Zero Power

So a question came up in the comments about the heritability of Alexander’s powers. I asked Sentinelle and the Power Princesses to help me explain, but they seem to have gotten distracted...

Brainchild explained in Alexander II #2 that the reason nobody could figure out the Sentinel’s powers is they had been looking in the wrong place. He has a mutation in his mitochondrial DNA, the “power stations” of his cells. When he was exposed to Alexander I’s zero point energy extractor (as retold in Alexander II #1), the mitochondria switched over to become zero point energy extractors themselves, giving the Sentinel virtually unlimited energy for his biology.

The thing about mitochondrial DNA is that it’s inherited solely from the mother. So the Sentinel can’t pass on the potential for powers to his children. Even if he could, they’d need to be stuck in a zero point extractor to trigger it.

Alexander created a cross-sex clone of the Sentinel, Sentinelle, as a test of his theory. Obviously, that worked out. Being female, Sentinelle’s powers could be passed on to her children, though they might need an activating event; Alexander I hypothesized that Sentinelle’s womb might work for the purpose, but obviously no testing has been done.

The Power Princesses do not have the mitochondrial mutation that enables the powers, but do have some related biological modifications done by Nebula that enable them to process zero point energy. Instead of producing their own, they must draw from energy stored in their necklaces, which has to be replenished periodically. 

Alexander I did not realize the importance of the mitochondria in his sperm operating as tiny zero point extractors and thus transmitting zero point energy to anyone he had sex with. Alexander II, through the impact on the Power Princesses and faeries, is now realizing how important this is.

Alexander I created Alexander II from his own DNA and the Sentinel’s mitochondrial DNA, with some cleanup of recessives and markers for potential genetic disorders. But Alexander II isn’t the only clone he created. He had at least one “older brother” who was executed when he turned 26 and Xander became the “active” backup body. He also has two “younger brothers” that Alexander I started and that are still being raised as backups to Xander. Alexander II hasn’t decided what to do about them yet.

In addition to his zero energy powers, Alexander I prepared his clone with cybernetic and nanotech augmentations. Computing nodes throughout his body run off zero point energy from his cells and give him control of his autonomic processes, digital processing of his (zero-point enhanced) senses, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and an interface to external systems (such as those in his armor and helmet). 

He also has internal chemical factories, that produce pheromones based on Poppy’s and elastizine to allow him to change shape, among other things. The factories are a little leaky – even Alexander I wasn’t perfect – and Alexander is not immune to his own pheromones, which is why he’s so constantly horny. Elastizine leakage is how the girls can take his monster cock without being injured.

Of course, all of this regards his modifications as Alexander II’s “power.” Which misses an important point. Alexander gave himself these abilities. While his biological modifications, cybernetics, and gear aren’t heritable, his intellect is – at least as much as anyone’s. And he’s best known as the smartest man in the world.