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“Triple-Oh One?”

Within a few moments, a pile of black liquid ungulated into the room. The slime stretched out into a shape: a short kobold with scales black as night, figure hourglass and shining in the low light. It wore nothing except a metallic visor with a green screen and a steel collar, “#0001” engraved into it. The kobold stood at attention in front of the one who summoned it.

“Mirediste?” it said in a voice as slippery as its own body.

Umbra took a moment to think about her words, leaning back in her obsidian-shaded seat. She gestured towards the screen on the far wall of her command room, causing it to flicker to life.

“One, there’s been something on my mind recently. Well, a few things. Some of your fellows.”

“The other Umberlings, Mirediste?” the kobold asked.

“Yes…” Umbra said, trailing off. “I know you’re not exactly made to think, but, well, there’s a reason you’re one of the few drones I let keep some critical reasoning ability.”

“And I thank you for such a gift, Mirediste,” it said, bowing on instinct.

“No need for the flattery right now, One,” she commanded, and it immediately stood fully. “As you know, recently I have made great efforts towards expanding our numbers. Thankfully that process has been greatly aided by the Umberlings assigned to conversion, but I’ve been receiving some odd reports that I did not anticipate in my planning.”

Without any effort from herself, Umbra’s computer screen showed footage of one of the newest units in the middle of reprogramming - #0428. As with all drones, they’d already been given their new body of goo and gadgetry, and were now undergoing the mental process of becoming a perfect Umberling. However, this unit’s processing was already at the “flooding” phase, whereas most were still in the preparatory phases.

“Not only has this unit already reached the third phase of reprogramming in under 24 hours, but it’s also been progressing through this phase much more efficiently than usual…its brain is like a voracious sponge, absorbing every artificial memory it’s being fed without hesitation.”

After a moment, the villain turned back to her drone. “Is this all making sense, doll? I know you don’t remember any of your own reprogramming.”

“Yes, Mirediste,” #0001 chirped. “Flooding, or the process of replacing a unit’s memories with ones in Mirediste’s image, is generally one of the most intensive parts of the Umberification process. Thus, you are concerned as to why this individual is taking to the process so quickly. It is as if this one is actively attempting to be assimilated into the umber.” Umbra was the only one within the umbral network that #0001 didn’t have clearance to directly read the thoughts of, but its proximity with her still led it to making acute guesses at her thinking process.

“Precisely! What a smart drone you are!” As thanks, the villain sent a pleasure signal directly to #0001’s visor. The kobold moaned softly as it felt something akin to a caress by a goey hand upon its snout.

Turning back to her screen, Umbra put a hand on the bottom of her muzzle. “This isn’t the first time this has happened. In fact, there are a few similar units in this latest batch of inductees. So my query then: what is the cause of all of this?” She felt her science background coming out in full force; a problem was in front of her, and she simply had to get to the bottom of it.

#0001 deliberated internally before piping up again. “If I remember correctly, Mirediste, we are to keep a copy of each unit’s memories of their imperfect life until we have ensured Umbrafication is complete.”

“Indeed, One. It would be the unfun kind of mess if the process somehow went wrong and we had a vessel with no personality or memories.” Although…the idea of a unit with absolutely no memory had come up before. She made a mental note of the idea, and her visor saved it in a file to be revisited later.

“In that case, perhaps you could index this person’s memories and look for anything that may align with a desire to be turned into an Umberling?” #0001 suggested.

Umbra squinted her digitized eyes. “Perhaps, but indexing a memory is always such an intensive process. You all lead such drab, pointless lives before reprogramming…but perhaps I could assign another unit to it.”

The villain idly shifted the view on the screen a few times, viewing the process of Umberling #0428 turning into the perfect, obedient drone from different perspectives. She mentally fiddled with the cameras for a few minutes, sighing at the thought of having to see this unit as a person. Imperfect, mortal, human. Without the ideal body, voice, and presentation that they had chosen for themself the moment they donned the mechanical mask.

“Is Mirediste in need of stimulation? Either for pleasure or to help with focus?” #0001 asked, a little too eagerly.

“No, One, but thank you. It’s just…if only there was a way to speak to its old mind…”

A sudden epiphany caused a literal lightbulb to display on Umbra’s visor between her eyes. She stood up quickly, her chubby goo body sloshing as she gestured subtly towards the screen. Her computer opened and closed programs rapidly, eventually settling on an application for artificial consciousness simulation.

“Oh-Three-Nine-Nine and Oh-Four-Oh-Two, please index Oh-Four-Two-Eight’s memories for any…predisposition to psychological manipulation or memory alteration.” Umbra commanded. Immediately, the chair behind her deformed, turning from a slimy throne into a pair of Umberlings. #0399 and #0402 immediately set to work without hesitation, visors brightening as they began their search.

“Anything more from me, Mirediste?” #0001 asked, shifting a bit closer to her.

“Standby, One,” Umbra commanded, trying to concentrate. With a few more motions, Umbra had mapped the new drone’s memories onto a digital mind. One window showed a 3D model of the brain, while a command prompt appeared in a separate window.

The villain tilted her head from side to side before deciding on a command. “I will be making a series of statements. In response, I only wish for you to think about them deeply.”

A small section of the brain lit up, indicating understanding.

“Eating ice cream,” Umbra stated first as a control variable. A few sections of the brain lit up, including those associated with taste and memory. A scan to the right of the brain showed mostly “happy” chemicals were flowing.

“Being chased by a bear.” Similarly, the brain lit up, this time in sections associated with physical response. The chemicals flowing were those associated with fear and anxiety.

“Excellent, it works.” Umbra muttered. Thankfully, her technology was perfectly adapted to her unique style of speech, including what would otherwise trigger a false command.

Now ready to move on to the actual testing, Umbra narrowed her eyes. What could she say to elicit a strong reaction from this unit’s mind?

“Hmm...touching slime. Or goo. Interacting with a non-newtonian fluid.”

The response was minor compared to the first two. It was likely that this individual had no strong feelings on the subject.

“Okay then…” the villain said. “Being plunged in goo? Being covered in goo?”

The only reaction this time was a slight bit of disgust and sensory discomfort. Umbra couldn’t help being a bit offended by that (what kind of person WOULDN’T want to be constantly submerged in slime?), but was above all frustrated at the lack of results.

“Might I try some prompts, Mirediste?” #0001 chimed in.

“I appreciate the thought, One, but I doubt you’d fare any better here than me,” Umbra said.

“I will remind you, Mirediste, I have some first-hand knowledge of the current Umberification process.”

That did cause the villain to pause. She had experienced Umberification herself, of course, in fact she was patient zero. But of course that was noticeably different from the process by which the Umberlings had come to be. A lot less kidnapping and forced hypnosis involved.

“...you may try your hand then, One. But don’t worry yourself thinking too hard about it,” Umbra finally permitted.

“Thank you, Mirediste! I promise I will only ever think at the level you permit,” #0001 chipperly replied.

The kobold Umberling ungulated a bit closer to the computer before speaking. “Being suddenly abducted from one’s home.”

That produced a strong result. Many parts of the brain lit up, a different color for each distinct section. A slew of chemicals and emotions flashed on screen; as expected, most were negative and fearful. But a few were…intrigued. Excited even.

“Being forcibly changed or transformed into something new.”

Again, the brain lit up. This time, it was a lot more positive. Umbra wasn’t sure how to respond, surprised at how quickly the kobold was getting results.

“Having your memories altered by someone to their fancy? Or, perhaps, having your memories completely erased and replaced by ones they fabricate for you?”

A rainbow erupted across the digital mind. A happy, aroused, deeply eager rainbow.

#0001’s digitized voice cleared before its last contribution. “Being abducted out of your life by a dominant mistress – your Mirediste – and having your memories altered such that you no longer remember your old life. Your only memories are of serving and pleasing her. Your body is perfectly altered in ways that make serving her your easiest function. You have no needs, not biological, not social, just an unending desire to obey only matched by your ability.”

The program lit up so sharply, Umbra had to turn down the screen brightness in response. Chemicals rushed by off to the side, emotions changing quickly but never straying from positive. The villain quickly noticed a pattern, between the brain sectors triggered and the chemicals flowing through them. It was a familiar sight, because it’s one she’d seen quite a bit when she first started monitoring her own brain activity.

“Oh. Oh my. This is…the reaction of the brain during an orgasm.” Umbra observed, astounded.

#0001 grinned its slimy black grin. “It seems this unit is predisposed to some of our treatments here. And very much interested in them.”

The villain took a few moments to process the revelation, replaying the brain’s response over and over. There were…people who wanted Umberfication? She had always assumed it was sort of a power exchange deal; she gives them new ideal bodies, an ever-growing and welcoming community, and freedom from the burdens of living in the post-modern dystopia. In return, she would receive their undying loyalty and servitude. But maybe this deal was sweeter for some as compared to others. And maybe some of her Umberlings were closer to her than she thought, at least in where they were coming from before their transformation.

But there was still at least one main difference. #0428 wanted to be the mindless drone at the whims of Mirediste. Umbra had always wanted to be the Mirediste; the creator, the progenitor, the master of things and people of goo and darkness. At least, she had always desired that as soon as she had realized it was really possible for her to become that. In a way, both her and #0428 needed one another.

Snapping her out of her thought was #0001, with an announcement. “It seems Oh-Three-Nine-Nine and Oh-Four-Oh-Two have found something of interest!”

“Excellent! Both of you are free to enjoy one another as I look at the result.” Not two seconds after Umbra issued the command were the Umberlings feeling up one another’s goey bodies.

The computer screen showed a memory from #0428 as if it were a video. There appeared to be a TV in front of the not-yet-drone, displaying a news broadcast. Two reporters were talking at a roundtable.

“And now for tonight’s news on the ‘Umbran Epidemic’. How you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe.”

The villain always got a kick out of seeing news reports on her own exploits. It was entertaining to see just how far behind the outside world was on her actions, and how futile their struggle to not succumb really was. She silently commanded her visor to produce the sensation of chewing on popcorn, and felt a buttery taste flood her maw.

“Out here in Los Angeles, there’s been yet another wave of disappearances. The cause at this point is known: the work of an entity calling herself Umbra. Those she targets are abducted from their homes and later spotted completely altered, with bodies made of some sort of goo and usually resembling anthropomorphic animals. If not for one sinister detail, they might be completely unidentifiable with their former selves.”

As she watched the memory, the brain scan seemed to respond. It was aroused again, somehow titulated by the unassuming news report.

Now the broadcast showed a uniformed police officer, seemingly at a press conference. “The victims will then attempt to find those they were close to prior to being mutated, and they will try to mutate them as well. They do this by attacking victims and forcing mechanical masks onto their faces, masks thought to have some of the black substance contained within. Once the mask is on a victim, they’re good as brainwashed right then and there.”

The brain’s colors lit up all over again, the emotions increasing even more. With each description of Umberification and its effects, the unit seemed more and more interested.

“The perpetrator behind these kidnappings and effective murders is suspected to be related to the disappearance of a scientist employed at a local university.” The cop went on. “Formerly known as-” The video cut out automatically. Umbra thanked herself yet again for installing the automatic cognitohazard blocker, and thanked herself twice that it worked so well. All the same, her Umberlings automatically crowded around her to ensure her emotional well being.

She nodded at all of them. “Thank you dolls, but I- Mirediste is okay.”

Once the feed cut back in, the news was back at the roundtable. “-absolutely awful, right?”

"Truly. Imagine, being forced to forget your friends and family, and turned into one of those…creatures.”

“I don’t think I have the words for it. I hope the depraved mastermind behind it all gets what they deserve.”

Expectantly, the brain lit up once again. And expectantly, it was in near-orgasmic bliss. Just listening to the report had this unit on edge.

Umbra smiled as the computer closed the memory. She looked up at #0428 as the progress bar on the side of the screen showed it was almost through receiving new memories. Very soon, all traces of whatever it had once been would be gone. It would simply be another Umberling, the perfect servant for the perfect Mirediste.

There was a newfound admiration for the drone in her gaze, and an anticipation for the process to finish. It took her quite a bit of restraint to not hurry the brainwashing along, but the villain knew it was best to not rush the process. She was nothing if not patient.

“It seems this Umberling will a most obedient fellow, Mirediste,” #0001 said, goo molded into a wicked smiling muzzle.

“And a most enjoyable doll,” Umbra confirmed with a smirk twice as maleficent.