Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1112: A.I. Cloud’s Power

While Shane focused on hunting down Alexander, Cloud refused to remain idle, consistently laboring. Whether it was night or day, it never ceased its duties for obvious strategic reasons. Currently, Cloud manifested as a simple metallic disc featuring a glowing crimson core. It adopted this physical form purely for user convenience, allowing anyone in need of assistance to interact with it readily. As a construct belonging to the Anima Civilization, Cloud functioned as a Support A.I., engineered specifically for boundless computation and flawless guidance.

Although Shane frequently addressed the entity as "Cloud," it was far from a singular presence. Numerous clones existed, deployed across various shelters under Shane’s command, each executing complex labor that few humans could replicate. At this moment, a specific clone traveled within a Warden Unit inside the Blood Talon Shelter, offering support to Reylin. With over eight hundred survivors residing there, the population required incessant oversight.

"Cloud, our food supplies are dwindling yet again. I suspect it’s due to the delayed shipment from Blue Haven. Tsk... Tundra should have managed this better," Reylin grumbled while reviewing the data. Her facility was originally built for only four hundred people. Given that the population had already doubled, their production capabilities simply failed to keep pace.

Cloud rotated slightly, its red light blinking rhythmically. [ Current reserves: 12,340 units. Projected consumption: 12,800 units within three days. Recommendation: increase rationing by 5% or request a shipment from the Eclipse Domain. ]

Reylin let out a weary breath. "Fine. I’ll tighten the rations. It is better than dealing with starvation later."

Cloud offered no verbal acknowledgment. It had already shifted its focus toward determining water filtration efficiency and generator output levels. In essence, Cloud orchestrated the distribution of food, managed water purification, and balanced the energy demand across the base’s power grid. It maintained logs of every individual’s labor hours and contributions.

Its presence proved vital for maintaining order among such a large populace. Furthermore, whenever Reylin issued orders, Cloud translated them into explicit, granular directives for the various team leads. When workplace disputes erupted, Cloud calculated the most effective resolution based strictly on productivity metrics rather than conventional morality. Within the Blood Talon Shelter, the value of Cloud remained truly irreplaceable.

Inevitably, the situation mirrored what took place aboard Avalon, the great Floating Fortress. Another clone operated within those halls, providing assistance to Zarion, the Legendary Elf. Avalon stood as an engineering masterpiece, kept aloft by intricate arcane engines and sophisticated mechanical stabilizers.

Perched high above the terrain, Zarion stood at the edge of the Avalon deck. "Cloud... I believe we are nearing our destination. What is the status of the engines?"

The crimson light on the metallic sphere shimmered before it answered. [ Spirit-Fuel ratio remains stable at 97%. Wind resistance has been recalibrated. Altitude is maintained at 1,200 meters. The probability of structural collapse: 0.02%. ]

Zarion chuckled lightly. "That level of stability is precisely what I require. Execllent work, Cloud. I truly hope we might share a bottle of wine together one day."

[ I shall endeavor to do so. ]

"Oh? Really? That is pleasant to hear. I look forward to you acquiring a physical form soon."

[ ... ]

Cloud remained silent. Its workload included the constant monitoring of engines to ensure the mana and spirit energy fuel ratios stayed constant. Beyond adjusting for wind resistance, Cloud balanced the ballast and tracked the fortress’s precise altitude. Whenever Zarion requested data, Cloud provided it instantly, ranging from resource intake logs to weapon maintenance cycles and projected defensive endurance.

Cloud also coordinated with the elf’s lieutenants, addressing concerns regarding mana crystal efficiency, weapon calibration, and shield generator output. Because of its constant diligence, Zarion found leading the shelter to be a simple affair.

Meanwhile, a third unit resided in the Blue Haven Shelter where Fiona and Tundra held nominal authority. When they were otherwise occupied, Cloud took the lead on operational matters. With Fiona absent, Tundra paced nervously. "Cloud... the artillery crew just finished their practice drill. They mentioned the Spirit Cannons crafted by the Elves are misfiring again. Can you repair them?"

Cloud responded immediately. [ Negative. Only Elves are capable of repairing their own arrays. However, based on historical diagnostics, the error likely stems from targeting crystals that are either damaged or misaligned. ]

"Ahhh... Should we simply replace the targeting crystals? I recall there is an extra supply from the elves, correct?"

[ Affirmative. ]

Tundra grinned, recalling the recent shipment from the Eclipse Domain. "Thanks, Cloud! You won’t decide to rebel against us, will you? I don't think I can function without your help."

[ ... ]

Without further delay, Tundra returned to his duties. The A.I. also monitored the rat colonies utilized by Fiona for scouting, cataloging their movements and relaying critical intel to the relevant parties. Furthermore, it tracked ice production, calculating the balance between defensive storage and daily consumption. Naturally, Cloud also supported the needs of the laborers, engineers, blacksmiths, and soldiers.

"How many bolts can we forge with our current iron stocks?"

"Cloud, how many hull plates can be completed with our remaining steel supply?"

"Cloud, I believe we are understaffed. What is the optimal division of labor between dockyard cranes, shipwright crews, and harbor defenses?"

"How much time until the timber shipment arrives?"

Cloud answered every single query, regardless of complexity, never expressing a hint of frustration.

***

Within Shane’s main stronghold, the Eclipse Domain, another clone dedicated its resources to the filtration tower. This tower resembled a steel titan, with pipes and furnaces roaring day and night. Every drop of crude oil entering the base passed through this facility, where it was refined into the vital fuels powering their convoys, armored cars, and generators. Diesel, gasoline, and kerosene all originated here, serving as a lifeblood for Shane’s legions.

A Warden unit kept the clone stationed here to monitor the endless flow of barrels arriving from Travis’s shelter. As intake valves hissed and pressure gauges trembled, the A.I. tracked every subtle fluctuation with absolute mechanical precision. This was a critical responsibility. Pressure levels, contamination risks, and output filtration speeds were calculated in real-time, with every variable documented in Shane’s internal database.

When engineers flagged anomalies—such as a sudden spike in sulfur content or water contamination in the crude—Cloud acted without hesitation. It cross-referenced thousands of records within a fraction of a second, identifying the root cause and issuing corrective protocols before any disaster manifested. Without Cloud, maintaining this filtration tower would have been impossible for the staff due to their collective lack of experience.

"Excellent work, Cloud," Bart remarked, witnessing the A.I.’s tireless dedication yet again. [ Thank you, Bart. Kenneth is currently searching for you in the vineyard. ]

"Eh? I’m hiding from him... do not disclose my location," Bart pleaded.

[ He is already aware of your presence here. ]

"Ah..." Bart stood stunned. He wanted to offer a retort but eventually shook his head, waving dismissively at Cloud. He realized how busy the A.I. was and decided against further distractions.

However, the bulk of Cloud’s processing power remained centered far from the Eclipse Domain within the New Genesis Shelter. This served as the heart of Shane’s industrial might, where factories thundered with the construction of Aegis Mechs, Valiant Mechs, Warden units, and an arsenal of weaponry. Arial, the hybrid human managing the facility, possessed his own cybernetic calculation abilities, yet even he relied heavily on Cloud.

While his tactical mind was sharp, Cloud’s database—derived from the ancient archives of the Anima Civilization—remained unmatched. Day after day, the core clone oversaw the manufacturing lines. It scanned production, corrected inefficiencies, and rerouted power during mechanical overloads. Armor plating alignment was verified to the smallest fraction, weapon performance checked against thousands of firing patterns, and assembly workflows optimized for peak output.

The efficiency of Cloud was staggering. Engineers hovered around the unit with constant inquiries. "Cloud, what is the ideal alloy ratio for the most durable exterior plating?"

[ Seventy-two percent steel, twenty-three percent titanium, five percent carbon composite. ]

Blacksmiths at the forges echoed similar sentiments. "Cloud, how many blades can we forge with our current reserves?"

[ One hundred and forty-six standard blades. If adjusted for larger dimensions, we can forge ninety-two. ]

"Oh... I suppose we are due for a vacation then. I heard the next shipment isn't until next month."

Management also leveraged the A.I. for logistics. "Cloud, when will the next fish shipment arrive?"

[ It has been delayed by 8 days. ]

Reports were generated without pause and delivered to Arial at the end of every cycle. Arial scrutinized them with his mechanical gaze and issued direct orders, which Cloud processed instantly, updating schedules and reallocating personnel. Cloud’s proficiency in managing shelters was so profound that other base managers often wondered how any larger settlement functioned without such a resource. To the survivors, it appeared as though Shane possessed a Survivor Talent affectionately dubbed the "A.I. Summoner." Whether deemed Legendary or Mythic, none questioned its necessity. While Shane and his commanders engaged on the front lines, Cloud kept the foundations of their society intact, never sleeping, never faltering, and always maintaining order. For the people, that assurance was more than sufficient. As night blanketed the New Genesis Shelter and the factory lights dimmed, Cloud remained. Alone in Shane’s chamber, its crimson light pulsed steadily, waiting in silent anticipation for its master’s return.