Xylophos calmly observes the galactic chamber of the Xinos before them, as all 100,000 council member representatives are tightly crammed within the modest chambers. All of the advanced machine’s facial monitors are currently glued to the display before them in disbelief, as they are forced to watch yet another setback, in what appears to be their now modified motive, of eliminating the Xyfokit from their deadly battle royal tournament.
Humming and aweing, Xylophos slowly begins clapping their 6th dimensional appendages together, producing a defining silence across the viewing room. A smirk, gradually begins to materialize along their monitor, as the complex machine has just managed to earn their continued existence, through a bet they recently made with all the members in attendance.
For the start of Round β, a vote was held amongst all 100,000 members. Its objective, was to modify one of the rules within their doctrine, which would formally allow the Xinos combatants to engage and control the ruling apex specie’s government, in order to improve their own survival odds during the battle royal rounds. The vote, was a staggering 99,999 in favor, to 1 against, which was firmly held by Xylophos. And, due to the stark weight against the former emperor, standing in clear opposition to the super majority, the intelligence had to stake something of equal value, to match their defiant behaviour.
Truthfully, Xylophos thought it was odd their council would brand them a heretic, and evoke such an archaic law, but when they had offered up their own conscious as collateral, all the members in attendance were more than willing to agree to the reckless Xinos gamble. Their bet, was if the Xyfokit, would survive Round β, and while the outcome initially seemed unfavourable to the former emperor, they were never in doubt over the tiny machines eventual victory.
“Th—This is impossible!” roared a tetrahedron, after observing F.O.X. ruthlessly crunch and sever the neck of the Xiavnit identified as C.R.O. “Indubitably!” matched an equally annoyed sphere. “That Xyforkit must hav—”
“Cheated?” uttered Xylophos in a heavy tone, stealing the words from the shapes in stark opposition over yet another upset they have just observed. “And to think you would all go to such lengths to interfere with our sacred games, even going so far as to propose an amendment to the rules adhered to since our very first cycle. You should all be ashamed to call yourselves Xinos.”
Xylophos paused, giving ample time for their message to sink in amongst the machines. It was a long withstanding fact, that none of the rules within their doctrine, have ever been amended since their initial creation. And yet, the entire chamber before them, had almost passed a modification with perfect agreeance. The change most certainly would have taken effect, had it not been for their own uncertain gamble, standing in clear opposition to the corrupt council before them.
The former emperor wondered, why did the machines amongst them, so desperately seek out a predetermined outcome? Was there something Xylophos didn’t know about the Xyfokit, that the council was so intent on eliminating? Wasn’t it part of their tradition, that only the strongest, should survive each round?
The machine continued pondering these thoughts, as time continued to flow uninterrupted, prompting the members to draw further scrutiny, against the Xyfokit’s actions.
“There! The machine’s certainly cheating! Its implementing advanced nanomachine technology, when the round limitations clearly state they need to follow the technological progressions path!” A dodecahedron happily pointed out to the whirls and chirps of Xinos noticing F.O.X.’s actions, easily agreeing with the shape’s observations and claims. “And?” rumbled Xylophos. “What exactly about their actions, is a clear violation, councillor?”
A smug gleam, grew across the dodecahedron’s top face, as it finally found the confidence, to lure the former emperor into exposing their incompetence. “Xylophos, clearly your memory stores are failing in your age, for you see, it clearly states in rule 2 that: “Advanced weapons systems will be limited, with restrictions loosened as new rounds begin. Warriors will be informed of which categories of weapons-based system technologies will become available to them in each round, but remain blind to the final systems unlock in the Ω round. Round α will be completed with basic, primitive weapons, but kept secret until the Battle Royal officially begins.”.”
The shape was oozing confidence that it had finally found a way to challenge the Xinos which had personally ruined its plans. Its favoured contender had just been eliminated by F.O.X., and it was looking for any opportunity to prove the former emperor’s words couldn’t be given credit.
“Oh please, councillor, I am failing to see exactly where this section creates a problem for the little Xyfokit.” Retorted Xylophos, while they calmly tapped the polygonal digits together, before adjusting the position in their seat to sit closer to the confident Xinos. “If I’m so old as you say, and failing in my comprehension, that it would surely be simple to prove such fact, no?”
“Why of course, Xylophos, if you would please observe the sentence stating “Warriors will be informed of which categories of weapons-based system technologies will become available to them in each round”, you will notice that at the beginning of round β, micromachine technology was unlocked. However, this technology hasn’t actually been implemented by the apex species themselves yet! Despite the round progressing to their modern technological era.”
The former emperor looked around the chambers, taking in the piercing gazes from the machines before him, before calmly resting his multidimensional hands against his facial monitor. Thankfully, Xylophos was not the only Xinos in attendance who could still understand basic written text. Nowhere in the passage, did it state a Xinos couldn’t use their own knowledge to further a technology available to them. This was currently already being done by many contenders, and it appeared the dodecahedron was unable to see this fact either. Thus, breathing a heavy sigh in several low frequency tones, Xylophos did their best to respond to the incompetent shapes claim of “cheating”.
“I see... Now, do tell, where exactly, does it state a Xinos is unable to use their own knowledge, to enhance a given era’s technology? Perhaps my monitors are failing as you say, but I am unable to locate the passage which states Xinos cannot use technology not actively implemented by the apex species.”
The dodecahedron paused, as it quickly reread the passage several times over. Its circuits pulsed in contemplation, as the shape finally realized it itself had made an error, and now looked like an idiot before the entire chambers. “But... But that’s still unfair!” They somehow managed to chirp out a response in defence of their poor computation. “And? What would you say about C.R.O.’s use of the banned substance Xyboulinum? Or the potent sedative 8-Xyno-3-Isopropyl-5-Sciclohexane? Neither of those compounds are actively used by the humans, despite their composition being technically possible during Round β’s restrictions, yet there was no issue with your favoured machines use of these technologies?”
Xylophos tones, caused the shape to shudder at the realization it had made a drastic miscalculation in the presence of their former emperor. It had been blinded by its own greed, and had just been exposed to the chambers to be an incompetent representative for their species. Not wanting to press the matter further, the former emperor nonchalantly waved their 10th dimensional limb, causing the dodecahedron to release the process they were currently stuck holding. “F.O.X., is simply utilizing their own knowledge as a Xinos, and adapting it to their current dilemma. This is a trait we should be praising the intelligence for, not punishing it.”
Sensing that the chambers was once again under their control, the machine then briefly glossed over the highlights from the recently finished β round, making sure to identify any interesting outliers.
P.L.T., still held the highest kill count amongst the Xinos, now having over 37 recorded kills according to their systems. The Ornithorhynchus anatinus was clearly a formidable predator on Earth, as clearly demonstrated by the warrior’s continued dominance in the rounds. Things would become more difficult for the Xinos though, once the acceptable battle region began to shrink, but that was a future problem for one of the most ruthless contenders, that Xylophos believed they would adapt to without issue.
S.H.R., had unfortunately been eliminated during the round, which brought a minor upset amongst the machines, but they did agree it was a fair kill, after observing O.R.C., clever use of its echolocation capabilities to stun and shatter its circuits. It was a well-known fact, that sound travels more efficiently through liquids and solids., so it no surprise when the Orcinus orca’s soundwaves were compressed into a potent long-range cannon. The aquatic battleground was quickly transitioning into a “cold war-like” environment, where each of the remaining warriors held powerful long-range weapons, and were all hesitant to advance closer to one another.
Across other some other areas of interest around the globe, E.L.E., had confidently moved up the kill rankings, after proving showcasing how a Xinos-enhanced sense of smell, could be use to predict each and every action of their prey and predators. Some footage highlights rolled across the Xinos screens, as they observed the lumbering gray giant, skillfully dodging cannon fire, while launching artillery volleys with perfect accuracy, after predicting exactly where an opponent would move, based on the smell received from processing Xytrolyte fluid consumption.
After reviewing the round’s footage, and failing to find any other particular points of interest, most of the machines in attendance teleported out of the chambers, to meet with some of their preferred contacts. Xylophos knew a new faction of them were undoubtable scheming something against them, which only made their circuits feel that much heavier. They didn’t remember it being this difficult being the Xinos emperor, so what exactly changed when they tenure rolled over into the new cycle? Had the machines always been like this?
Tapping their digits along their arm rest, Xylophos pulls up another screen across their monitor, focused on the human John Sherwood again. They had plenty of time to run an extensive analysis on the human, and yet, none of their results were returning any insightful information. Every attempt to “crunch the numbers”, still returned his characteristic 0.3% compatibility score. And, even when their own analysis was compared against the live data collected and transmitted by the now eliminated C.R.O., they still couldn’t find anything exceptional about the human, and its ability to enhance the capabilities of F.O.X.
Briefly touching the monitor filled with John’s face, before returning their fingers to their keyboard terminal, Xylophos continues digging deeper into the data on the mysterious human, as it slowly watches John’s vital signs begin returning to his deceased body. The Xyfokit, had made a brilliant tactical play during its battle with C.R.O., and it was all accomplished without a bond currently being active with the human. “Just what makes this human so special?” hummed Xylophos in an upbeat tone. It had been a long time since something had captivated their attention this much, and it was obvious to the intelligence now, why the Xyfokit, was equally obsessed with John as well.
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It had learned to make illogical choices, something... Incomprehensible to the advanced machines. And, despite how those choices were always viewed as wrong, they had seemingly led the Xyfokit to victory during each and encounter thus far. Was this skill? Or luck? Even Xylophos, with their expansive memory and battle experience, couldn’t answer this question. However, they did know one thing. John, appeared to be a very important human, in helping bring out the best qualities, within the Xinos.
...
...
...
Everything is dark, save for the tiny, unsettling felling of something small scurrying around inside your body. You can’t see its there, but you definitely feel its movements in between your veins. The feeling of tiny blades, sawing away at your muscle tissue and arteries fills your thoughts, as works straight out of science fiction, are hurriedly trying to cure an impossible condition.
*Badoom*
A powerful jolt, shakes John’s body, and he wonders why he was thinking about tiny machines chopping up bits and pieces of his organs. They were shaped like little submarines, and happily relocating bits and pieces of his tissues to different areas around his body, flowing within his blood, blissfully unaware of his external observance. It was a calming sight, but unnerving, yet not the strangest dream he has had.
*Badoom*
John gasps loudly, as refreshing, yet stale air, fills his lungs, which feel heavier and emptier than usual. His vision is still black, but he’s starting to hear sounds again, and begins recognizing complex textures and temperatures. It still feels like something is moving inside of him, but he’s probably still in a daze from the recent dream he was having... He hopes.
John attempts opening his eyes. The light, which had eagerly been waiting with anticipation for this pivotal moment, painfully enters his ocular organs, as his eyes try to remember that light has no reason to be this cruel when observed. He remembers crawling across the floor towards a syringe containing and antidote for whatever hellish toxin he was injected with, but, after wanting to prove to the cocky Xinos it was wrong about its assumptions on humans, instead stabbed the life-saving vial into F.O.X., which happened to be beside them. He remembers trying to say “Humans are illogical.” But can’t remember if he managed to before passing out.
Suddenly, he feels a cold and heavy metallic structure nuzzle into his face. He’s incredibly alarmed by the sensation, as his mind connects it to the feeling of a dog’s wet nose touching a part of your exposed skin. “John!” a voice calls out to him in a series of excited chirps and whirls, as his eyes continue trying to focus and process the confusing structure towering over him.
“John, say something, please! Anything!” bellows the strange robotic voice, as his eyes finally begin transforming the blurry images, into a crisp picture of a robotic fox’s head, leaning over his body. “Ughhhh.” He manages to grunt in pain. He’s having trouble speaking, and his entire body feels like it is still on fire, but a calmly tranquil fluid is slowly overtaking the agonizing feeling.
“John!” The beeps sound louder and happier than usual, as John feels another cold weight rubbing against his confused face. He attempts trying to grab the mysterious metal, and is surprised to notice its warmer to the touch than he was expecting.
“F...O...X...?” he manages to connect the letters to the word he’s trying to pronounce. “Yes!” came a chorus of celebratory chirps and whirls from the seemingly simple spoken words. “I... It worked! I... I knew it would work!”
John attempts sitting up, but his body still feels executional heavy. The burning pain is almost thankfully gone, but he’s still struggling to move his limbs. He feels a force helping push him from behind, and he’s finally able to hold his own weight again. Turning around, John is face to face with a giant robotic fox, which is currently happily wagging its tail, in celebration at his complex and impressive ability to look into its eyes.
Looking closer, he can see some specs of blue fluid leaking from what appears to be the creature’s eyes, as the giant being carefully pounces on him, knocking John to the hard concrete floor. “I’m... You’re actually alive!!! John... I’m... I’m sorry I—”
John struggles trying to comprehend the strange series of events, while he does his best to ignore the new pain he’s experiencing from the rough impact with the floor. He finds the phrase “You’re actually alive” concerning, and decides to investigate further. “Of course I’m alive?” he mumbles, not entirely sure himself about the prospects. I was fairly confident that he had died, as choosing to use the only available antidote on the Xinos, would have certainly sealed his fate of pending death, yet he’s somehow still processing reality.
Sensing his confusion, F.O.X. happily chirps “I... I saved you after eliminating C.R.O.” as their tail continued to energetically wag back and forth. “They injected you with a banned toxin in our empire, and, after you used the last only remaining antidote to save me, I managed to repair the damage to your body!”
Finally starting to make sense of his predicament, and, essentially already having categorized the Xinos technology as “space magic”, he accepts the Xyfokit’s words without issue, but does find the courage to ask them about how they saved him.
Unfortunately for John, he would have probably been better off not knowing that the friendly creature before him, had transformed some of its metal alloy, into an impressive army of nanomachines, which are currently still inside his body. It appeared his dreams about tiny submarines cutting his flesh were at least “somewhat” accurate, and after listening to F.O.X.’s explanation, had the daunting realization that he had somehow cheated death.
John’s body now required the nanomachines to continue functioning, at least for the foreseeable future. The damage to his organs was extensive from the toxin’s brutal effects, and even now, the tiny submarines were still hard at work repairing the damage across his vitals. It was a miracle he was even alive, considering he had been clinically dead for several minutes, yet with this Xinos incredible command over technology, F.O.X. had managed to reverse the mass of dead tissues caused from lack of oxygen. They had taken some liberties with sections of his brain, and tried to replicate them as best they could, but couldn’t guarantee a 100% replica. “Huh.” Mumbles the John in contemplation. “That kind of reminds me of the... Theseus paradox... I think? Something like that.”
“Theseus?” whoops the machine in confusion at John’s words. “Oh. Ummm, I’m 99.999% sure you’re still the same John as before. I did my best during my analysis, but the damage was still pretty bad...”
John looks at the robot and notices their ears had drooped slightly. “Hey, I’m alive, aren’t I? I’d says that’s a pretty good job itself F.O.X. don’t worry about the smaller details.” John tried he best to comfort the creature, and was pleased to see its tail started wagging again after his comments. “So... What happens next?”
F.O.X. happily explains to John that the current round has already ended. There will be 6 days of non-combat time, so they aren’t in any immediate danger, but they should still be careful. The Xyfokit also mentions, that in order for the nanomachines to continue working, they need to remain bonded with John. They can’t fully switch the robots to an autonomous mode, as that would be against the current round’s technology restrictions. They had already taken creative liberty with their adaptation of micromachine technology, and didn’t want to potentially risk violating the tournament’s rules, else their conscious would be deleted. Despite all of the information John was happily absorbing, he still didn’t know why the machine had decided to save him. So, he asked F.O.X. as plainly as he could.
“So... While I’m grateful to be alive... Why exactly, did you choose to save me, F.O.X.?” The words came out longer than he was expecting, as the machine tilted its head to the side in contemplation. “I... I wanted to apologise to you, for hurting your feelings earlier. I wasn’t clear about what could happen, an—” John lightly touches F.O.X.’s nose, startling and interrupting the machine during its ramble about how its felt bad during their first encounter, and subsequent elimination of G.O.R. “That’s alright F.O.X. I... I should apologise to you as well for my behaviour back then. I wasn’t exactly in the best mental state, and, after thinking over the things I said, I wasn’t exactly the nicest to you either.”
The lights along F.O.X.’s head flashed and blinked in agreeance at the human’s kind words. It was happy that John had accepted their apology, and equally thrilled they had even apologised to them as well! The machine felt like it briefly lost control of its tail appendage, as more and more lights continued blinking and chirping in response to the words its auditory sensors were hearing. F.O.X.’s network and circuits, were humming with delight, causing it to nuzzle the human in response. It felt like the most appropriate thing to do at the moment.
Eventually, after a comforting moment between the two, the machine decided now was an appropriate time, to open up more of its feelings to the human which had helped it survive thus far. Looking into John’s eyes, F.O.X. tried their best to carefully choose the words to describe the complex array of emotions they felt.
“I’ve... I’ve always been the weakest Xinos amongst the warriors of my species. I may have some impressive decision-making abilities, but I’ve always doubted my own capabilities. It’s always been a struggle for me to believe in myself, and, when I bonded with you, for the first time, I actually felt like I could trust my decisions. I don’t know how else to phrase it, to describe the confidence I felt, but when I was with you John, I felt like anything was possible, no matter how powerful my opponent was!”
F.O.X. anxiously looked into John’s eyes for any sign the human thought their words were silly. It had already been subconsciously scanning his biological readings to infer any signs of rejection, and was getting nervous after failing to hear a response from the human it just poured its central core’s feeling to. It imagined this was what feeling embarrassed was like, if a machine could feel such a thing, that is, but the intelligence was caught off guard, as John suddenly booped its snoot with his clumsy hands.
“Hey!” chirped F.O.X. in a sharp, short tone towards his actions. “What was that for!”
“Haha! You really are a silly machine F.O.X.”. The human’s words appeared hurtful to their complex network, and they were equally confused as to why they were laughing at them. The Xyfokit wanted to respond to John telling him as much, but were interrupted by him place his hand over their snout again. “Geez, I would be one heck of an asshole if I didn’t accept your feelings now, wouldn’t I? Thank you, F.O.X., I’m glad I was able to help you, despite being only a simple human.”
“Yes! I’m... I’m really glad to have met you too, John.” They happily hummed, seemingly understanding that the human accepted their feelings. “Likewise, F.O.X.” John responded in kind. “Now... What exactly do we do from here?”
John’s words were both obvious, and realistic, to bring both of them back to reality about their current situation. While the two had finally reconciled with one another, there was still a lot of uncertainty ahead for them. For the foreseeable future, John needed to stay bonded with F.O.X., meaning his participation in the battle royal was now “mandatory” for his continued survival, and the Xyfokit needed to figure out how they could continue fighting, while keeping John safe from the bond breaking penalties.
Looking out the hanger bay doors, the two noticed it was starting to get dark. A lot of time had apparently passed during their struggle, and, with the round having officially ended, John decided it would be best for F.O.X. to return with him to his apartment. He was fairly confident they could fit in through the window... Probably... And was also secretly hoping those suspicious “agents” would show up again so he could personally show them he wasn’t an “influenced” or whatever the heck they called him. Regardless, John calmly rested his hand against F.O.X.’s orange frame, to which the intelligence chirped with excitement.
Jumping onto F.O.X.’s back, the duo started making their way back towards the condos. F.O.X.’s map indicated it was about an hour’s journey away, which John was somehow able to comprehend, a byproduct of being bonded with the Xinos below him. There was a lot they would need to learn together, but both these beings, for however different they were, felt like they had finally learned something important, about each other.