Imposter System

[Host: Alexandria Nikos

Status: Grade 0 Tertiary Parasite, Grade 0 Dormant Parasite

Evolution Points: -2

Abilities: (DISABLED)[Growth Lv. Max], (DISABLED)[Infection Lv. Max], [Face Blindness Lv. 1]

Skills: [DNA Absorption Lv. 0], [Weak Transformation Lv. 0], [Inferior Spawning Lv. 0], [Inferior Hypnosis Lv. 0]]

Matt investigated the disabled abilities as well as the second parasite and it seemed like Alexandria was recently infected by someone. Matt wasn't sure if this was pure chance or if the other part was aware of Matt's status. He narrowed his eyes as he read the skills. Based on what he knew, the owner of the first parasite was likely Patient Zero, and in the Faceless Devourer path.

[Grade 0 Dormant Parasite: Originally growing freely, this parasite's host was taken by another master. In its attempt to retaliate, it discovered the primary body of the invader was in the same cellular line of a higher authority. Thus, it reverted to dormant state awaiting further command.]

'Looks like this attempt at turning Alexandria into your puppet became a big gift to me instead. Not only did it give her abilities of a sub-body, but you also even left the sub-body here for me to use!'

[Face Blindness Lv. 1: The parasite which infected you is an incomplete product with massive genetic manipulation by an outside force. Due to this, you have lost the ability to recognize faces of your common host species. However, you are able to make minor changes to your appearance within a range of your original host appearance.

]Transformation (Incomplete): ±20%]

Matt realized he suddenly had a timeline established. He was aware of Alexandria's face blindness, but originally thought it was related to the brain tumor. Perhaps the supposed "brain tumor" was like this ability, something related to the other parasite. If he could figure out the exact day when she lost her ability to perceive faces, then he could figure out the identity of Patient Zero.

However, Matt frowned. The parasite used by Patient Zero was, in a sense, damaged. Matt could imagine the possibility of scientists using their knowledge and abilities to revive a half-dead parasite. This seemed to have caused abnormalities in its functions since the parasite rarely gave bad skills or abilities. Matt wondered if there was any chance of recovering for Alexandria.

These were all problems for another time. Right now, he needed to locate Patient Zero. Since he is in the Faceless Devourer branch, he could look like anyone. The earlier Matt finds him, the easier it will be to locate him. Worst case scenario, they had to wait for him to go on a killing spree to catch him. Matt looked over at the clock on the wall and sighed.

Since he was currently on leave, he wouldn't be able to access any of the ship functions allotted to his position. In the end, he still had to just wait. He snapped out of his deep thinking when he noticed Alexis waking up. The first thing she did was check on Alex. After seeing that he was okay, she came back over to Matt.

"What happened? Is Alexandria okay?"

"She's fine. Better really. Look—" Matt shared the status screen with her while point at her body. Alexis turned as the mental image appeared in her mind. She raised her brow in shock. It didn't take long for her to make the connections. They had just turned her at the perfect time. If they waited any longer, she could have been completely taken over by the parasite once it matured.

Fortunately, her tertiary bodies didn't need a maturation period. Since they didn't provide any benefits, they could be directly applied to the host. Eventually, Alexandria began to wake up. She suddenly felt a closeness to Alexis she hadn't felt before. Additionally, she could finally recognize her face as well.

Alexandria came over and began rubbing Alexis's cheeks in awe. Matt couldn't help but let out a laugh, which caused Alexis to end the strange interaction.

"Wow you're so pretty Lexi, I'm so glad I can see you now." She was so happy, tears rolled down her cheek. Living in a world where everyone around her were faceless monsters had given her nightmares. She occasionally had a dream of going to the bathroom and looking at the mirror only to have a completely blank face. Many times, she had woken up in terror because of it.

"Okay, you can stop now." Alexis said in a commanding voice, and Alexandria immediately stopped and came to attention as if waiting for more orders. It seemed natural to her to do this. This was her loves first wife, of course she had to listen, Alexandria thought.

"Er… just relax." Alexis saw the change and realized how easy it was to activate the commanding ability. Since Matt had never used it, she didn't know the feeling. Everything was new for her since this was her first time infecting someone. However, the feeling was exhilarating. She suddenly had a thought of creating an army of servants that would wait on her. There was no question to her as to why the branch was called 'Hive Queen.'

Matt didn't notice the strange, almost deranged look on Alexis's face since it only lasted for a split second. He stared at Alexandria the whole time and realized something he hadn't noticed before. Matt never made it a habit to stare at people's faces, but there was something just off about her now. He then looked over at Alexis and it clicked.

It was an unfortunate thing for her to have face blindness with the ability to transform her appearance. She would typically have to rely on her memories as a reference for the transformation. However, it seemed that the connection between the two removed the blindness towards Alexis. Because of that, Alexandria accidently activated her ability. Her face structure had changed ever so subtly to resemble Alexis.

They looked like sisters now. Then, Matt thought about the conspiracy to bring Alexandria to his side last year. He had originally assumed the plan was simple as a similarly sounding name. But what if Shephard was working with Patient Zero and infected Alexandria in order to transform into someone important? In order to transform into Alexis…?

It was all speculation so he couldn't definitively say anything. Meanwhile, Alexandria noticed that Matt was staring at her, causing her heart to begin beating rapidly. She had passed out earlier after taking the pill, and not much had changed. She wondered if it was perhaps an aphrodisiac and Matt wanted to ravage her.

"What are you thinking to make such an erotic face?" Alexis interrupted her strange thoughts.

"I was wondering if Matt would ravage me now…" She blurted it out against her own will and was surprised at herself. Alexis clicked her tongue. She had unconsciously used the connection to command her to speak.

"There won't be any ravaging today. There are important things to discuss. Start reading this."

Matt handed her a tablet with a document already open on it. The document was just some random legal speak on it about confidentiality, but Matt still didn't completely trust Scorch, so he needed to tread carefully at times. While Alexandria began reading, a voice sounded out in her head.

{I am talking to you directly with telepathy. Don't look up. Continue staring at the screen. I'll explain everything from the beginning…}

During the explanation, Alexandria did a good job of keeping a straight face. Although a lot of the things Matt was telling her shocked her, based on what she already knew, it wasn't too hard to swallow. By the end of the explanation, she had reached the bottom of the document and signed her name.

"Now that you've signed that confidentiality agreement, let me tell you about the situation. There is currently an experiment on the loose known as Patient Zero. It is very likely that he can change his appearance due to the experiment he was a part of."

"I have reason to believe that you have actually encountered Patient Zero when you were infected with the Living Metal. Although you were unable to describe the person that was in the lift with you at the time, I believe that he is likely to be our target."

This was the first time Alexis heard of that, so she turned to Matt in genuine surprise as well. Alexandria connected the dots with the whole story Matt told her and realized that she was infected by that person in order to get close him. Right before the whole situation began, she recalled there was a new member to her engineering unit which nobody had ever met before.

"Colonel Harland David Sanders the Sixth. I'll never forget his name. He was transferred because he assaulted me. My symptoms began after that day, but I never would have connected it to him…"

Matt's eyes narrowed as he thought about that name. Could it be that the fried chicken chain was still active back on earth? Or was that a fake name from someone with memories of the twenty-first century…?