Chapter 8: Marker

The reverse-engineered Marker I brought back from that universe was interesting. It was almost a tier 1 technology, but not quite there. It was a creative application of tier 2 technology. Even though it was abominable.

When I got back, Cloud pestered me. Cloud pouted, "Why didn't you take me on the adventure with you?!"

I sigh, "Daughter, it was my first tran-universal slipspace jump with multi-universal navigator. Even though I was sure it'll work, a scientist must still use proper caution. Which is why I didn't bring you. If I got lost, it'll be no great trouble for me to get back. If you got lost, you will have great trouble returning back."

Cloud then says, "Well, since you've tested that it works alright. Can you take me on the next one?" Gust joins in, "Ooh, take me to. Sounds fun."

I says, "I can, but one of you must stay. You two are the only transcended of the Cloud Walkers. All others are still sages. If both of you come with me, other beings of your level will see an opportunity. You both still have responsibilities."

Cloud retorts, "So if there were other transcended, you'll be able to take both of us?" I nod, "Yes, I would. Now, may I work on my new research subject?"

Cloud and gust laugh. Cloud says, "Sure then Father. We'll go train up the sages then. This way, we can have fun sooner." As they both go to leave I call out, "One more thing children. No one is allowed in superlab F6. For their own safety. Not even you both, understand?"

Gust and Cloud say they understand and are on their way. I go back to researching the Marker. The EM waves that can revive the dead into necromorphs and induce hallucinations are interesting. They emit like a song. The Marker even has more than one song to it. I found that the necromorphs were not showing up as living because their flesh was being stimulated by the Marker. Just like how an electric shock will get a muscle to spasm or twitch. The Marker uses its EM waves as strings, and the necromorphs are the puppets. Puppets all listening to the same song.

The EM waves need a catalyst to be able to work better though. I used some animals at first, but the Marker didn't affect them. Then I used some human scum. The Marker reacted and slowly made them commit suicide. Then they became necromorphs. I took samples of the necromorph flesh and found a contagion. The contagion wasn't alive by the definitions of common biology but it was active. The contagion was found to resonate with the EM waves, and expedite the death and trnasition of whoever was infected with it. The first necromorph creations are slow as they have contagion for the catalyst. After the first generation, infection happens quickly and then becoming a necromorph. Probably what happened on that huma ship.

(Note: this may not be right, but I'm taking some liberty here. I felt like this was good idea for how the markers and necromorphs worked.)

I conclude, "The Markers are no more than factories of organic droids(necromorphs), as well as their control towers. The purpose of their creation still eludes me. Although it is highly likely they were simply made as weapons of mass destruction(WMDs).

I am still missing some crucial data to discover every song a Marker has. For this, I need a Black Marker, an original. I must return to that universe then.

I can't take Cloud or Gust on this trip either though. The Markers are simply too dangerous and mysterious. I don't want to chance them getting affected by them.

I call Cloud on a hard light communicator, "Cloud, I am heading back into that Universe I went to. I know I said you can come next time, but I can't; not for this. The technology I will be dealing with is far too much of a threat. I don't want to chance it affecting you."

Cloud then gets worried, "I understand Father, but will you be alright then?" I smile at her concern, "Don't worry Cloud, your Father is a genius. The technology will not pose a threat to me. I promise I'll find a beautiful universe for you and I to visit later, okay."

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Cloud smiles, "Okay then Father, be safe. I'm looking forward to that beautiful universe."

I got on Aspiration and returned to the what I call, the Marker Universe.

(Note: MC doesn't know about the game dead space. So of course he wouldn't call it the Dead Sapce universe. He would name it after something unique in the Universe. Hence, Marker Universe.)

Now back in this universe. I calibrate my sensors to find a Marker. I locked onto the strongest signal and activated slipspace. What awaited me was a moon-sized celestial body

The moon was odd to me. I zoomed in my visuals and my eyes widened. The moon was made of flesh.

I muttered, "A moon sized necromorph?!" I check my sensors, they indicate that a Marker is at the center of that moon. I gloss over my life sensor before bringing my eyes back on it. The moon is giving off a reading of it being alive.

Then everything started to click in place. The whole point of the Markers. Why there were copies. Why it puppets flesh. The point is to bring it all together when it has infected enough. The Marker isn't a only a piece of technology. From the files gained from the human ship, red Markers are made from Black Markers. The Black Markers must be the one that contain the main consciousness. The red are for the spread.

I chuckle, "The Markers are a heretical attempt by a alien civilization to attain immortality. An immortality with such a great cost. I had thought they were something more, but no. The Markers were made because some old aliens didn't couldn't accept death. So they skipped their development and took this shortcut to immortality, becoming Black Markers."

I say to Adjournment, "Activate Aspiration's primary gun. I want that moon obliterated. Along with the Marker or Markers on/within it. Now that I know the end goal, the reason, and the purpose; there is nothing left to learn. Destroy it."

Adjournment confirms my command, "Gladly Master, engaging Black Hole Laser Main Gun." The main gun of Aspiration creates a contained black hole that is then fed with energy to create he conditions required for it to emit a laser. A black hole laser is a cosmic middle finger to anything in its way. The moon was there, then the moon was gone. That was how powerful the laser was.

Adjournment relays the results, "The moon has been obliterated Master. What are your next orders."

I give the command, "Find a suitable planet to turn into a shield world. Begin mapping out the locations of other Markers. Then begin the creation of a cleansing fleet once the shield world is up and running."

Adjournment confirms the command, "Right away Master..."

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