Akari.OS

I tapped into the system and queued the elevator and bounced to wait with Xeriko on the main floor until we heard the ding of the elevator go off, and then we got on and he pinged the floor marked M.

“We’ll most likely see more than our fair share of stronger robots down here…” I commented looking concerned.

“I agree but that’s why you gave this thing ten shots so I can keep firing.” Xeriko pointed out.

I nodded trying to remain optimistic. “Right now, when the door opens, immediately go for cover.”

We then rode down the elevator in silence while contemplating what we’ll see down in manufacturing. This was a tense elevator ride for both of us as we both knew we were basically about to storm the castle so to speak.

“You nervous Xeri…?” I asked, trying to spark up some conversation.

“No, well…yes I am…” He commented looking away. “Especially given my last mission, but we have to do this for the people.”

I nodded and we kept waiting until the elevator dinged with a synthetic voice. “Manufacturing, please wear appropriate safety gear.”

I then poofed on a reflective vest and a hardhat.

Xeriko just chuckled. “You enjoy doing that a lot”

“Yeah, it helps me get over my…identity crisis…” I commented looking down.

Xeriko nodded as he stepped out and leaned behind a planter on the catwalk.

Looking at the factory beneath us was crazy. Everything was operated by machines and AI-ndroids. Some operated laser cutters and assemblers, others overseeing other delicate work.

“Damn…they got a whole factory going down here…” I cursed.

“Guess the ban on AI directed weapons also included factory equipment.” Xeriko observed.

I nodded in agreement as we snuck down to the shop floor. The AI-ndroids were focusing on the machines they were operating instead of us thankfully but I’m sure that will change when we get loud.

“I have an idea…” I commented before poofing into my ninja costume.

“Is there a connection point?” Xeriko asked.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Yeah there’s a hub I can connect to.” I answered before pulling a smoke bomb and poofing away.

I then materialized into the datascape and I snuck down the corridors of the network looking for something with a lot of traffic before I saw the high speed tunnel with a bunch of data packets.

“Ah hah…come to mama” I giggled to myself as I looked them over quickly.

They were all schematics for the AI-ndroids we’ve been fighting and I snuck another packet in there for Xeriko.

“That should help us.” I smiled.

I looked around more and I couldn’t really see anything I could tamper with so I just copied the schematics for the bots that I could see. I then poofed back and Xeriko was just about to ask what that was about when he saw what I made for him. It was a titanium high tensile steel tachi with a plasteel sheath and nanocarbon nylon grip.It's great for corridors and well…you get the point. I etched his name in kanji on it…of course I had to create a kanji for his name and I’m not going to go through that process. It went down the line after being assembled and we snuck around the back walls of the factory hiding behind crates so we could nab the thing.

“WEAPON ACQUIRED: Titan Steel Tachi: Android Shredder!” I cheered while holding up a sign.

“...Really?” Xeriko muttered.

“Hey gotta have fun somehow.” I chuckled while tossing the sign away.

He then took a test swing with the weapon nodding after a moment.

“After this I’ll run you through some art forms at the base.” I commented.

“Very well, this’ll help at least.” He nodded.

After that he ran out and slashed at one of the back alley doctors working a laser etcher and the etcher went wide slicing another etcher in half.

“Good thing we weren’t on that trajectory…” I gulped.

“No kidding malware.” Xeriko agreed.

I rolled my eyes and poofed in some popcorn.

“On your left.” I noted.

Xeriko then swung the tachi to his left while cleaving a laser surgeon’s head off and kept running.

“Hey, on your right about 30 paces, got a plasma caster.” I pointed out and he drew his gun firing at the blender caster’s central battery and it fell over and the plasma caster stopped spooling.

“Definitely salvaging that when we get the chance.” I noted excitedly.

“Yeah yeah…” Xeriko groaned as we kept moving then something changed.

I saw a blue beam sweep over the ground waving back and forth and I knew instantly what that was.

“YES! A scanning array!!” I shouted in delight.

I pointed at it. “Gimme gimme gimme!”

“Are you a child or what?!” Xeriko shouted right back.

He then dove behind a box and started looking at the bot that was using it.

It was a sleek bot covered in antennae and held a small laser gun.

“Hmm…seems like a recon specialist.” I observed scribbling down the specs I could see. “Most likely if it sees us or the carnage it’ll raise the security and order other machines to converge on us, so definitely take out the Scandroid.”

“We really need to discuss your naming conventions.” Xeriko deadpanned.

“Don’t you look at me in that tone of voice.” I glared back “You try doing these, it's hard.”

“Whatever.” He commented rolling his eyes.

He then shot the scandroid center mass and then cleaved it in half before it shut down.

“We should hurry and get to the core before the AI gets suspicious of the lost scandroid.” I urged.

Xeriko nodded and ran towards the core of the manufactory and we saw a huge server room connected to a main terminal set on a dais. It looked like a throne room with the central pathway to the back of the room with a holographic woman looking at us. A sneer spread across her face as her regal attire fluttered in a nonexistent wind and her tiny crown was held up by her cyan hair.

“So…someone finally grew the chips to oppose my rule…” the Queen barked. She then took on a contemplative expression before grinning. “Well well well, what have we here…a fake AI here to stand before me?”

I gulped as it looked like she stared right through me.

I turned on the suit’s speakers “I’m no fake, I’m realer than you’ll ever be!”

The queen just laughed and waved her hands as a holographic shield rose around her terminal and she sat on her console throne.

“I’d love to see you try and stop me.”

I growled before switching off the speakers. “Xeriko, she blocked off any free floating access points, you’ll need to jack me in the hard way.”

“Understood.” He nodded before getting serious.

“Time to run a little antivirus.” I said before glaring at Bluey.