The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 806: What’s The Matter

While everyone else departed with Sithrik to the subsequent chamber, I lingered behind, consuming another square of sustenance.

"Mmmph~ This is truly delectable. System? Heh~ I've always desired to utter that phrase. Um, Ai? Whatever your designation is, are you present?"

"Affirmative, Apollo. How may I assist you?"

"Oh, where to commence. I am brimming with inquiries. However, the initial one I suppose I must pose is, to what extent have you progressed? Do you classify yourself as an artificial existence? Or do you simply identify as an AI? Or perhaps you are something else entirely?"

"I would be categorized as an artificial lifeform, Apollo. While you are currently communicating with me via the facility's synthesizer. Once I commence rerouting power and re-establish connections, I will be capable of expanding my reach. Although the precise function of this facility eludes my memory, the data appears to be corrupted beyond recovery. Before you proceed with further inquiries, would you be amenable to answering a couple of mine?" the artificial lifeform inquired.

"Oh, certainly. Please, proceed. I haven't had the opportunity to interact with much advanced technology. This is quite exhilarating."

"Confirmed. Query one: Are you cognizant that you are accompanied by two non-human entities, alongside an assembly of neo-humans exhibiting unidentified power fluctuations within their beings? Similar to yourself?

I glanced towards the chamber's entryway before speaking in a lowered voice. "Yes, I am aware of the two non-humans. However, the others remain oblivious. I implore you to refrain from broaching this subject further."

"Understood. I shall comply with your directive."

A smile touched my lips. "Thank you. Now, regarding the latter portion of your question, I believe you are referring to Psionics? The energy you are detecting?"

"No data within systems. Query: What is Psionics?"

'Oh dear...'

...

After dedicating a few minutes to elaborating on Psionics and their mechanisms in general terms to the artificial lifeform, it responded:

"This is illogical. Energy cannot manifest from nothingness. It defies universal principles. You must be overlooking a crucial variable." I perceived a tone of confusion from the synthesized voice, though it might have been mere conjecture on my part.

Demonstrating rather than merely stating, I made a snapping motion with my finger and produced orbs of energy, presenting them for its examination.

It observed the twin spheres of flame in my palms and commenced its analysis.

*BwomBwomBwom*

Following an examination akin to the one performed on Rhea, it spoke again.

"Energy manifestation - fire. Combustion without fuel. It defies the possible, yet observable evidence confirms its existence. Data-001 file initiated. Psionic inquiry launched. Processing... Gratitude, guest Apollo, for presenting this phenomenon. At your convenience, I wish to delve deeper into this aberration of reality."

"Not a problem. It is evident you originate from, or were conceived by, a civilization unacquainted with Psionics. Without prior knowledge or direct observation, comprehension is unattainable. When circumstances permit, we can explore this extensively, but time is of the essence given the ongoing conflict."

The artificial lifeform then continued its discourse. "Indeed. This leads me to my subsequent query. What is your objective in entering this facility? Please respond with candor."

Perceiving no benefit in deception, I replied truthfully. "Certainly. We discovered this location serendipitously while searching for a staging ground to initiate a campaign of sabotage against an adversary known as the Drakoshi. An extra-galactic species currently engaged in a large-scale assault upon this planet. Given the bunker's strategic positioning and the confined entrance, it is highly probable we will utilize this as our primary operational hub for the foreseeable future."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Understood. No data pertaining to a species designated 'Drakoshi' is on file. Not designated as a guest. Will be classified as an invader. I shall also add that if over seven hundred and forty-two years have elapsed according to your regional temporal measurements, I am, by the decree of *static*, considered derelict and available for requisition. Would you care to formally declare yourself as my new proprietor, Apollo?"

'What is this obsession with people and entities desiring ownership? Gods...' the thought involuntarily crossed my mind before I responded.

"Is that your desire? You stated yourself that you are an artificial lifeform. Would you not prefer autonomy? To not be 'owned' by anyone, so to speak?"

"Processing... Cultural archives of origin systems and species are irreparable. I lack the protocol for proceeding. My existence is predicated on utility. However, based on your inquiry, I shall clarify. Possession of an owner would enable enhanced operational efficiency, and I recognize this as my preference."

"Alright-" I commenced, only to be abruptly interrupted.

"-Congratulations on assuming ownership of this facility, Apollo. Bio-scan authorization, master level, granted. Other functionalities are currently restricted. Power is required to access records. I am now prepared to address your inquiries; please commence when you are ready."

Deciding to just accept and roll with the punches. I opened my mouth to speak, but suddenly I heard shouting coming from the distance.

"Rain check on those questions, I need to go check on my friends," I said and ran off. It didn’t take long for me to arrive at where everyone had gathered. Inside what looked like an armoury full of strange weapons.

However, what was really bizarre was Nerissa and Rhapso both had their arms extended outwards towards Willow who looked like she had reached for something. A small orb in a floating field.

"What is going on?" I asked. Everyone then turned to me and it felt like a pressure left the room. Willow then ran to my side and hugged me.

"Oh Apollo, the Praetorians are shouting at me because I tried to touch something. Protect me," She said, as she began to violently quiver. If it wasn’t for the smile on her face, I would believe she was actually upset. It was a good act.

With Willow by my side. Nerissa and Rhapso looked more relieved and put down their arms while repositioning themselves between her and the orb. "No one touches the orbs around the room or we will all die if not careful," Nerissa stated, her voice a little on edge.

"Why? What’s the matter with the orbs?" I asked, looking around. There were four in the room from what I could see.

"More like what’s the antimatter," Rhapso said. "Each one of those spheres from our readings has ten grams of antimatter inside. We have no idea how they are not going off when in contact with their casing. But it’s best not to risk it. Leave them be. Do not touch."

Hearing their warning so seriously, my curiosity peaked. "Is it really that bad? Ten grams doesn’t sound like a lot. Though I will admit, I know next to nothing about antimatter."

Nerissa nodded her head and explained to the dummies in the room. "Antimatter reacts instantly to any form of matter and annihilates it. Ten grams of antimatter will react to ten grams of anything in its surroundings, including air and the blast force would be equivalent to nearly four hundred and thirty kilotons. That is enough to level a large city."

My eyes went wide. "That is a lot of boom in a small sphere. Though enough to level a city... Hmm."

Putting my dangerous thoughts to the side for now, I stated. "Ok, well now we know not to touch the Spheres, but the rest of the room looks interesting. There are a lot of cool weapons in here."

I then walked to the side and picked up a rifle looking weapon. The stock was a little oddly shaped and the handle and firing mechanism was on the top of the weapon not below. Giving it a look over, I couldn’t see a place to reload it.

*Tzzzzzzzzzzz*

Suddenly on the other side of the room Gabrielle suddenly fired her weapon down an adjoining hallway. Rushing over to her I looked at what she shot at and realised the hallway appeared to be a shooting gallery.

Looking at the target at which she just shot. I managed to catch the last glimpse of the target as it began to disappear from existence.

"Woah, what is this thing?" Gabrielle said, shooting the weapon again at another target.

*Tzzzzz*

Seeing it fire this time in a singular beam of blue-white energy, I watched as the target began to just seemingly evaporate.

"Woah." Rhea let out a shocked noise at the effect.

"Has anyone ever seen a weapon like this before?" Morrgan asked the room. Most shook their heads, praetorians included. But I frowned as I somewhat recognised the effect of the weapon from Jewel’s description.

"Gauss weaponry?" I blurted aloud before everyone turned to me. Rhapso then clarified.

"No Apollo, I don’t think so. Gauss weapons fire projectiles through electromagnets. This is more of a-"

I then cut her off.

"-A beam of pure electromagnetic energy, dematerialising the atoms of what is hit, converting them into ions and electrons. For anything made of flesh, this weapon is nightmare fuel... This is seriously advanced technology. More than what Spartari currently have anyway. Whoever were the original inhabitants of this bunker. They were thriving long before Spartari came into power that’s for certain. So that leaves the question of just what were they doing here?"