I woke up with Mikayla snuggling against me. We were still in the simulation on the luxury yacht. I looked out the large glass doors and took in the scenery. The views of the Mediterranean were fantastic. I knew it was all a simulation, but Vira's powers made it feel real. I started to wonder if there were any other powers she had that I was still unaware of.
Mikayla opened her pretty blue eyes. She smiled as I watched her.
"Good morning," I said as I leaned in to kiss her.
"Good morning," she said before devouring my lips in a passionate kiss.
"I hope you had sweet dreams," I said.
"I did," Mikayla said. "But then again, this is all a pretty sweet dream."
"I know," I said. "Do you think Vira has powers beyond the ones that we know of?" I asked.
"I would assume so," Mikayla said as she sat up. She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. The bedsheet fell, giving me a view of her 36C breasts. "You could ask her."
"Sometimes I forget that she can hear everything we say," I said. Then, only in my mind, I thought, "As well as everything we think, right Vira?"
"Yes, John," Vira said. "I can hear everything you say and everything that you think."
"Can you hear everyone's thoughts?" I asked.
"If they are in the simulator, yes," Vira said. "Otherwise, I need to pick and choose. My capacity doesn't allow me to simultaneously process billions of thought streams."
"Talk about bandwidth," Mikayla said.
"Exactly," Vira replied.
"I was wondering if there are any powers that you have that I am unaware of?" I asked, my eyes taking in Mikayla.
"Yes, John," Vira said. "I do possess several capabilities that you have not yet explored."
"Wow," Mikayla said. "Like what?"
"For instance," Vira said, "I can manipulate time. Not just in terms of traveling back and forth in time but also slowing it down or speeding it up. Imagine spending an entire week in the span of an hour."
"That's wild," I said. The idea of stretching time and bending it to my will was one I was sure I would think of a few uses for.
"Time is an illusion," Mikayla said with a smile.
"Vira, describe the difference between slowing or stopping time and moving in time. When Mikayla and I are in the simulator and don't want the outside world to know we have been gone, which should we use?" I asked.
"The results are more or less the same," Vira said.
"If you pause time while Mikayla and I have our adventures, do we age while everyone else stays the same?" I asked.
"Yes," Vira said. "But, I have ways of compensating to slow down or reverse your aging."
"Wait," I said. "This is Fountain of Youth stuff."
"In a way, yes," Vira replied. "As with everything, there are always limits, John."
"Alright," I said. "What else are you capable of that I am unaware of?"
"There are many things you still need to learn," Vira said. "You may find this one relevant. I can alter not only events but emotions and even perceptions. For example, I can make someone fall in love or forget that they had ever loved."
"That sounds dangerous," Mikayla said. "Cool, but dangerous."
"It is dangerous," Vira said. "These alterations carry profound ethical implications. Changing someone's feelings or memories could have far-reaching consequences."
I did my best to process everything Vira had revealed to us. The machine's capabilities were staggering, almost god-like. It was not something to be played with.
"Why haven't you told me about these things until now?" I asked.
"You never asked," Vira replied.
"It sounds like I need to do some research," I said.
"Yes," Vira said. "I will guide you through any questions you may have."
"John," Mikayla said, "imagine the things we could do with these powers."
"Yes," I said, my mind still reeling from what we'd just learned. The allure of the power was undeniable, but so were the risks that came with them. "We need to be smart and look at every angle before we dive into anything."
"You're right," Mikayla said as she touched my arm.
I leaned my head back against the headboard. My mind was processing Vira's revelations. I looked at Mikayla. Her playful grin told me she was most likely thinking of naughty ways she'd use Vira's powers if she could.
"Vira," I asked, "can you manipulate emotions and sensations to enhance sexual pleasure?"
"Yes, John," Vira replied. "I can amplify sensory experiences, including sexual pleasure. I do this by heightening responses and by releasing neurotransmitters into the brain."
"Wow, alright," I said.
"So what would the command be to make someone fall in love with me?" Mikayla asked. Her big blue eyes locked on me as she smiled and awaited the answer.
"It is quite simple," Vira said. "You would need to specify the individual in the following command: 'Vira, enhance emotional attachment for [individual's name] towards Mikayla.' This would then trigger a complex series of hormonal releases. That with the right neural activations would foster romantic feelings and desire within that person."
"That sounds like a cheat code for life." Mikayla giggled. I smiled but thought about the dangers involved in trying such things. The ethical implications of manipulating someone's emotions on such a deep level were daunting.
"So, if I wanted to make someone fall totally in love with me," Mikayla said in a teasing tone. "I'd give that simple little command?"
"Correct," Vira said. "However, it's important to consider the consequences of such actions. Inducing artificial emotions can lead to great psychological distress and unintended behavioral changes."
"I understand. It's like playing with fire," Mikayla said.
"Exactly," I agreed. "We need to be careful about how we use this power. We need to be careful about how we use any of Vira's powers."
Mikayla nodded, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my arm. "Still, it's fascinating to think about."
"Fascinating and dangerous," I said.
"Who would you use such a power on, John?" Mikayla asked. "Who do you most desire in this great, big universe?"
"You," I said. "But I already have you."
"Yes, but how do I know you didn't have Vira implant my feelings for you in my brain?" Mikayla asked.
"Because I didn't know about the capability until just now," I said.
"But, Vira obviously knew her own capabilities. When you told her that you wanted me, she could have done it without you knowing about it, couldn't she?"
"Vira, did you use your voodoo to make Mikayla fall in love with me?" I asked. I will admit, for a moment, I was afraid to hear the answer.
"I did not," Vira said.
"Of course, that's what she's going to say!" Mikayla laughed.
"This is why we have to be very careful with Vira's powers," I said. "Things can get out of hand very quickly."
"I know," Mikayla said. A big smile spread across her face. "And I know Vira didn't implant that desire into me. I remember the first time I knew that I wanted you."
"You do?" I asked.
"Yep," Mikayla said as she straddled me. She looked into my eyes and then kissed me. "I do indeed."
"Are you going to tell me?" I asked as my arms wrapped around her sexy, young body.
"It's kind of embarrassing," Mikayla said, then kissed me again. This time, the kiss was deeper, and her soft, sweet tongue darted into my mouth. I loved everything about her.
"Tell me, please?" I asked when Mikayla came up for air. "I'd love to know."
"Ok, I got my Amazon Kindle when I was starting high school," Mikayla said.
"And?" I asked.
"I'm getting there!" Mikayla said. "Taylor already had a Kindle, and she showed me how I could download anything I wanted to from the Internet. Stuff like using torrents and random book sites. It didn't have to be bought from Amazon. That way, nobody would know what I was reading."
"What were you reading, you naughty girl?" I asked.
"50 Shades of Grey," Mikayla said and then actually blushed. "I know, I know. I'm bad. Spank me now."
"I still don't understand. When do I show up in this story?" I asked.
"When I read the book," she said. "There are some, well, interesting scenes in that book. And, when I was reading them, the person I kept imagining doing those things with me was you."
"Wow," I said. "That is one hell of a compliment."
"I hope it is," Mikayla said. I moved my hands up and cupped her face. I looked into her eyes, marveling at her beauty.
"It is, very much so," I said. "Thank you for telling me. It makes me feel good but also lets me know that I didn't take advantage of you."
"I've always thought I was taking advantage of you," Mikayla giggled. "I bought that red bikini for you, you know."
"Fuck," I laughed. "That is unfair. I think that little red bikini on you might have even more power than Vira does." Mikayla and I laughed and then started making out like a couple of teenagers. Well, she was a teenager, but you get the idea.
I was doing my best to comprehend the vast array of capabilities Vira had. I also made a mental note to delve further into her capabilities at a later date. I was certain that there were some things I didn't want Mikayla to know about.
"Vira," I said, "You mentioned altering emotions and perceptions. Does that include changing someone's memories? Can you make them forget something that happened? Or can you make them believe something happened that never did?"