DT1 - License and Registration, Please

[Ashlie Minamida]

"It would appear the modifications only transfer to your humanoid form. Could it be because that is the only shape that is a biological system? Can you change into an animal or plant?"

[Will Stanton]

"Sure thing"

True to form, the potted plant Will turned into also showed no signs of vehicularization--Ashley could even tell it was a real plant, and not a wax one.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"This is very peculiar. It suggests your humanoid form is unique in some way."

[Will Stanton]

Will, having shifted back to his person form, shook his head, a hydrollic squeaking sound coming.

"There's no reason for that, though!"

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Everything has a reason. We just don't know it yet. The parts are being affected by your shifting, so there should be no reason why you shouldn't be able to shift them away as far as I can tell, so it might be a software glitch."

[Will Stanton]

"A software glitch?"

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Or a psychological mechanism. Depending on how you want to look at it."

[Will Stanton]

"You're saying something's wrong with my brain."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"That is not what I said at all. This could be a perfectly normal reaction as far as we know."

[Will Stanton]

"Does this look normal to you!" he said, gesticulating wildly.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"My idea of what constitutes 'normal' is quite different from the usual definition. But that side, you're a poly-mimetic substance. This seems perfectly within the parameters of your capabilities."

[Will Stanton]

"But I don't WANT to look like this. I'm not TRYING to," Will said, pacing back and forth. "And I can't STOP."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"That is, unfortunately, a reality that most people face. If it is too distressing I could attempt to remove the modifications."

[Will Stanton]

"No!" Will frowned. "Who knows what effect that would have?"

[Ashlie Minamida]

"What about your female shape? Maybe it's unaffected."

[Will Stanton]

"Ooh! Good idea!" Will said, slamming his fist into his palm.

The shifting was still accompanied by the sounds of grinding metal and....nope. The chrome and matte-green finish remained on Will's body, as she looked down in dismay.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Hmm. Can you still turn into the previous version of the Humvee?"

[Will Stanton]

"I can try," Will nodded, focusing, getting back on all fours.

And, yes--there was the old, standard, military-spec humvee.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Well, that worked. And you reproduced the parts I took out, it seems." she says, bending down to look at the suspensions and brakes. "Which raises a whole other line of questions."

[Will Stanton]

The radio blared to life.

"OTHER questions? We haven't figured out the FIRST question yet!"

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I know. Try turning back to human from this."

[Will Stanton]

Yup, she could still do that, standing there with her hands on her hips and chrome still running up and down her body.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"This makes no sense at all. I could try calling Rob, he might be able to fix you."

[Will Stanton]

"If you think that would help. Otherwise, I would just head to the med center..."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"It does appear to be an issue with your biological form, so that might be more appropriate." she agrees.

[Will Stanton]

Will nodded. "Then, if you have nothing else for me..." he frowned, "...I'm gonna...go lie down. Or something."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Are you certain you'll be alright?"

[Will Stanton]

"No, I'm not. This has never happened before..." Will frowned.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Call me if the situation worsens or if you feel anything else is amiss."