5 Gearing Up
Integrating C.L.E.R.I.C.'s systems into the Rustbucket with Upgrade basically turned it into a mobile command centre, weapons station and mobile laboratory for all our heroic needs .
It also incidentally allowed Grandpa to blame all the fancy gadgets on me when needed.
While I wished he'd just be straight with us. This at least prevents any of the sandbagging that Max could possibly do.
I then connected right to D.I.A.L. servers to get tech schematics of like computer chips , smartphones, laptops , industrial robots etc.
And to copyright 'Legion - The Alien Hero of The Galaxy' as well.
To control the narrative for when I am revealed to the world and stop that wannabe J. Jonah Jameson - Will something - from bad mouthing and ruining my rep and make my job more difficult.
Honestly , I could care less about my reputation if it didn't hinder me in the long run.
Plus , the mint I'm gonna make of all my products ( toys , games , shows and cartoons). Look at all the stuff made for a show, imagine in it was real life.
With enough resources, I can be a better hero.
Gwen and Grandpa's faces were priceless.
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"What have you done to my Rustbucket , Ben ?"
Max quizzed me after he stopped staring at what used to be a run down RV .
" And can we keep it ? ," Gwen questioned only half jokingly as she stared in amazement .
Right across stood what could only be a fresh out of the, sleek as fuck future, civilian-military vehicle hybrid with glowing Cherenkov radiation bluish green ( it's not actually emitting anything ) circuitry all over. It was also so clean that it was glistening in the sunlight .
On the inside of it , the difference between its past incarnation was even much more drastic as it much more spacious( sufficient use of Greymatter's intelligence made making the Rustbucket interior bigger than it's exterior easy ), enough for 5 star private rooms and bathrooms for each of us and guests, holographic interfaces, interactive windows, all the seats replaced by a new synthetic nanotech memory foam polymer that adapts for maximum user comfortability , roaming cleaning microbots and CLERIC voice command everywhere.
And that's just the stuff people can see or do straight away.
It is 100% completely vibration and energy absorbent and sealed,making it completely bulletproof, waterproof, electric resistant, EMP/radiation resistant, heat resistant and insulated .
More weaponry than some alien armadas with Vulcan guns, AP turrets, Plasma Blasters , Antimatter missiles , EMP bombs and Blockhole grenades etc .
Basically, It's a battalion fitted in a RV.
Security included a Biometric DNA Scanner of all those authorized to use it , including one that recognizes the Omnitrix's energy signature.
" I upgraded it " I answered earnestly .
" I call dips on the shower !" Gwen squeals as she rushes in not knowing she now has her own private room and all the perks .
It happened so fast , I checked my wrist just to make sure I still had it and she didn't transform into XLR8.
" I've got to hand it to you Ben ,This is ... something," he says as he scratches the back of his head in bewilderment.
I turn towards him slowly as I think of what I am about to say and how it will change things in the future. For better or worse.
' Here goes nothing. '
" You know when I was that technology alien, I call him Upgrade , and ( can't believe I'm saying this) I was part of the RV , I noticed a lot, let's say unique things such as Rocket Boosters, On board computers and weaponry...."
" How you reacted to my transformation, almost as if you had seen it before..."
" I knew that you didn't have a normal life just because I spent so much time around you and all our camping trips were like military bootcamp... "
" So , Grandpa, answer me honestly ,for real. Who are you, really ? "
He stares ahead stoically.
I wait for what feels like hours , just as I am about to speak he speaks.
" When Gwen is done , we'll have a long overdue talk. "
I just nodded silently.
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" So.... You're basically a space cop ...." Gwen deadpanned.
Grandpa just nodded .
After Gwen had finished taking taking her shower and at marvelling at all the changes to the Rustbucket, Grandpa sat down to explain the Plumbers and his history with them as well the Legend of the Omnitrix.
Everything was quiet and all was still until Gwen just randomly got up and run out , right of the RV and into out .
Before Grandpa could get out of his seat, I was already standing shaking my head at him .
" I'll go talk to her. "
I then walk out to follow her.
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Silently trekking into the forest, I searched my missing cousin until I saw her imitating 'The Thinker' pose on random tree stump in the woods staring forward blankly.
I just slumped beside and waited for her to talk.
Eventually Gwen asked something.
" Did you know ?"
I turn to her in surprise .
" What do you mean ?" I ask in confusion.
She glances at me from the corner of her eye as she replies to question.
" The way you didn't act surprised or shocked maybe ?"
OK, I could taste the sarcasm from here.
I answer back with as much truth as I could in this situation.
" Honestly, I suspected he was sorta like 007 with all his adventures that told us as kids ( and I could tell he was exaggerating ), how both our dads don't talk about him in their childhood stories but he wasn't a dead beat and during our ( Me and Grandpa's ) Camp trips was like military training .... Aliens though, that was new ,"I reply ruefully.
" But that doesn't matter now , How we got here , or What happens next , we're in this together, until the end of line ."
Gwen stayed silent for a bit before saying before she raised her head and gave me of beautiful smile then hugged me as I returned it with a blush.
" Maybe this summer won't be so bad, " she mumbled into my shoulder.
I just smiled .
And to think Summer just started.
After our little heart to heart , we returned to Rustbucket where Grandpa Max stated we were now Honorary Plumbers and training would begin in earnest.
At least no bullshit galactic legal problems.
Later in the afternoon , turning into XLR8, and quickly backing up our stuff in the blink of an eye , and raiding junkyards, secret military bases and tech companies R&D for further ... 'updates' from Upgrade and Greymatter.
Transforming straight to into Grey Matter entering the lab specifically designed for this form when I was Upgrade. I tilted my frog like head to see the Omnitrix faceplate on myself.
I always wondered why Ben didn't take Master Control with aliens Greymatter or Brainstorm and improve it with Upgrade.
Time to get to work.
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3rd POV
Next Morning
SHOOOM!
At rabid random intervals a emerald flash would signify the activation of the Omnitrix.
" What's he doing in there ?" Asked Grandpa Max.
SHOOOM!
" I have no idea. Ever since he turned into that speed lizard and super smart grey frog alien all he was he was that ' He gotta blast' " Gwen replied.
SHOOOM!
Gwen turned to her grandfather with a distressed expression on her face .
"Grandpa, I'm worried about Ben.He hasn't left the new lab since last night and now there's constant flashes the Omnitrix might be hurting him, " Gwen pleaded .
Max stared at her a little bit before he relented .
"Alright, Let's go chec-" he started to say before he was cut off.
SHOOOM!
WHOOSH !
One moment Max were at the doorstep of the lab , next they were in the living space.
WHOOSH !
In less time to even fully realise that they had been appeared the alien form that was known as XLR8 except .... different.
The first change was that he looked was bigger, more muscular and efficient looking.
It also seemed to be encased in a full night sky black and bleached white skintight body armour , with white giving of a faint but noticeable glow .
The arms, legs and tail stripes were white instead of blue as well were less stripes on his tail and he was taller. XLR8's clothing also had longer sleeves with a pair of stripes under the shoulders and has an arrow-shaped symbol on his lower torso. (1)
The most notable feature was consistent the radioactive green glow of the Omnitrix in the centre of his chest and the glow of the second ring on the dial.
When Max and Gwen had gotten back their bearings , they still and stared in shock .
" Ben ... ?" they questioned in unison.
The reptile's visor melted away like a waterfall in reverse instead of sliding away to reveal the black marked ocean blue skin with glowing opaque jade eyes and smirk .
" Yo ."
WHOOSH !
WHOOSH !
Before anything could be said, Ben returned with 2 black cubes and 2 slick, near paper tin, jet black rectangles (2) with white glowing circuitry stretched out all over.
He then instantly transformed back into human.
Without touching the dial .
Gwen noticed this first .
" How did change back like ? What are those things ? And what are you wearing ? "
His normal white striped shirt was now a skintight liquid armour looking clothing with similar colouring and patterns with his cargo pants looked thicker and his black and white sneakers where now looking more like steel toed combat boots .
The most obvious accessories were the finger less gloved/armbands with the one on the left interlocking with the watch with glowing green pipes (3) and see through swamp green glasses (4).
He tapped his chest and it shifted into a completely black body suit with green circuitry stretched everywhere (5) then again it changed into what he was wearing at the beginning of summer(6) .
His eyebags, ragged appearance and pale complexion were there main focus to though .
He smirked before replying
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Ben's POV
" When I changed into Greymatter I got curious and checked out the watch . A few shifts and well thought out combinations , boom Master Control unlocked. Say hi"
{ Statement to be given : Hello }
" I also mad us some personalizable Mechamorph armour, Quantum comms ...."
What I didn't tell them was once it was unlocked master control, I transformed into Echo Echo split myself into 5 ways then each back - I the original , one as Greymatter, Brainstorm, Upgrade and the last one as Jury Rig ( Why else would I get all that junk ) to upgrade the Omnitrix.
Now along with the Omnitrix Master Control function , It's transformation time is shorter , Connected the Omnitrix data dump function ( the feature that allows Ben to instantly know an aliens abilities)(7) to my mind as a DNI (Digital Neural Interface) - The Galaxy's library in my brain ,Combined the Omnitrix with the Energy to Mass conversion instantly heals me from any damage my alien or human form takes , even death ( I hope I never have to deal with that though ) and the failsafe from Omniverse into it as well.
My favourite new feature is the Peak Species algorithm. It takes how the Omnitrix makes the user a prime specimen up to 10 ( heh ).It takes a species DNA , finds its maximum value and capabilities, calculates all the variables that would produce the most beneficial effect ( stable environment, healthy food, age , copious amounts of conflict and energy) genetically modifies for the best features over a period of 10,000 years in this environment then it pushes it to the limit. Alien Batmen with Super Soldier Serum.
So like for example , Captain America.
The fastest runner of a mile from what my memory says was 4 minutes - 240 seconds.
The good Captain could run a mile in 72 seconds.
Base XLR8 can move around at Mach 1173 for his
Now I can move at Mach 2017.5 as my average speed.
I also found the clothing selection and chose the Ben 10,000 look. ( I always liked it).
Now this goes for all my alien forms.
Greymatter is now equally or maybe smarter than Azmuth.
Fourarms is stronger than an average Way Big .
Ripjaws can now breathe air longer, enough to prevent it from being a major weakness.
I have no idea how Way Big i-
I cut off by the hand of Max as looks at with a expression of worry .
" Ben..."
I turn to Gwen as she grasps my shoulders.
" Ben .... go sleep. "
" But I ..." I'm cut off. again.
" When was the last time you slept ?" Grandpa Max asks.
Huh.
.....
.....
.....
"Alright , sleep time now ."
Grandpa picks me up and carries me to bed .
" You can tell us all about your inventions when you're well rested. "
