Death & Desertion

<snip>
"I think the program messed up..."

"Thanks, Genius." Jade fleered. "I'd never have guessed."

</snip>

"Well..." Jamie said standing on the precipice above the blue goo. Bloo? No, that was toilet cleaner...

"I guess it's my turn." He said, looking around at everyone. Their forms inspired him, for the most part. Though he wasn't sure what was going on with Jade's part plant form. Perhaps it would give her some strengths against the virus that weren't apparent now, but it was obvious that he needed to jump in and join everyone in their 'perfection'.

"Wish me luck." He said, and jumped in. Everyone tore their eyes from Jade's new form, and watched as Jamie splashed into the gloop below.

"Jamie Eastlick. Commander in the Space Corps Engineering Department. Missing, Presumed dead at the destruction of the SSS Hercules. Records amended to reflect survival, and obvious desertion of posts, and duties." The computer said, things which everyone knew about, for the most part.

"A working man, no family of his own to speak of. Put his career and abilities before anything else." It continued. Jamie stayed within the gloop, not caring what it said. There wasn't anything he didn't already know anyway.

"Memorial support states posthumous promotion to Engineering Captain." The computer continued, then made a noise not dissimilar to a throat clearing. "Obviously they didn't get the memo about deserting."

"The SSS Hercules was destroyed during the Hymenoptera war. The fusion core overloaded and vaporised the ship, and all on board." it said once more.

"Social abilities lacking, tends to give machines more social niceties than humans, and believes them to be truly sentient." It said, changing tact to a softer, nicer voice.

Something in the depths of Angel Alex's mind made him want to say "Kiss-ass", but the new Angel persona overruled it.

"Willing to risk his life to save a droid, though never showing the inappropriate robosexual tendencies that SOMEONE else who shall remain Nameless might show." it said, then paused.

The gloop parted, and the sound of jet-engines filled the chamber, as a shining gold machine man flew up from the blue stuff, and landed in front of them. It's chest glowed with a bright white light.

"Jamie Eastlick, You are the Iron Man. A power armour suit powered by a micro fusion reactor, a miniaturised version of the same core that should have killed you. Now it's power protects and empowers you."

Jamie nodded at them all. His golden helmet reflected the light from above, but covered all flesh.

"What now?" He asked, his voice sounding slightly detatched and mechanical.

<tag. I have only tagged the people directly mentioned in this post>