Author's note: What is the ultimate sex toy? That is, if we go beyond the present, deep into science fiction, where the only limits are imagination, and maybe some vague concessions to the laws of physics.
You might argue perhaps the Star Trek holodeck, but that isn't exactly a toy in the sense of something that you could carry in your pocket. I think The Orb, from one of my other stories, might come close, though the Orb, effectively a bodysuit of living liquid latex, isn't exactly subtle when it goes to work. The toy described in this story however is up there with The Orb in terms of its potency, but it also gains points through its subtlety and devious machine intelligence.
I like to give credit to authors who have inspired me over the years. The device in this story is inspired by one in a novella "Trainingware" by F. Diriger and intended as a tribute. The device is different however, and this story includes no common characters or settings.
This story also explores quite a different scenario. Trainingware is very well written but the story focuses on themes that I'm not really into, such as spanking and, well, more spanking. I like to explore loss of control to technology, especially tech that can detect your consent directly from your unconscious, so read on for plenty of that. A playful battle of wits with a beautiful, confident female antagonist is also a FourAndOne favourite.
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Dan sat at the bar nursing his drink and trying to unwind after a long day at work. The dim lights and soft chatter provided a welcome escape from the mundane routine of the everyday. Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed the subtle shift in the atmosphere as someone approached him.
A melodious voice cut through his reverie, "Mind if I join you?"
Dan turned his head, his eyes meeting the gaze of a stunning young woman. Her auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that could have graced the cover of a magazine. Her smile was warm, inviting, and her sparkling green eyes held a hint of mischief.
"Uh, sure. Please, have a seat," Dan stammered, taken off guard by the sudden appearance of such a beautiful woman in his personal space.
She took the stool next to him, her presence exuding confidence. "I'm Sarah," she smiled, extending a delicate hand towards him.
"Dan," he replied, shaking her hand, unable to suppress the flutter of nerves.
She wore a form-fitting dress that seemed to have been tailor-made to enhance every curve of her body. The fabric was a deep shade of burgundy, reminiscent of red wine in a dimly lit room. The dress hugged her figure in all the right places, accentuating her slender waist and graceful hips. It had a subtle V-neck that hinted at sophistication without being overly revealing, which was perhaps the only thing that helped Dan keep his eyes from drifting down further than they should on her chest.
"So, Dan," Sarah said in the kind of friendly manner that Dan was extremely unaccustomed to in beautiful women, "what brings you to this charming place tonight?"
He couldn't help giving a nervous chuckle. "Oh, you know, just needed a break from the daily grind. Work can be a bit overwhelming at times."
"I totally get that." Sarah nodded agreeably. "Sometimes, a little escape is all we need don't you think? What kind of work do you do?"
"I'm in marketing. It's not as glamorous as it sounds, trust me. What about you?"
The question was pathetically unoriginal but Dan's brain was still whirring away trying to work out if this beautiful apparition was actually flirting with him. He'd spent enough time living in the universe to know that this sort of thing didn't happen naturally, not unless there was a catch anyway.
"Oh I dabble." Sarah said vaguely. "My friends tell me I am something of a dilettante."
"Though there is," she added in a confidential tone, "something remarkable that has my full attention at the moment."
Her eye contact was incredibly strong, she was definitely giving him her full attention. And did people who weren't flirting ever wear that look on their face?
Sarah reached into her handbag and retrieved a small silver object. She placed it delicately on the bar counter, giving Dan a curious smile before continuing. "Have you ever seen anything like this?" she asked, her eyes holding a playful glint.
Dan leaned in to examine the intriguing object. It looked like a compact silver ball, the surface gleaming under the soft bar lights. His curiosity piqued, he shook his head in response.
"This is the Desirix," Sarah began, her tone a mix of fascination and admiration. "It's a remarkable creation, really. It's powered by an incredibly advanced nanobrain, an artificial intelligence that's nearly as sophisticated as a human's. It's an expert when it comes to the human body," she explained, her voice carrying a note of intrigue.
Dan's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "So, it's like a medical device?"
Sarah chuckled softly, the sparkle in her eyes dancing. "Well, not exactly. It has quite a unique set of abilities."
She continued, "See the shiny silver surface? It looks like liquid metal, but it's actually a network of tentacles made of carbon nanotubes. There are long tentacles that keep splitting into thinner tentacles. The larger ones are incredibly strong, capable of a firm grip, while the smaller ones possess a delicate touch. They're surprisingly versatile."