Chapter 5 Tendrils of Control: Jack Connors' Alien Nightmare

Jack Connors stood in his cramped basement, watching in awe as his right hand extended unnaturally, splitting into multiple tendrils that moved with unearthly precision. Each tendril grabbed a component from the cluttered table and began assembling a computer at a speed that defied human capability.

As Jack gaped in astonishment, the tendrils worked in unison, slotting the power supply, motherboard, and CPU into place, securing them with mechanical precision. Another set of tendrils spread thermal paste across the CPU, attaching the heat sink in a single smooth motion. Within minutes, the case was assembled, the peripherals connected, and three monitors set up.

Jack could only stare in disbelief at the efficiency of this alien technology. What took human engineers hours to accomplish was done in seconds by his right hand. He had no choice but to remain silent and follow orders, the terror of defying this extraterrestrial force outweighing his curiosity.

The computer finished booting up, and Jack's hand, having completed its task, retracted and lay still as if exhausted. Jack was left with a burning question: Why was it necessary to build another computer when he already had one upstairs? And what was the purpose of the additional electronics and tools scattered around?

Before Jack could ponder further, his right hand spoke again, its tone cold and commanding. "Jack, sit at the desk."

Relieved to finally receive a direct command, Jack quickly obeyed and took a seat. The hand's dissatisfaction with the computer's performance was palpable; it seemed to regard the hardware as primitive, a stark contrast to the advanced technology it was used to. The hand began typing rapidly, manipulating the system with an efficiency that was beyond human comprehension.

"Jack, retrieve the surveillance cameras," the hand ordered.

Jack looked around and found the surveillance equipment among the clutter. "I need three cameras," the hand continued. "Install one at the basement interior door, another at the basement exterior door, and the last one on the roof."

Jack was baffled by the sudden focus on surveillance, but the fear of punishment drove him to comply. He set to work, knowing that his time was limited. The process of installing wired cameras was cumbersome compared to modern wireless systems, but his limited budget necessitated it.

Hours later, with sweat on his brow and exhaustion weighing heavily on him, Jack completed the installation of the first camera. It had taken him over an hour, and the sun was already rising. He had managed to get one camera set up but knew there were still two more to go. The thought of being punished if he didn't finish in time was a constant, looming dread.

As he wiped his brow and glanced at the time, Jack couldn't help but think about the intense and overwhelming nature of his predicament. His right hand had turned his life into a whirlwind of fear and relentless tasks, and he could only hope to stay ahead of its demands.

Jack Connors took a moment to catch his breath, glancing at the surveillance software on the newly assembled computer. The camera feeds were all functioning correctly, and he sighed with relief before heading back into the basement.

According to the alien hand's instructions, he needed to install another camera outside the basement door, covering the hallway leading to the basement. As Jack surveyed the area, he scratched his head, frowning deeply.

The old house hadn't been built with modern surveillance in mind, and the basement, originally just for storage, didn't have convenient access points for wiring. To connect the power and signal lines, Jack would need to drill two new holes in the wall, spaced half a meter apart.

"This is such a hassle," Jack muttered to himself. "I hate dealing with this kind of mess."

Despite his grumbling, Jack knew he had to get it done. If he didn't finish before the alien hand woke up around nine o'clock, he'd be facing a nightmare.

Just then, he heard footsteps from the upper floors. A slender figure emerged at the top of the stairs—it was Xiaorui, the woman who rented one of the rooms.

"Mr. Connors, what's going on?" Xiaorui asked, surprised to see him standing at the stairway with tools and wires in hand.

Jack stiffened, offering a forced, awkward smile. "Oh, just getting an early start on some work. Heading to the office, Xiaorui?"

"Yes, that's right," Xiaorui replied. She was heading out to look for work, not quite sure what she'd find.

Curious, she stepped closer and eyed the wires and brackets in Jack's hands. "What are you up to?"

Jack decided to stick with a plausible lie. "There have been a few minor thefts around here lately. I'm just setting up some cameras to keep everyone's belongings safe."

Xiaorui didn't suspect a thing, nodding politely. "That makes sense. Well, good luck with everything, Mr. Connors."

As Xiaorui left, Jack watched her go, mentally noting that most of the other tenants would be heading to work around now.

Jack's building was a five-story structure with the rooftop included. The second, third, and fourth floors were all rented out. Xiaorui was on the second floor, while the rooms opposite her were occupied by two young models always on the move for various gigs.

On the third floor, a family of three lived there—the father was a heavy drinker and gambler, the mother was a skilled mahjong player, and their son was a rebellious teenager dealing with family issues.

Across from them was a thirty-something office worker who commuted between downtown and the suburbs every day.

The fourth floor was occupied by two pairs: a trio of women sharing a flat and a couple in the other room. Jack didn't know much about them beyond the basics—he only cared that they paid rent and stayed out of trouble.

Jack resigned himself to the task at hand, drilling the necessary holes and installing the camera. The thin walls made the job somewhat easier, and within an hour and a half, he'd completed the installation.

With only thirty minutes left, Jack hurried to the rooftop, setting up the camera and its mount. He tossed the signal and power cables down, routing them through the pre-drilled holes and into the basement. Miraculously, he managed to finish just before the alien hand's deadline.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Jack waited anxiously for the hand's next command.

"Is everything ready?" the hand inquired, its voice suddenly appearing.

"Yes, yes, everything's set, sir. Please take a look," Jack replied nervously, pointing to the monitor displaying the three camera feeds.

"Hmm, not bad. I didn't expect you to be of any use," the hand remarked dismissively.

Jack, despite the insult, felt a strange sense of relief. "Thank you for the compliment, sir."

"Don't call me 'sir' anymore," the hand retorted, its tendrils tapping away at the keyboard. "You can call me Ross."

Jack blinked at the strange name, then chuckled quietly. "Yes, Ross."

The alien hand, now named Ross, continued to type furiously. The screen displayed lines of code being written at a terrifying speed. Jack, overwhelmed and bewildered, watched as the alien hand worked with a level of efficiency beyond anything he'd ever seen.

After a couple of hours, Jack finally mustered the courage to ask, "Ross, what exactly are you working on?"

"A game. A mobile game," Ross responded.

A game? Jack was stunned. An alien was creating a mobile game?

Ross, seemingly in high spirits, explained, "I'm developing a game to solve a few problems. First, it generates revenue. Second, it allows me to collect information and implant a backdoor."

Jack's eyes widened in realization. A backdoor—he understood now. This wasn't just about making money; it was about creating a way to compromise systems. The alien's plan was far more sinister than he'd imagined.

Jack felt a twisted sense of admiration for Ross's cunning. Despite the danger, he realized siding with such a shrewd alien might just be the smartest move he'd made.

As Ross continued coding at a speed that would astonish even the best programmers, Jack could only sit back and marvel at the alien's formidable capabilities.