UGT: 31th Ascent 280 a.G.A. / 10:16 a.m.
Location: restricted areas, Aurolin Ruins, Au'Shalis Prime, Clinton's Beak system (red dwarf), Republic of Nox, Second Human Federation, Milky Way
----------------------------------------
The corridor ahead stretched long and narrow, the faint green light flickering irregulary with the system no doubt recalibrating its defenses after my intrusion. I limped forward, my injured leg protesting with every step. The adrenaline coursing through my veins dulled the pain but not the awareness of how vulnerable I currently was.
[ The executioner was most likely a test, a way to probe if you truly are what you claim with the Inheritor Protocol. If the system stops recognising the Inheritor Protocols it’ll escalate its countermeasures. And you should address that leg. ]
“No time.”, I replied, glancing back at the fading hum of the disabled executioner. “Let’s just hope that thing stays down.”
[ It won’t. The disruption is temporary. Once the system stabilizes, it’ll reactivate. ]
“Well, that’s comforting.”, I muttered sarcastically. At any time, than thing could just start to follow and ambush me than. Great. Ahead the corridor split into two paths both marked with the faint glow of glyphs. I stopped, my gaze flicking between the two options.
Left: maintenance sector. Right: data vault
[ The data vault should be where we find what we are searching. But the maintenance path might give us a chance to stabilize the local systems. Reduce the chance of everything here trying to kill you. If you go straight to the vault you’ll face the defenses head-on. ]
I frowned, the pressure of time weighing heavily. The executioner’s strength was fresh in my mind but every second spent in this place felt like one closer to being overwhelmed. It wasn‘t just that I had to achieve my goals today, but that the system was constantly adapting to me. “Straight to the vault. We’re here for the technology, not to play system repair crew.”, I decided.
[ Your call. But keep moving. No rest for the wicked, remember? ]
I hobbled down the right corridor, the air growing colder and denser with each step. The corridor opened into another chamber, this one larger and filled with towering crystalline structures that pulsed faintly. At its center stood a massive pillar of light, its surface rippling with layers of glyphs and shifting patterns. It was breathtaking even through the tension of the moment.
[ That’s an Aetherian archive node. They always knew how to make their technology look beautiful, didn't they? ]
“Focus, Fen. What do I need to do?”, I asked.
[ Interface with the node directly. The Inheritor Protocols should grant you access but expect resistance. The system will likely test you at every step. ]
I approached cautiously, my hand hovering over the swirling glyphs. The moment I made contact the node flared to life, threads of light racing up my arm as a semi-physical connection formed. It was more intense than before, the pressure in my mind this time almost overwhelming as the Inheritor Protocols took hold.
[ Inheritor-Protocol detected. ]
[ Inheritor-Protocol #2-A override blocked. ]
[ ERROR ]
[ Innheritor-Protocol #2-A override failed! ]
[ Aerminal starts self-destruc- ]
[ ERROR ]
[ Authorization acknowledged. ]
[ Archive node self-destruction stopped. ]
[ Missmatched protocols detected. ]
[ Counter-Measures enacted. ]
[ You’re making progress but the system’s not happy. We have incoming movement, seemingly something’s activating nearby. ]
“Of course there is.”, I muttered. I glanced around the chamber my grip tightening on my weapon. From the shadows two new constructs emerged, their forms sleek and angular, their eyes glowing in a truly sinister red. They moved with a fluid precision circling me like predators sizing up their prey. More exterminators. That could quickly become... problematic. “Fen, how much longer?”
[ Depends on how fast you can finish the interface sequence. The Protocols are translating the node’s data, but you need to actively solve the overlays to progress. ]
Multitasking. Great. I crouched behind one of the crystalline structures as the constructs moved closer their movements coordinated. One darted forward, firing a burst of energy that shattered part of the crystal above me. The fragments rained down, forcing me to roll to the side, my leg screaming in protest. The interface projected into the air above the node, the glyphs forming a complex grid that pulsed with faint energy. I reached up swiping my hand through the patterns as I worked to align the symbols. Each successful alignment sent a pulse through the node but each mistake triggered a surge of energy that crackled through the air. The constructs advanced, one of them lunging at me. I ducked narrowly avoiding the strike and fired a beam that once more barely did anything to the exterminator-class machines.
[ Faster!. The data’s locked behind multiple layers. You’ve only cracked the first. ]
I was to busy to answer him. I completed another alignment, the node flaring as the first layer dissolved. The constructs seemed to react instantly, their movements becoming more aggressive. One of them leapt onto a nearby crystal firing an energy burst that grazed my shoulder, leaving a burning sting. That was new. They'd only used close-combat weapons until now! I gritted my teeth, focusing on the next sequence of glyphs. The puzzles grew more intricate with the patterns shifting faster than I could process. The Inheritor Protocols intervened once more in my favor but even they struggled to affect the system, which fought back against the intrusion.
[ Second layer down. Just one more to go but it’s the most complex one as well. Anyways you’re close, just don’t stop now. ]
One of the constructs lunged again and this time I couldn’t dodge fast enough. Its blade caught me across the side, slicing through my clothes without any problems. Pain flared and I stumbled, nearly losing my connection to the node. “Fen…” I gasped, clutching my side.
[ Keep going! Just one more layer, we cannot fail yet! ]
I forced myself back to my feet ignoring the searing pain as I focused on the final glyphs sequence. My hands moved instinctively, aligning the last remaining symbols. Finally with a surge of light, the last layer dissolved. The node pulsed, its energy stabilizing as a stream of data flowed into my neural interface.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
[ Blueprints retrieved. Partial schematics for Aetherian weapon systems and auxillary technology. But this is just a fragment of everything. You’ll need more nodes to complete the set. ]
“Then let’s get out of here before these things finish me off!”, I screamed, panting. The constructs, undeterred by the node’s activation, closed in again. With the technology secured I turned and sprinted for the exit firing over my shoulder to keep them at bay. The corridor ahead was faintly lit. It was twisted and narrowed its walls pulsing faintly with the same greenish light that had marked the node chamber.
My breaths came ragged, sharp stabs of pain radiating from my side with every step. The gash on my leg throbbed, the open wound dragging a sticky trail of blood with me, pooling in my boot. Each movement sent fresh jolts of agony through the torn muscle, threatening to buckle my stride. My shoulder ached fiercely from the deep bruise left by the guardian’s strike, the damaged tissue grinding with every sway of my arm. And the slash along my side burned raw and exposed, the slick warmth of blood seeping into the seams of my armor.
I could feel my resilience working to stave off shock but even my High-Aetherian nature couldn’t stem the flow or lessen the sharp pangs cutting through my focus. Behind me the sound of clattering metal and whirring machinery grew louder. The constructs clearly weren’t letting up. The pounding of my boots against the floor became uneven as my wounded leg struggled to keep pace.
[ You need a plan. They’re actively tracking you and in time you’ll be cornered. ]
“I’m open to suggestions!”, I said my voice cracking, hoarse from exertion and pain by now.
[ Use the environment. We‘ll have to find a way to exploit this Aetherian Structure. ]
The path ahead split again this time into three options. I didn’t have time to overthink it. Picking the leftmost passage I staggered forward, my steps faltering as pain lanced through my body. The floor beneath me shifted slightly, and a faint vibration hummed through the soles of my boots, reverberating up my battered frame.
[ This section’s power routing just changed! You triggered something! ]
“That better not be bad news Fen.”, I muttered through clenched teeth, forcing myself to keep moving.
The corridor opened into another chamber, this one smaller but filled with what looked like maintenance drones. They hovered silently, their sleek forms flickering with energy as they moved between panels embedded in the walls. As I stepped into the room, they froze.
[ They’re assessing you. The authorisation gained from the partial acceptance of the Inheritor Protocols might keep them from outright attacking, but if they detect the constructs on your trail, this will change. ]
Instantly I started scanning the room for an exit. My side throbbed fiercely and my vision blurred for a second, the effort of pushing through sheer pain taking its toll. The pain made my head swim, but there was no time to hesitate. I limped toward the holographic display, each step sending jolts of fire through my injured leg. The constructs were too close. The pulsing glyphs might offer a reprieve however. I reached the display and placed my hand in the swirling light.
[ Inheritor-Protocol detected. ]
[ Inheritor-Protocol #2-A override blocked. ]
[ Authorization acknowledged. ]
[ Partial local system control granted. ]
[ The system awaits your orders Inheritor. ]
“The drones are to stop everything that gets into this room after me with force and no warning. Use lethal ways. Furthermore, deactivate the local pursuit protocols.”, I said. The glyphs pulsed, streams of data flowing into the hologram.
[ Your will be followed Inheritor. 62% of local forces recognised and accepted the order. ]
I pulled my hand away from the display, the light dissolving as the drones resumed their quiet, mechanical movements. For a brief moment the noise of the constructs behind me seemed to lessen, their relentless pursuit disrupted. But I knew it wouldn’t last.
Gritting my teeth against the pain, I stumbled toward an exit at the far end of the chamber. My vision swam again, a mix of exhaustion and blood loss making the glyphs on the walls blur into shapeless patterns. The only thing that kept me moving was Fen’s sharp voice in my head.
[ Keep it together. You’re almost clear of this section. The redirection is mostly working. But you’re still bleeding out. You need to stabilize yourself before we go any further. ]
“I’ll stabilize when I’m not being chased by death machines.”, I muttered, my voice weak. My shoulder throbbed with every lurching step, and the gash in my side burned as if it were on fire. My wounded leg dragged behind me, leaving a smeared trail of blood.
The exit opened into a narrow sloping corridor, the walls lined with intricate carvings glowing faintly. I leaned against the cold surface letting the brief respite steady my breaths. But the reprieve was short-lived with metallic echoes starting to arise from somewhere behind me. A flicker of movement in the dim light caught my eye, a gleaming shadow closing the distance faster than I had thought possible. My body screamed in protest as I pushed off the wall and stumbled forward, the sound of whirring servos growing louder. The pain in my side flared sharply, nearly bringing me to my knees.
The corridor twisted ahead the slope steepening. With a desperate glance over my shoulder, I saw the construct emerge. Another exterminator. Its red mechanical eye flared brightly as it locked onto me. „Fuck!“. I cursed, forcing my legs to keep moving. Each step sent fresh waves of agony through my leg and side but I had no choice. The construct closed in its claws scraping against the floor, the sound like nails on steel. Ahead the corridor opened into another chamber, this one far more ornate. Massive pillars rose from the ground, their surfaces etched with layers of glowing symbols. At the center of the room was another archival node, its faint light pulsing in time with the carvings.
[ That’s another access point. It could buy us time, but you’ll have to face whatever security measures are here. ]
The construct behind me let out a metallic screech, its claws digging into the floor as it accelerated. There was no time to think. My legs burned with effort as I staggered toward the archival node, my vision narrowing to the faint glow ahead. Just as I reached the center of the chamber the construct lunged. I turned, raising my desintegrator on pure instinct but it was too fast. Its claws slashed toward me and I barely managed to throw myself to the side. The motion sent me sprawling with my injured leg buckling beneath me.
The construct hesitated, its eye scanning me as if recalibrating. Surprised that with my wounds I still had it in me to fight back. I gritted my teeth, the taste of blood on my tongue as struggled to push myself up. The interface platform began to glow brighter, the glyphs reacting to my presence even without direct contact. Without a doubt Fen at work. The construct lunged again and I rolled to the side, ignoring the sharp agony in my leg. Its claws missed me by inches, carving slight gouges into the nearly unbeakable floor. The node‘s glow intensified, streams of light arcing toward the construct as the chamber’s defenses activated.
The glyphs spun faster and a low hum filled the air as the chamber’s energy converged on the construct. It froze mid-strike, its systems faltering as streams of light enveloped it. With a deafening crack, the construct collapsed, its form disintegrating into shards of energy that dissipated into the air. I slumped against one of the pillars, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. Blood pooled around me, the wounds on my side and leg still raw and untreated. Fen’s voice cut through the haze.
[ You’re alive for now. I forced the system to accept a Inheritor Protocols override. Now we’re most likely firmly registered as enemies, the Inheritor Protocols blocked. But you’re running out of time. Find something to stop the bleeding, or none of this will matter. ]
My head swam as I forced myself to my feet using the pillar for support. The archival node glowed faintly waiting for my next command. Probably the last I could give with the Inheritor Protocols inside this deathtrap. But first I had to make sure I would survive.