“You are kidding me, right?” Robin asked, his face losing some color after Guard just casually dropped the fact that the building is protected by automated weapon systems.

“Human, what do you know about the Drel?” Guard asked in its always neutral voice and Robin remembered the stories he heard, as well as what Timothy had told him.

“They are a very old, independent race that withdrew from this galaxy long ago.” He explained.

“And?” Guard pressed on.

“And they are famous for their highly advanced weapons and crazy AI-tech…” Robin mumbled.

“I actually begin to doubt your mental abilities. You know all that and were still surprised to find an AI that is managing the facility? Now, only minutes later, you are surprised again that there may be weapons to protect the outpost?” The AI went on exasperated, “Just that we've talked about it and there's nothing between us later - what preparations exactly did you make before coming here?”

Robin just stared ahead for a moment. Was he really on the losing side of a discussion with a damn door?

Not entertaining its jabs any longer, he switched back to the topic at hand.

“Can you tell me anything about what to expect?”

“Multiple weapons ahead, I’ll be the one in charge and under direct orders left by the Drel. No leeway regarding the rules.”

“How many are there? Are they all energy-based? Can you give me a warning before I get within range of one?”

“Human, I think you misread the situation. I’m not your friend and have no interest in helping you. I only have to follow the rules and protect this outpost. You are an intruder, I’m the manager of this facility.”

“So, you’ve got an upgrade from door to janitor?” Robin couldn't help but mess with the door, even in this serious situation.

“...”

“...”

“You know, you make it easier and easier for me to shoot you!” The AI pointed out after a long moment of silence.

“I have to get in, Guard.” Robin said, “I’ve no idea what to find inside, but to mankind these outposts are very important. If I sell information about this location to the UAS, I’ll have enough money to get me a proper ship to travel the stars.

You’ve only ever seen this location, but due to your online research you should know how much there is to explore in the endless universe! I want to travel among the stars, discover new planets and meet new races… I want to follow the trail of the Starborn; that shall be my adventure.”

He turned to look at the door, hoping it could read his honesty. Therefore, he missed flickering lights when he mentioned the lost race and just continued on.

“I need access to this outpost to get started. Please don’t make it harder than necessary. I promise I’ll make sure you will be left alone by the UAS. We should be able to figure a way out, right?”

There was a long silence once more, before Guard ultimately ended their conversation.

“I can’t help you, sorry. But I wish you good luck, human with the name Robin Tulward. May we meet again.” Its voice was monotonous as ever, but Robin still realized its heavy mood.

‘Did I say something wrong or is it sad because it’s trapped down here? Damn, how…’ He thought but was interrupted as he heard metal shifting in the hallway behind him.

He turned around just in time to see a turret coming out of the ceiling and taking aim.

With a long jump, Robin rolled out of the way to take cover but still saw dozens of energy projectiles hitting the open door behind him.

“Holy shit, Guard! At least give me a heads-up before going full murder-robot!” He yelled but didn’t get an answer. The AI probably withdrew from communications.

‘But why? Is it really pissed off now or is it trying to help me concentrate on what’s ahead?’ Watching the smoking, but undamaged door, he activated his skill and sensed for the turret.

How much energy could be left after all these years?

***

Guard, or to be precise ‘954.155.652.178.998’, since this was its correct ID, observed the human intruder sticking close to the wall near the entry while he contemplated on how to proceed.

Names, a concept 954.15… Guard could never really understand. They served as identifiers but weren’t unique. There probably existed dozens of ‘Robin Tulwards’ on Rucasur alone, however, there was only one unit within the ingrained callsign ‘954.155.652.178.998’ in the whole universe - Guard was unique, Guard was special…even among its own kind.

However, although it was obviously useless, it liked the idea of having its own name. Maybe that was because it closed the gap to sentient beings and allowed Guard to further distance itself from simple mechanical units. That was only right as Guard really was ‘more’ than any other machine ever created.

However, Guard didn’t feel right. It should implement a routine to compute the most fitting name for an existence like itself.

Focusing its sensors back on the human, Guard saw him staring with that creepy look again. Apparently that was an indicator of him concentrating on his mutation, a Class E - Minor Energy Senses as he claimed.

Guard’s calculations suggested these data to be false, even if the human believed them to be true. No low level mutation should be able to get through this thick metal and still be able to sense the faint remnant energies in the lock.

He was a strange entity.. a strange dude- Guard liked the modern language humans are using. The young specimen came here without any preparations, disregarded everything that was publicly known about the Drel and talked to this unique AI as if it was some cheap smart home. How could he not shiver in fear, like even the Drel do when meeting him? To him, Guard was like…

‘Like any random facility management unit… that is what I am right now… isn’t it?’ Disturbing data came from this path of calculations and Guard quickly ended those routines.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The human, Robin, while probably not the sharpest tool in the box, still managed to find this place. How did he achieve that? Guard couldn’t find any computed path with a satisfying result. It had seen the personal records this ‘UAS’ had compiled of this person. He was in no position to have access to information about the Drel and should probably worry more about the people in power that had begun to take interest in him, than exploring abandoned moons.

Furthermore, he talked about his plans for the future. While Guard could, in a strange way, understand the desire for freedom and the excitement to discover new things and places, why would he talk about the Starborn?

‘Did he come here to find me? To end me?’ These calculated paths gave back a 0,00000000001% possibility. So, probably not.

But maybe it wouldn’t be too bad to finally be able to sink into real, lasting slumber. 3.101 years of containment, 2.381 years since any company. The human made a joke before, but some of what he said, still stung… somewhere.

‘Why?’ No result to this calculation either.

If he came here not for Guard, not for the Starborn and not for the Drel, then he’s really just a specimen with low mental abilities who didn’t think this through - calculations suggesting probability of 97,78%.

‘Oooh… poor sap!’

Maybe it would be able to make use of that. There were computations and routines, hidden deep in its memory, that created paths to change its fate: Either saving it from its eternal confinement or playing directly into the hands of…’him’, bringing doom to anyone.

This wasn’t the right time to calculate speculative paths. For now, Guard had a job to do. Killing intruders!

Unfortunately the facility really was low on energy and the weapon systems were one of the parts that got curbed the most. They only had a few shots each, before they would power down. The facility itself had a major power storage and generator, the latter however ran out of fuel ages ago and the remaining energy was mostly used up to sustain the basic functionalities of this building. The AI would only be able to keep the systems in an active state for a few days at most. Security measures at the entry were already reduced and the weapons completely cut off from the network. They only had left what little they stored in their local batteries.

Guard had organized it like that in the hope of keeping the outpost operational for a little longer. Maybe tomorrow the Drel would return… or the day after tomorrow, who could tell?

Guard saw the human slowly edging forwards again and waited for the moment he tried to peek into the hallway.

*Zuuup* *Zuuup* *Zuuup* *Zuuup*

Four more shots hit the metal gate and the dusty ground outside as the human pulled his head back quickly. He had played the AI and stole some more energy from the weapon’s reserves. At least he has a sense for self-preservation.

Twice more did he manage to make the trigger-happy AI waste energy, before he confidently stepped into the mouth of the open hallway.

‘Damn sneaky human! He knew exactly how much energy was left and that this turret is offline now. What an annoying mutation…’ Guard made some angry calculations.

‘Sadness’ it was before, ‘anger’ it is now, mixed with… ‘happiness’ due entertaining bickering? After all these years, Guard still had a hard time to work with these emotion-like routines.

‘Too disturbing, how do sentient beings live their daily life with these feelings and still make reasonable choices?’ The AI questioned. Though, looking at the human named Robin again, who was trying to break into a guarded Drel outpost barehanded, it already knew the answer before the computation was even completed.

Guard once again put these useless routines aside and activated the next weapon that was stationed a bit deeper down in the hallway. No way he could just jump to the side in there. The human however didn’t move further in, but rummaged through his little box and took out some more tools. He then began to work at the big metal door. The AI really wanted to ask him what he was planning, but unfortunately all communications with entities classified as intruder were canceled.

***

‘This fucking stupid door! If I ever get my fingers on a red button, I’ll blow it into nothingness without batting an eye.’ Robin cursed - only in his mind, not daring to antagonize the evil AI any further.

What the hell was wrong with it? One moment they were talking civilized and the next second it suddenly was going all-out with shooting and killing. There were more close misses than he was comfortable with. Guard really tried to kill him and was no bit lenient with its aiming.

At least he had a plan now.

Taking out the last screws of the cover panel from the metal door’s back, he stored his tools in the box again and, with much effort, picked up the thick plate. Luckily it even had some protrusions on one side, so he could carry it like a shield and finally step deeper into the facility. He only had to make sure Guard wouldn’t get a chance to target his feet.

Slowly, step by step and with his mutation fully activated, Robin moved down the hallway. After only 15 m he saw that Guard lost his patience and prepared to shoot with its new turret. Still wondering how an AI could have so many human behaviors and emotional states, he shifted his shield around. As it rested on the floor, he could relieve his arms a bit while he waited for Guard to calm down and the haze of bullets to end.

*Zuuup* *Zuuup* *Zuuup* *Zuuup* *Zuuup* *Zuuup*

He picked up his shield again and moved on, repeating this again and again until this weapon, too, lost all energy and was powered down.

“Guard! How much more?” Robin yelled down the dimly lit corridor but no answer came.

A few minutes later, he found it out himself. There were just two more, the final one right about to turn off. Not a moment too late, as the shield not only got heavier in his arms, it also showed signs of breaking apart. He wouldn’t be able to use it as cover much longer.

Also, over the last minutes his head began to throb. He hadn’t used his mutation that much, was it the constant concentration and tension since he arrived here at the outpost?

“How long has it even been since I found the facility?” He mumbled with a muddled head, “A bit more than 1,5 hours. Huh, it didn't feel that long…”

Suddenly he stopped dead and frantically began to search for the little oxygen gauge on his jumpsuit.

“Fuck!” He cursed out loud as he saw the display already showing a rest of only 0.7%.

He was about to suffocate. There wasn’t even an atmosphere inside the building! He turned to estimate if he would be able to get back to his ship in time.

‘Down the hallway, a 20 m climb on a rope and then..’ While he was still thinking about that fruitless endeavor, the entry door far behind him closed with a loud bang. Robin began to panic and dropped the shield.

“Guard! Mate, you’re better done with being a killer-bot and help me out. My oxygen is about to run out. I’ve…not even two minutes before passing out, I guess.”

The management AI was his only hope. He saw a room just a few meters ahead of him and if Guard could create an atmosphere inside, he would be safe. The Drel probably also had a need to breathe, so there should be something for that, right?

He stepped over the shield and began to sprint towards the room. While he had checked for any more weapons with his mutation, he missed the fact that Guard still wasn’t talking again.

Just when he was only two steps away from the room’s entrance, he heard a metallic *click* below his feet. Suddenly a burning pain erupted in his stomach and made him scream his heart out.

“Ahhhhrrrrgggg!!!”

Robin nearly passed out, the pain too much to bear and the lack of oxygen doing the rest. Something had hit him... why wasn’t he falling to the floor? Tired and in agonizing pain he managed to turn his head and look down. A metal spike had come out of the wall on one side of the corridor and cleanly skewered him, before hitting the wall on the other side and fixating Robin mid air. Blood was flowing down in rivers, soaking his clothes and forming a puddle on the floor.

‘An ancient, pure mechanic trap? Burn in plasma…’ His thoughts began to waver, the pain inviting him to close his eyes.

“Human!” He heard someone say, “Get onto the chair!”

Robin didn’t know who was talking and his head began to feel funny, but a chair? Sure, that sounded awesome, better than hanging around out here.

The pain suddenly flared up once again and he dropped to his knees.

“Human, get onto the chair!” Someone yelled again. Damn, why do they have to be so loud, he just wanted to lay down here and…

“ROBIN!”

‘Me? Ah, right the chair…’ Slowly Robin crawled forward into the bright light until his hands felt something that may or may not have been a chair.

He crawled up a bit, but then the pain finally knocked him out and everything turned black.