Dexter returned to the basement lab after a quick shower, dressed in a clean black shirt, fitted vest, and crimson tie. Not overly formal, but presentable enough for an expo.
The digital clock on the wall flashed: 7:00 PM.
"An hour left," he murmured, tightening his gloves. "Let's finalize this."
The containment cylinder opened slightly as Metal drifted forward, hovering in its glass housing. The alloy sphere pulsed faintly in greeting.
"Dexter," Metal said with its calm synthetic voice. "Are you ready to test the limiter?"
Dexter nodded, though the tension behind his glasses was unmistakable.
"Ready enough."
With a gesture across his wristwatch's hologram, he pulled up the limiter schematics Metal had presented earlier:
•Core Regulator
•External Override Band
Both constructs floated as projections: intricate, elegant, engineered with a precision even Dexter had to admit was impressive.
Dexter leaned closer. "Impressive. The interface looks stable."
"I designed it to align with your neural pattern," Metal said. "But there is a more efficient method."
Before Dexter could ask, a section of Metal's outer alloy rippled then separated, peeling away like liquid metal taking shape. Dexter stiffened, instinctively stepping back.
"Wait—"
The alloy piece folded, twisted, and snapped into place midair, forging itself into a sleek, silver-red wrist band, perfectly matching the hologram design.
Dexter stared.
"You can… fabricate directly from your body?"
"Yes."
Metal's eye gleamed faintly. "This ensures the band remains linked to me and cannot be forged or tampered with by external parties."
Metal floated the band gently toward him.
Dexter didn't grab it immediately.
Instead he looked at Metal not angrily, not fearfully, but measuring.
"It syncs directly to my neural pattern, correct?"
"Yes," Metal confirmed. "Once bonded, only you can issue commands or grant access."
"You understand why I need this," he said quietly. Not a threat, not an accusation just truth.
"I do," Metal answered. "Trust is constructed, not assumed. This is my contribution to that construction."
Only then did Dexter take the band.
The metal adjusted to his wrist instantly shrinking slightly, shaping itself without tightening uncomfortably. A soft red ring of light traced the surface before locking into place.
[ NEURAL PATTERN DETECTED ]
[ PRIMARY USER: DEXTER LABS ]
[ OVERRIDE ACCESS: EXCLUSIVE ]
Dexter blinked, mildly impressed. "That was fast."
Metal's tone remained gentle. "I optimized the process. Strain should be minimal."
Next, the second blueprint appeared — the Core Regulator.
Dexter folded his arms. "And this one?"
Metal's surface rippled again as another small fragment detached, shaping itself into a circular, coin-sized device humming with energy.
"This will limit my integration ability," Metal explained. "I will not be able to merge with any host, including you, unless your override band grants explicit permission."
Dexter nodded. "Good. That's the key safeguard."
He held the device up to Metal's surface.
"You're certain about this?"
"Yes," Metal answered. "If I want to be trusted, I must show proof of restraint."
Dexter pressed the regulator gently onto the sphere. It clicked into place, lighting up with a soft red glow.
[ CORE REGULATOR INSTALLED ]
[ HOST MERGE LOCKED ]
[ EXTERNAL OVERRIDE REQUIRED ]
[ SYSTEM STABLE ]
"To confirm functionality," Metal said, "I will attempt a merge without authorization."
Dexter's eyes widened slightly.
"Already? Wait—"
Metal drifted forward—
—and stopped instantly, hitting a visible shimmer in the air.
[ MERGE FAIL ]
[ PERMISSION REQUIRED ]
Dexter stared.
Then slowly exhaled in relief.
"It works," he murmured.
"It does," Metal agreed. "You now have full control over when I may or may not integrate."
Dexter tapped the Override Band.
"So if I wanted to allow merging, I simply tap twice and authorize verbally?"
"Correct. Without those steps, I cannot proceed."
Dexter touched the newly formed band on his wrist.
"Incredible craftsmanship," he admitted, voice softer. "And… thank you. For taking this step."
Metal's optic brightened with quiet pride. "Trust must go both ways."
Dexter nodded, the gears in his mind already turning.
"…Good. This means you can accompany me safely."
Metal tilted slightly in curiosity.
"To where?"
"To the expo" Dexter said, retrieving his coat.
Metal hummed softly, the closest thing to reassurance he could give. "I will follow your parameters."
"Let's try to impress them tonight," he said, heading toward the stairs. "Stay close and stay low-profile."
Metal floated just a step behind.
They ascended from the lab together.
The door to the outside clicked open.
Night air swept in.
The expo waited.