well and said, "He's busy."

You couldn't believe when Yunho coaxed your fourth orgasm from your body but when your body stopped shuddering and you looked at your fixer between your legs, it was clear that this was exactly what Yunho should be doing for you.

Wait--

Shouldn't Yunho be giving you… something else?

Yunho smiled at you, his chin and cheeks covered in a mixture of his saliva, his cum and yours and you felt your brain stutter. "I did good, Mommy?"

"Course, Baby, you did brilliantly." You ruffled Yunho's hair.

"Maybe…maybe you could stay the night? I don't have anymore jobs for you and I--"

Whatever else Yunho was saying faded out as your brain once again attempted to tell you that you couldn't stay the night. You had somewhere to go. Did you, though? Couldn't you just stay here with Yunho?

"Orchid? Are you okay? Do you need a stim? I've got a few around here."

You watched as Yunho looked around his room, his leather jacket hanging off one arm absentmindedly. He really did look like a lost boy.

Wasn't he just like the others? The others?

You shook your head and rubbed your eyes. What the fuck was going on?

"Yun…I think someone is hacking me. I feel--weird."

Yunho stopped looking for the stims and sighed. "I almost thought I had you there."

The air tensed, warping and stretching and suddenly it snapped and you were back in the Science Fiction Section. Yunho had an arm already stretched out to pull his book out. Inside was a chip, the same that you had put into your slot in the book to absorb the information of the cyberpunk world and your job. 

Gone were Yunho's mixture of neon and baggy cyberpunk clothes. Instead, he was in a black button down, tight black pants, with a shoulder rig and a thigh harness. "Would it have been so bad to stay with me?"

You pursed your lips. "Yes, actually. I have someone else waiting for me."

Yunho, baby boy Yunho, was peeking out. "What's he going to say when he finds out you've fucked all us demons to get to him?"

Your dead lover's curling grin flashed through your mind and you felt your heart contract in pain. "He'd probably say he missed out on all the fun."

"I'll only give this to you if you give me a goodbye kiss, Mommy," Yunho said with a sneaky grin.

You rolled your eyes. "A bit demanding for a baby boy, aren't you?" You couldn't help but slip back into that role for a second. 

"What's one more kiss?" Yunho still challenged you.

You sighed and got up from the floor. You stretched up on your tippy toes and place a kiss on Yunho's lips. He sighed happily against your lips and slipped the chip key into your hands. "Miss me a little, okay, Mommy?"

Your head felt fuzzy from the mindfuck you were currently going through. Surely living so many lives so quickly wasn't healthy for you. Were you even going to make it through this? No, you couldn't think that way. You had only one purpose in your life now, and that was to bring your dead lover back with the use of the artifact. If you didn't have that, you had nothing. 

Seonghwa was humming under his breath and swaying in his chair when you approached the desk this time. He brightened slightly upon seeing you walk up to his desk. "Have something for me?"

You frowned at him. "Excuse me? Who are you and what have you done with the Keeper of the Keys?"

Seonghwa's smile widened. Did he… did he like when you talked down to him? "I talked with Yeosang. Seems like you've been treating us quite well, actually."

"Actually?" You raised an eyebrow at him.

Seonghwa's face turned stormy. "Not all travelers do their best to play the game. Most demand we simply give the keys to them. Hence my--" Seonghwa cleared his throat, "--my bad attitude towards your kind. We are simply demons doing our job, after all."

"Well, you've got me there, I guess. You guys are just cogs in the machine too, huh?"

Seonghwa looked at you eagerly. "Where did you go this time? What do you have for me?"

It was still a little weird that Seonghwa was now eager to see you but you handed him the chip key nonetheless. "Yunho."

Seonghwa's eyes began to have a shaky quality to them, almost like he was nervous. "Did you, uh, have any trouble with Yunho?" He scurried behind his desk and added your third key to your collection in the display case.

"Actually!" You inspected your body and not only found the dragon and switchblade tattoo but a new one was on your body now, after Yunho. You could feel the raised edges on your neck, near your chin. "Do I have something here?"

Seonghwa titled his head to look at where you pointed. "Is that a motorbike?"

"Interesting…" You began to nibble on your thumbnail. You only knew about getting the keys from the guardians, what was this tattoo thing about? "Do you know anything about these tattoos?"

Seonghwa rubbed the back of his neck. "You didn't come in with those?"

Was Yunho hinting towards something earlier? Did the demons not know anything beyond their jobs? What truly was this place?

You were halfway through your haul of keys. You only had three more to go but that didn't make you feel any more confident. You thought perhaps as you progressed, you would have a better understanding of this whole ordeal but as it turned out, you were getting more questions than answers. 

"Don't miss me while I'm gone, Seonghwa," You joked, "Maybe have some cookies when I come back. Chocolate chip is fine."

You left Seonghwa whining about getting his hands on freshly baked cookies and perused the sections that were left. A lilting song played by an instrument long forgotten poured from the section you had stopped at and your shoe sunk through a pile of sand. The sign above your head was made of stone and runes crossed over it. You blinked and the hieroglyphics quickly translated to the History Section. You had several times in history you loved but nothing came close to your obsession with Egypt. Maybe you'd be in luck and forge your own fate this time.

Tag list: @yoonguurt  @hijirikaww  @flowerboykun  @starillusion13  @flurrys-creativity  @kitten4sannie  @a-soft-hornytiny

Library staff: @kwanisms  @smallfrye  @anyamaris  @stardragongalaxy  @kpop-stories-21

↫The Fantasy Section ↭ MasterList ↭ The History Section↬

[ladygwyndolin]

Thinking about an AU with Liara as the Illusive Woman...wearing the suit and smoking and everything...and she's got Shepard as her right hand cybernetically enhanced N7 assassin...I need to lie down

[drama-glob]

Come Around Here Often?

Fizz and Ozzie go out to a club in disguise.

“You going to drink those by yourself or saving them for some lucky, loose demon?” he salaciously quipped as he quickly mixed and poured them for Fizz.

“He’s looser than you, that’s for sure,” Fizz slyly retorted with a toothy grin, earning him a wide-eyed expression from the other before he went to tend to someone else. The cybernetic imp gave a little snicker, followed by sipping on his fruity drink. While the music kept thumping, he started to tap his foot to the beat until he felt a finger delicately run along his tail. Straightening up with a start, he turned to find the demon responsible and instantly felt relief wash over him when he saw who it was.

It of course was Ozzie, although one couldn’t tell unless they knew of his magical abilities and other forms, which Fizz did (although the biggest indicator for him was always the Deadly Sin’s eyes). For tonight’s illusion, Asmodeus looked like a well-toned male imp who was a hair taller than his boyfriend. He had short, curved black and white horns, digitigrade legs, white scars on both sides of his neck that could be seen as love bites, a red, black and white-striped tail, and yellow eyes with acid-green irises. For his outfit, he went minimal with wearing a black choker with a red heart pendant, a leather vest and tight shorts that went mid-thigh.

Here is the link on AO3:

@charsawdeath @enbydemirainbowbigfoot @pastaprincess @my-dark-lord Time for a night out on the town. ;) ^_^

[nellasbookplanet]

I know I'm about a decade late but I've been replaying the Mass Effect trilogy for the first time since I was a teenager and I'm going absolutely bonkers trying to figure out if the endings are actively and stupidly working against the core themes of all three games, or if they actually thematically work but in the bleakest way imaginable.

All three endings are the embodiment of what we've been fighting literally from the start. In ME1 Saren thinks the Reapers cannot be defeated and so strives for Synthesis, thinking it will save us but not realizing he's already been indoctrinated and has basically willingly turned himself into a husk by the end. In ME2 & 3 the Illusive Man thinks destroying the Reapers would be a waste and that we should instead control both their technology and them as a species, ignoring that this is not only a heinous thing to do but also incredibly arrogant, seeing as anyone poking at Reaper technology gets indoctrinated. Both Synthesis and Control are actively argued against by the very narrative. That in combination with Destroy being the only ending in which Shepard survives, it’s no wonder many fans seem to consider it the only "true" ending (and it’s also not very surprising the indoctrination theory got so popular).

But Destroy comes with its own issues. Aside from the ethical implications of only being able to win by committing genocide against your own allies (synthetics in general, geth and EDI in particular), like with the other two it seems to be actively argued against throughout the narrative.

You are the strongest at the end by striving for cooperation throughout the games, showing time and again that destruction isn't necessary. You save the krogan from extinction, stop the geth and the quarians from wiping each other out. From Javik we find out that the strength of this cycle compared to his is the diversity and cooperation between alien species; from the Leviathan DLC as well as the history of the geth and of EDI we find that synthetics are only violent by mirroring their creators, and can be peaceful just as much as organics. And yet here is an ending arguing for completely wiping out all synthetics.

Assuming the writers were not actually trying to work against their own themes, this makes all three endings incredibly bleak. With the constant emphasis on making hard choices throughout the trilogy, is the point that there is no way to achieve a truly "good" ending? That you'll have to compromize your morals or your allies or both to stop extinction? That Saren or the Illusive Man's solutions could have worked had they not been corrupted, similarly to how synthetic implants (a step toward synthesis) did not automatically corrupt Shepard (with Kai Leng as a foil of cybernetic implants instead leading to indoctrination), or reaper code upgrades didn’t automatically corrupt EDI or the geth?

But if so, why are all endings presented as... happy? Why is Synthesis lifted as the epitome of evolution and peace while never touching the sacrifice of agency in the name of survival? Why does Control lift the "power in control" and "wisdom of harnessing the strength of your enemy" while ignoring the ethical implications of basically indoctrinating and enslaving the reapers in turn? Why does neither of these endings lift the risk of them turning sour the way they did for Saren and the Illusive Man? Why does Destory lift victory and rebuilding while ignoring the literal genocide that took place to allow for it? None of these are presented as bittersweet endings in which morals had to be sacrificed in the name of survival and a better future, but they also work against the themes in such an obvious way that I refuse to believe the writers didn’t notice. There must be more to it.

[bucknastysbabe]

OOP FOUND A FUN ONE

Prompt #452

Humans have an insatiable appetite for the minerals and other resources that are required to build robot and computer slaves. These natural resources are excavated from deep within the Earth's crust by a team of robots with enhanced artificial intelligence. You are a scientist who controls these robots through a cybernetic device implanted in your brain. But the robots have become self-aware – and are learning to control their master.

Rating: Explicit

Tags: TW: Violence, mind control, mention of assault, pnv!sex, we fackin robots, robot!bucky, dystopian!au, touch starved buck buck he’s a good boy, angst, open ending

Fracture - B. Barnes

A general term to include any kind of discontinuity in a body of rock if produced by mechanical failure, whether by shear stress or tensile stress. Fractures include faults, shears, joints, and planes of fracture cleavage.

The Pierce Corporation didn’t care about its expendable Cynernetics. They’d just send another team down. You were the lead scientist of this group, diving deep in planet XE-2A for Anthracite. Anything to keep the dying Earth alive just a bit longer. Holstering your stun gun you thumbed at the entry point of cybernetic implant in your brain. It had been bothering you recently— might need a trip to medbay soon.

Walker and Hodgkins, actual humans, watched over the multiple screens showing your crew. You let them have names, much to Walker’s chagrin. He was still sore on that demotion from not yielding enough minerals due to multiple uprisings under his leadership. Your team constantly was in the top echelon.

“See Walker, if you give them the illusion of choice, they’re much more eager to work,” you said, eyes scanning over Bucky working hard. The blonde glared at you and harrumphed, “They’re fucking machines, robots, AI designed by that prick Stark, you think they’re so obedient. Just wait.”

Hodgkins shrugged. Your implant spiked with pain, you wincing. Both pairs of eyes landed on you with concern. Shrugging them off you muttured, “Going to medbay, my chip port is off. Don’t fuck with the team, please.” Shuffling to through the dreary halls you sighed. Joining Pierce Corp you were hoping for more of the biological side, but they liked your leadership skills and stuck you down in the mines. The cold, uncaring, filled with god knows what mines.

You liked your team though. Let them take breaks, chat with them, sometimes come down to help out. Build a camaraderie. They were eerily close to human anyways, didn’t make much of a difference. Although you had to admit the new fellow didn’t sit right with your gut— he’d been transferred to your team recently. Didn’t want to take a name, just worked. He was under the notorious Rumlow before.

Cold eyes, snarky comments, vile sense of humor. He didn’t care much for you either, no matter how hard you had tried. Bucky, your best worker favorite, offered a pat on the shoulder and whispered, “He’s still messed up from Rumlow, don’t worry about it.” He flashed a pretty smile and you shook off your worries, Buck had a good way of making things seem better.

Another pang. You picked up the pace, growing fearful and agitated. If the chip didn’t work, you couldn’t get your bots back under your control. That meant a certain death. The coward Walker got lucky when they revolted on him. But it was unlikely they’d uprise.

A set of white doors opened and closed, a cleasing spray hosing you down, then the second pair opened. Dr. Banner looked up from his desk, raising a brow. Holding your hands up you joked, “Not the end of the world Banner, I’m not sick or infected with parasites. My inhibitor chip port keeps popping off with these sharp pains.”

He frowned and beckoned you over to lay down on a steel table, murmuring, “How long have you had these pains?” He waved a bright light in your pupils as you hummed, “Uh, about a month or so ago. They’ve gotten worse. First just random but now it’s irritating.”

“That’s strange. Haven’t heard of port issues. Maybe a wire went bad. Let me get an X-ray.”

You turned your head and he scanned the area, clicking his tongue. “Yep, bad wiring, want me to knock you out and take care of it now?” You nodded vigorously, begging, “Please! Driving me up a wall!”

Later on, you were in the mess hall with the other sector scientists, which usually was a dick showing contest. You and Yelena were the only females, usually sticking to your corner. Rumlow was recounting this female worker he’d cornered up and got her to suck him off after hours, Rollins and Sitwell eating it up like pigs.

“Maybe next time she’ll bite your dick off and do us all a favor,” you hollered over to the asshole. Eyes widened you sat back down abruptly, staring at Yelena in fear. You didn’t say that. You wouldn’t dare say that. What just happened?

Rumlow clicked his tongue and scoffed, “Oh shut it over there, everyone knows you and that silver armed freak have a little something-something going on.” You stammered, “I’m completely professional with my team Rumlow.” The blonde girl put a hand on your shoulder, shaking her head.

He stood up and leered at you, humming, “Mhmmm, if not then maybe you need to come to my quarters, might loosen you up a tad.”

“Fuck off Rumlow.”

“Bitch.”

It was quiet, you forking down your food, stomach in knots. Why did you say that earlier? It felt like you had a puppet pulling your mouth open. Yelena asked, “You alright?” Rubbing your port you mumbled, “I..I don’t know. Dr. Banner fixed my bad wire, maybe I just need a new replacement. It felt like something took control of me.”

Rumlow hollered across the hall again, “Hey, how’s that jackass A3-54 doing on your team now? Piece of work, think he’s too good to talk. Ain’t dumb enough to know he’s AI.”

The jolt in your body erupted again, sending you upright, slamming your hands on the table. “You’re all going to fucking die you bastards! And I know you’ll be first Rummy boy!” Rumlow advanced on you, snarling. He fell over on the table, out cold. Yelena holstered her weapon, set on stun. She eyed you and said, “Banner. Now.”

She briskly escorted you to the med bay again and declared upon entry, “Complete removal of inhibitor chip, something’s not right.” You tried to explain and then your vision grew tilted, blackness encompassing your vision.

Upon awakening the backup lights were on, red alarms flashing and blaring. You blinked open and felt your chip, still intact. Banner was dead on the floor, you held back a retch at Yelena’s lifeless body. Why were you still alive and what the fuck was going on? A voice prattled off in your head.

“Hi commander, it’s A3-54. Figured it was time for an overhaul before Pierce sends in the troops. Going to need you to manipulate a little override for me now, okay?”

Your body was moving, forcing you along step by step to Banner’s computer. You grunted in pain, “Stop…stop it..no!” Nasty laughter echoed in your head, other voices piping in. Tears slid down your face as you watched your fingers type in the codes, pulling up the interface for scientist and AI command chips.

“Fuck! Fuck please! Pierce will annihilate us all!,” you pled.

The override button was pressed, the sounds of cheering echoing in your scrambled brain. You crumpled to your knees, utter fear wracking your body. This place would be in flames before the end of the night. Catastrophic levels of hell. You slumped against the desk, head in your hands.

These robots were designed to be much stronger and durable. Without the control trip, you were powerless. The station would be turned around very, very quickly. You eyed your gun, contemplating ending it all. Shakily reaching for the weapon you held it to your temple.

“No!,” came a voice, “Put the fucking gun down.”

It was Bucky. Was he part of this? How could he— fuck. Your chest ached. Miserably moaning you responded, “What’s the goddamn point Buck? Go on, get out of range before the kill switch is activated.”

“Not without you. Where are you?”

“Med-bay. That fucking asshole killed Yelena and Banner.”

Staring at the two kind souls ripped to shreds, a familiar cold hand shook your shoulder. You lethargically stared at Bucky’s familiar face and croaked, “Why?” He gritted his jaw and picked you up easily, asking, “Where are the ships?” You laughed, “They’re probably being swarmed by now. We’re stuck on this rock.”

“I can tell you’re lying. Spit it,” he said, way too gentle.

Glaring at him you grumbled, “Bottom level. Top clearance. I should be able to get in. The smart ones will be there too.” Bucky grabbed Yelena’s gun and tucked it in his mining suit. You directed him toward the vaults, eventually making the robot put you down.

The pair of you made your way deeper and deeper down eerily greenish lit hallways. You finally mustered the courage to ask, “How long?” He raised a brow, interrupted by a hoarse sob, “How long did you know this was possible? I tried to be good, I cared for my team, I cared for,” you clamped your mouth shut. Shoving past Bucky you took the lead.

He called after you, catching up to wrap his titanium arm around your waist in a vice. Bucky’s chilly body was pressed tight behind you, artificially made lips brushing a sensitive ear. The brunette rasped, “I’ve been self-aware for a year now. But I didn’t know about the chip malfunction. The defective was talking about it but I thought it was impossible. You going to finish that sentence, commander?”

Tears streamed down your cheeks, Bucky wiping them away with synth-skin. He sighed, “You’re killing me right now, just say it.” Glaring the robot down you wheezed, “I cared for you. I care for you,” you pointed at him, “But I never would let this insolence slide if I heard of an overthrow.”

He frowned, looking painfully guilty. The rest of the walk was silent until reaching the huge doors containing the secret ship. A3-54 was making Rumlow open it up, the former master shaking with every movement. He was already profusely bleeding. A3 howled, “I’ll make you hurt worse, fucking hurry up!”

Blue synthetic blood and the red of human blood spattered the steel walls. You gasped in shock, wide-eyed look turned to the usually docile Bucky. His eyes looked hollow, sculpted lips turned down. The doors slid open to reveal the unharmed ship, shifting Rumlow with a slick squelch.

You felt sick. But you needed their bodies to figure this out. Bucky easily grabbed both of the deceased individuals, dragging them into the chamber. Right, hive mind currently. You slammed the lock on the door, sealing the space back up.

Rounding the back of the sleek ship, emblazoned with the grim logo of Pierce Corp, you keyed in, the walkway sliding down with a hiss. Bucky followed you in, still dragging the corpses. You hissed, “Put them in that compartment over there, please.”

You settled into the cockpit, placing the coordinates to the nearest home base. Bucky sat down next to you, still quiet. Only the clicking of the dash and hum of the thrusters starting up filled the void. The port opened and the ship zoomed off at hyper-speed.

“We have a day. I’ll have to relay a message soon. I’d like to be alone now.”

He didn’t move, metal hand crunching the steel arm of the chair. Bucky’s jaw clicked and shifted, eyes flickering around. He ground out, “I care for you too. It’s not in my programming. I should have reported A3 commander. Forgive me, please.”

You stared at his sorrowful blues for a long time, feeling numb. This was wrong. Everything was wrong. Why didn’t they put you in bio? You needed to send the message to base before they’d blast you on site.

Instead you ordered the robot, “Go pull out the cot.”

He nodded, eyes lighting up slightly. You kept your mind blank. “Lay on it,” came the addition. Confused orbs stared at you. Slowly you pulled off your gear, then the standard issue garb of your rank, dropping down to thin underwear. He got the point somewhere along the way, undressing frantically, arm whirring.

You eyed his frame, nakedness only hidden by issued briefs. Straddling perfectly crafted thighs you hummed, “Why did they even give you a cock?” Bucky’s cheeks purpled from the blue blood underneath. He stammered, “I- I- don’t know. Didn’t use it except for my hand.”

“Did you touch yourself to me BU-18?,” came your silky purr. He whispered, eyes closed in shame, “Yes commander, I did, many times.” You grabbed his hardened need and stroked it through the thin fabric, the poor thing gasping and whimpering.

“Never by anyone else, no other commanders, no team member on a lonely night?,” you hissed as jealousy grew in your gut.

His brows furrowed as you continued to pump his purpled cock, “Only you, you’re my ah! Commander. I serve you!” You palmed his cheek and growled, “Good boy. Obviously they wired you right.” He softly moaned your name, nuzzling into your warm touch. Like a reptile in a way, seeking warmth to heat their blood.

He stammered, “C-commander, can I kuh-kiss you please?” Bucky looked so pretty like this, your favorite strung out with need. For you. Leaning down your body pressed against his, full breasts pleasantly plastered to his huge chest. His artificial breathing ramped up, hands trembling at his sides.

“You can touch me Bucky, I forgive you, but don’t hide any secrets like that again.”

He pursed his lips, hands eagerly roaming your curves, tender and gentle. You tilted his head and chastely pressed your dry lips to his own, hand possessively holding a sharp jaw, thumb pressed up under on a pulsing vein. The brunette groaned into your mouth, a strangled attempt at your name. You took the chance to lap into his maw, lips sliding wetly.

You gently made contact with his tongue, Bucky jolting. Sensitive creatures. You chased it down again, your sweet boy whining through his nose as tongues tangled lethargically. His hands groped at you harder, massaging the softness of your ass. Bucky’s cock throbbed and pulsed underneath, needy.

You pulled back from his sweet lips, cooing, “You want to fuck me Bucky baby? Being such a good boy, getting me out of that death trap. Being loyal,” he whimpered again as your thumb played with his red lips.

“Please, I’ll be yours forever,” he promised. Deep in your heart and the hardwiring, you knew he meant it. Your own flesh and blood chest constricted at the strange emotions. You ran your fingers through soft hair and instructed for him to get on top. That was done easily with his impressive strength, Bucky now slotted between your thighs.

He closed his eyes again, slowing haphazard breath. You circled your thumbs into his hips, cooing, “Take your time, slow and steady Bucky. No rush.” He opened his eyes, blue orbs focused on your breasts, mouth coming down to suckle. He writhed and whimpered around your buds, making your cunt grow wetter and wetter. Greedy mismatched hands squeezed and played with the flesh, like he couldn’t get enough.

His began to slide against your slick heat, drawing the robot out of his reverie with a sharp cry. The brunette babbled, “Commander, ah, mmh, commander, lemme fuck you now, I- I’ll do my best.” You smiled gently, tugging on long locks, “I know, ready when you are.”

His wet lips gasped against your neck, the blunt head of his cock opening you up slowly. Your legs wrapped around his waist, heated from your own body. You laughed breathlessly, “Really though— they didn’t have to give you such a pretty cock.” Bucky smiled, open mouthed as he slid ever deeper into your cunt. He groaned, “I’m so- hngh- fuckin’ glad they did.”

He bottomed out inside your silky walls, flexing and pulling at Bucky’s most sensitive synth-skin. Cradling your hands in his hair you tugged again, breathing against him, foreheads pushed together. The robot’s hands held tight at your thighs while he began to slide back and forth.

Stuttering breaths intermingled as he grew more confident, picking up the pace of the fucking, your slick pussy entrancing him. You idly wondered if robots even could reach climax, if they’re like a fuck toy. Bucky moaned, “I’ll cum really fast if you think like that so more.” You kissed him desperately, laughing again.

The cot beneath you creaked as he thrust, tip of his cock making a toe-curling drag from your cervix all the way down the soft roof of your cunt. You gripped Bucky’s hair harder, moaning his name, growing higher in pitch on each push of his hips. One of your hands clawed at his back, blue blood reaching the surface.

He nipped at your jaw and your noses crashed together as Bucky took your mouth, feral with need. Trim hips and heavy balls clapped against your softer body, the slick noises of your pussy growing embarrassingly loud. Throwing your head back you cried, “Oh fuck- yes- right there! Good!”

Bucky had angled your hips to strike deeper into your sensitive walls, panting and grunting with effort. His chest dragged along your own, him whining, “Feel s’good, what can I do, is this good?” You nodded in disjointed jerks, moving the silver hand to your swollen bud.

“Suh-fuck-circles, tight, baby, yeah like that,” you instructed him in a tight whine, Bucky sucking his fat bottom lip under white teeth at your body reacting. You squirmed around him, tightening up, the robot returning to fucking you and roughly thumbing your clit as told.

You whined and begged, “Don’t stop, doing so good, kiss me baby, kiss me.” Desperately pulling Bucky’s moaning mouth to your own you licked into his mouth, lips colliding sporadically, your baby nipping at your lip. The pair of you cried eachother’s names wetly, bodies seizing up as climax overtook the senses.

You clamped down on him, clawing his back again, whining. Bucky’s hands tightened to the point of pain, him grunting and moaning as he peaked, cock pulsing and swelling. He whimpered, “Oh fucking hell, I love you.” You pretended to not hear it and kept attempting to kiss him as the orgasm crashed and subsided like a wave.

In the wake, Bucky leaned back onto his haunches, cock sliding out with a slick noise. He pet your thighs, apologizing, “I- uh- didn’t mean to say that.” His cheeks were dark with that synthetic blood, eyes watery with embarrassment. You leaned up with a hiss, cradling his face.

“Look at me.”

He reluctantly did.

“After all of this, I think I love you too. Always were my favorite. We need eachother now. More than ever.”

His shoulders slumped with relief, seeking another kiss, this one short but meaningful. You sighed, “Fuck, I need to send that message, c’mon let’s get dressed.” He nodded shortly, helping you up. Bucky shooed your hands and murmured, “Let me.”

The brunette helped you back into underwear and your uniform, leaving the armor scattered around. You helped him do the same and limped to the pilots seat. Dialing the base radio code you cleared your through and spoke, “This is Commander Alpha 5, I have evacuated the revolt on XE-2A. My team is missing, A3-54 was the defective and is dead. We have it’s body for study. BU-19 remained compliant and has accompanied me. I also have the body of Commander Alpha 4, Brock Rumlow. We expect to arrive within an Earth rotation.”

You sat back with a sigh, waiting for a reply. The radio crackled and a voice returned.

“Thank you Commander Alpha 5, you have done good work. We will be expecting your safe arrival. Signing off.”

You didn’t expect to be greeted by the CEO himself in a tiny office at the base. Space floated on outside a thick window. Bucky sat next to you, arms chained. Alexander Pierce commended you and then his face turned eerily serious. Two guards stood silent behind you.

He murmured, “What happened on XE-2A was unprecedented. But from our failures we find new research. You and BU-18 will need to be studied for some time. This…partnership…established between the pair of you is magnificent.”

You shared a look with Bucky. Atleast you’d be with him for experimentation. You assented, “Thank you sir, I am in support of anything for Pierce Corp.” 

He smiled, “Good,” his eyes flicked to the back, “Ready the chairs for them.”

[cyberpunkonline]

The Race for the Everything App in the West: Unraveling the Quest for Digital Domination

In the neon-drenched, cyberpunk reality of the 21st century, the digital realm is witnessing a colossal battle, reminiscent of Neal Stephenson's speculative universes. Tech corporations, with their sights set on the horizon, are not just competing but are on an ambitious quest to forge the "Everything App"—a digital El Dorado that promises to centralize our online lives. This pursuit, led vigorously by X (formerly known as Twitter) and echoed by a symphony of other platforms, is transforming the way we interact with digital services.

At the heart of this evolution lies a simple, yet profound strategy: expansion beyond core functionalities. Apps that once specialized in specific domains are now crossing into territories uncharted, offering a suite of services that range from messaging and social networking to financial transactions and beyond. This trend is not a mere coincidence but a calculated move towards creating a digital ecosystem where users can perform every conceivable online activity within a single app.

The Vanguard of the Everything App

X, under the stewardship of Elon Musk, is potentially the most audacious contender in the race. Initially a platform for microblogging, X is now venturing into areas like payment processing and content creation, aiming to transform itself into an indispensable tool for its users. However, X is not alone in this pursuit. Apps like WeChat in China have already demonstrated the viability of the "everything app," serving as a model for Western counterparts.

Facebook (now Meta), with its vast suite of services including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus, is another titan striving to stitch together a comprehensive digital tapestry. Google, through its ecosystem encompassing Gmail, Google Pay, and YouTube, is also inching towards creating a unified experience. Meanwhile, Amazon's expansion into cloud services, media streaming, and even groceries underscores the same ambition: to be the one-stop digital shop for its users.

The Siren Song of Convenience

The allure of an everything app lies in its promise of unparalleled convenience. Imagine a digital Swiss Army knife that not only connects you with friends and family but also handles your finances, entertains, educates, and even shops for you. The potential benefits are immense, offering a seamless integration of digital services that could simplify user experience, enhance efficiency, and possibly even reduce the digital clutter of having multiple apps for different needs.

A Dystopian Shadow

However, beneath the glossy surface of convenience, there lurks a more sinister possibility. The consolidation of services into a single platform raises alarming concerns about privacy, data security, and monopolistic control over the digital lives of billions. The more we rely on a single app for our daily needs, the more we risk creating a digital monoculture vulnerable to surveillance, censorship, and exploitation. In a dystopian twist, the everything app could become the ultimate tool for digital hegemony, where choice is an illusion, and autonomy is traded for convenience.

The Unstoppable Momentum

Despite the dichotomy of potential outcomes, the race towards the everything app is unlikely to slow down. The convergence of services into unified platforms reflects a broader trend in digital evolution, driven by user demand for efficiency and the corporate quest for dominance. As this race accelerates, we find ourselves at a crossroads, navigating between the utopian dream of digital convenience and the dystopian nightmare of centralized control.

The everything app is both a looming threat and a beacon of progress in our communications landscape. Its emergence is a testament to our insatiable appetite for innovation and our willingness to explore the unknown. As we venture further into this digital frontier, the decisions we make today will shape the cybernetic world of tomorrow. The everything app is not just a possibility; it is an inevitability. Time will tell whether it becomes a tool for liberation or an instrument of control.

In the words of Neal Stephenson, we are coding our own new world, and in this world, the everything app stands as both the zenith of our aspirations and the nadir of our fears. As we hurtle towards this uncertain future, one thing is clear: the digital landscape will never be the same again. - REV1

[proustian-dream]

As is well-known, female dis-ease in capitalism is often expressed not in an assertion of the 'natural' against the artificial, but in the anti-organic protest of eating disorders and self-cutting. It's hard not to see this -as I.T. following Zizek does- as part of the 'obsession' with 'realistic reference', an attempt to strip away all signs and rituals so as to reach the unadorned thing-in-itself. Goth is in many ways an attempt to make good this symbolic deficit in postmodern culture: dressing up as re-ritualization, a recovery of the surface of the body as the site for scarification and decoration (which is to say, a rejection of the idea that the body is merely the container or envelope for interiority). Take Goth footwear. With their flagrant anti-organicic angularity, their disdain for the utilitarian criteria of comfort or functionality, Goth shoes and boots bend, bind, twist and extend the body. Clothing recovers its cybernetic and symbolic role as a hyperbolic supplement to the body, as what which destroys the illusion of organic unity and proportion.

Mark Fisher, "For your unpleasure: the hauter-couture of goth", k-punk