When not focusing on the blueprints, I was focused on the upgrades. I was behind on a lot of research. First was the limb blades. From there, it was a basic handgun barrel with a 10-shot magazine. Next up was a shotgun. I thought it was cool. Then was a bolt action rifle. Finally, was the big automatic rifle. After that was a small red light laser cannon. The cannons were a separate branch of research. They got higher frequency of fire and color. At the end of both trees was a plasma cannon. When the research for the plasma cannons was complete, I marveled at it. It had taken weeks. Paul and Brett were actually annoyed that everything was taking so long. Unlike in the PEA and PEP labs, the AEP units could create anything with their nanites. They just needed the blueprints for it. All of them could simply download schematics from the network in their lab. I had seen it in person multiple times as their bodies morphed to create new organs. From there, they had to choose on what upgrade they wanted and what part of their bodies would they put it. I wondered what it would look like.
They were able to connect to the chairs and download all the blueprints they wanted. They closed their eyes to visualize it in their minds. As it downloaded, their bodies began to create it. Their nanites shifted and wiggled as the cyborgs' bodies constructed the cannons. Since it was the best to get, they all got it. Star 01-03, Beer 01-03 and Pump 01-03 all elected for the same thing. A massive plasma cannon was centered on their stomachs aside from the Pass series. They got theirs in their throats so that they could blast people with their mouths. They also all went for thigh blades and a pair of shotgun barrels on their upper backs. This version had 15 incendiary rounds due to the upgrades from the research. Finally, they all installed a handgun barrel in each of their butt cheeks. Paul, Brett and I looked at them. We did not know about the last choice. That aside, they were all strong but there were much more flashy options they could have had. "I need a discrete weapon for when I'm not facing the enemy." Pump 02 explained. That was as good a reason for choosing it as any other.
Champion was actually not born with a port in his chest. That meant that he could not plug in and download and create the upgrades in his body. He looked sad. All the other AEP units gave him dirty looks. I stood next to my son and nodded at them. That was not all I had to offer to them. Only Peyton, Connie, Barbara and Tracie had integrated the magnetic organ that made them immune to bullets. I gave the organs to all the AEP units present. It was placed in the lower back of the vassal AEP units. I guessed that that was the only spot they could fit it. Champion asked for one. I gave it to him. He placed it against his stomach. He said "I want to integrate it now. I think it will take me some time to forge the connections using my nanites." I nodded and watched. Just like with 12-001, it seemed to be a really, really energy consuming and painful process. That was not something he could withstand. He fell to his knees as they gave out from the pain. White nanites were leaking everywhere from the very unstable Champion's body. Both Brett and I were there to quickly heal him using our magic.
Amazingly, he was able to properly integrate it. As the child of 10-003, he was able to make the metallic toxic needles that his mother could. They were just as white as the rest of his body and only half as effective in combat. I looked at Star 03 as he was the closest to us. I asked him to give me his cannon. He blinked at me. "Excuse me, Brianne. You want me to give you... what?" Star 03 asked. I just pointed at his stomach and said "I said that I want your plasma cannon. Can I have it?" He looked at the members of his clan. They had no words to give him. They were silent. "Why do you want my cannon? A human can't use it. It requires a nanite connection to our quantum processors to fire." he said. He was stalling. I pointed to Champion. "He might be an unstable hybrid, but he is still my son. He has proven that he can integrate and connect organs using his body's nanites. I want to see if he can do it for all the upgrades as well." He looked from me to Champion and let a look of disgust cross his face. "I am sorry, Brianne. I would rather not remove my plasma cannon." Star 03 replied.
