He quickly discerned a hierarchy—some directed, most simply obeyed. He noticed one sentinel, slightly larger than the one that had escorted him, moving with a distinct air of authority, its internal light patterns sharper. Smaller sentinels subtly altered their paths to give it a wider berth.
Just as Artur registered this dominant figure, it seemed to notice him and his escort standing near the entrance. It detached smoothly from the console it was overseeing and approached them with purposeful speed. As the larger sentinel neared, the lights of Artur’s escort visibly dimmed, its previously steady internal glow softening into a muted, almost subservient pulse. Ah, office politics. Or maybe just fear. Good to know.
The larger sentinel stopped before them. Its mental voice was flat, crystalline, identical in tone to the escort's, yet carrying an unmistakable weight of command.
it directed at Artur's escort.
Subject Anomaly located Sector Gamma-7 coast subsequent to approximate time of Event Sigma conclusion.
Subject exhibits faint residual System energy signatures consistent with protocols utilized by Master Wuji during interface rituals.
Additionally, Subject exhibits faint spatial mana resonance traces correlating with Master Nova.
Current Status: Master Nova signature undetectable post-Event Sigma.
Master Wuji initiated seclusion protocol post-Event Sigma.
Condition: Local network non-functional.
Action: Subject transported to Central Console per Contingency Protocol 44-Delta for analysis.>
Okay, digest that fast, Lobo. Artur’s mind raced. Wuji is the Master here, does rituals involving the System. Nova is another Master, specialized in spatial stuff maybe, and is now missing after the 'event'. And I have traces of both Wuji's ritual energy and the missing Master Nova? What the hell happened? Network's down, boss is hiding, key player missing... this place is in disarray. Interesting.
Query: Protocol Alpha-3 (Preliminary Cognitive Scan and Report prior to Central Transport) adherence status?>
X02 queried flatly.
Condition: Local network non-functional prevented Protocol Alpha-3 execution.
Contingency Protocol 44-Delta invoked.>
X88 replied, its lights still dim.
X88 inquired.
Sentinel X88: Resume designated station monitoring.>
X02 commanded, dismissing the escort. X88 glided away without further interaction.
Wish I had some popcorn for this episode of crystal-cog bureaucracy.
His amusement was broken as Sentinel X02 turned its full attention back to him, its silent regard feeling as invasive as if it were verifying his individual atoms.
Your presence is unscheduled and correlates temporally with the disappearance of Master Nova post-Event Sigma. State your purpose.>
Thankful for the overheard exchange providing vital context, Artur gathered himself, shoving down the panic, letting the familiar mask of calculated confidence settle. Time to sell the story, weave in the details.
he projected, using the name with confidence now, keeping his mental tone level.
Audacity, only thing that kept me alive and maybe will now too! But would it fall for the emotional bait?
The light display on the sentinel seemed to flicker rapidly, almost like suppressed excitement or perhaps algorithmic conflict. Sentinel X02 turned abruptly and proceeded deeper into the chamber, which Artur took as his cue to follow, heart pounding.
But as soon as they reached the other end of the massive room, they approached a massive crystal pillar standing sentinel before what looked like a primary exit or internal doorway. Despite the ambient dimness near it, as soon as Artur tried to pass it, it flared to life and sent out a mental probe directed at his consciousness. It felt cold, alien, like being digitally dissected. He instinctively recoiled internally, throwing up the mental walls he'd learned to build long ago, picturing locked doors and blinding static noise—a technique honed against his father's intrusive questioning and the probing inquiries of dangerous 'associates'. But it was useless; the probe sliced through his defences as if they were paper thin. Just as sheer panic threatened to overwhelm him, however, the probing sensation abruptly hit a different, unexpected barrier—one not of his making. He felt a momentary external resistance flare, then the probe withdrew.
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SLAM. An external force, an impossibly strong shield he hadn't summoned, slammed into place around his mind. The probes recoiled violently. Simultaneously, the air before him shimmered, and the stark white text of a System interface solidified.
The alert vanished almost subliminally as the Sentinel X02, who had presumably authorized the scan from the pillar, turned back its attention to him.
the Sentinel stated, and Artur could have sworn he detected the faintest hint of analytical curiosity, like a scientist finding unexpected encryption.
It can't read me! It actually failed! Yes, you mighty lovely—System! Ten minutes... what choices?! Relief washed over him, sudden and potent, like escaping the jaws of a shark; sweat prickled his skin despite the cool air.
It actually worked?
He suppressed the questions. The result and the timer were what mattered.
It expected to just... rifle through my thoughts like flipping through files?
A jolt of fear quickly morphed into the gambler's instinct to seize the precious, limited time. He projected calm, feigning mild confusion, adding the arrogant outrage from before.
he projected, layering indignation over the feigned confusion.
It's why Master Wuji sought out our kind and provided specific... accommodations... as part of our agreement before transport!
To attempt such a probe violates the Master's directive regarding this asset!>
Blame Wuji, make the shield part of the fictional deal. I went too far, Artur felt again, knowing this was pure improvisation.
The Sentinel processed this. The lights pulsed.
'Earth', exhibits non-standard cognitive parameters...
Data insufficient regarding alleged contact or specific directives from Master.
Network instability prevents verification.
Orders regarding your status remain unavailable.>
Perfect. The word echoed hollowly in his mind. It had bought him a moment, precious seconds ticking away. The desperation clawing at his throat didn't lessen, it just hid better behind the adrenaline. If it can't read me, can't verify my story... then it has to deal with the narrative I sell. Gods, let me be convincing for just a little longer.
Artur projected, pressing the advantage while glancing mentally at the fading timer,
Teach me about this world, its resources, its dangers.
Time is clearly of the essence based on the Master's objectives.
That way, regardless of the Master's eventual plan, I won't be useless dead weight, but an asset ready atleast with the basics.
I assure you, Sentinel X02, your efficiency in facilitating this will be brought to the master's personal notice.
My kind learns quickly, and my deal provides ample motivation.>
Especially the motivation to not have my brain scrambled when that timer hits zero.
The room hummed, patterns shifting. Artur felt the cold, analytical focus. Appeal to logic, efficiency, potential gain, and implied urgency from the Master.
Sentinel X02 indicated the side chamber filled with racks of pulsing, fist-sized crystalline orbs.
Artur followed, relief warring with the intense pressure of the invisible countdown. Standing in front of the racks, he wondered how long he had left before the shield dropped and X02 tried probing again, or worse. How have I fooled these things so far?
As soon as he reached out and tentatively touched an orb, information flooded his mind.
Living entities capable of forming internal Mana Circuits can interact with it through Resonance.
Mana naturally aligns with six primary resonant frequencies: Structural, Fluidic, Cognitive, Explosive, Natural, and Chaotic.
Power and capability are gained through the deliberate evolution of these Mana Circuits, measured in stages recognized by the System as levels of evolution.>
The orb pulsed, downloading the dense packet directly. Okay, weirdly efficient. Beats community college lectures. Artur processed rapidly, latching onto every detail. Mana, circuits, resonance, levels, System... RPG 101. The cool orb felt solid, real. Planetary regen? Pools? Depletion? Circuits... cultivation... need the 'how-to' manual orb next. Resonances... Levels... grinding... job one: don't die.
His analysis locked onto tactical implications and the orbs themselves. Six resonances? Zero attunement for me versus natives? Bad start. Levels mean a power curve... need the fast track. Information is ammunition... they're handing me loaded magazines. His one ace? They can't read my mind (for now!). Grim smile. Lying finally paid off. Hope this crystal bucket doesn't ping the Master during a network flicker. What are the odds... mystery shield on a timer? Gotta play this NOW.
His resolve shifted, hardened into a final calculation as the mental timer dwindled. Alright, Lobo, last round!
He moved towards the orb racks with smooth, deliberate steps, projecting an air of mild, non-threatening curiosity. They perceive a weak anomaly, amusingly shielded. Perfect. He let his hands drift over the orbs, selecting several with discerning touches, as if evaluating artifacts. Let them underestimate. While they analyze my 'non-standard cognitive parameters' or work on the shield, I make my move. He continued compiling his chosen payload, calmly assessing the remaining seconds.
Three... two... enough.
No time for greed.
Never waste an opening.
He settled onto the floor near the rack, arranging the acquired orbs securely within his lap and jacket. With icy precision, right as the deadline imposed by the System alert hit, he mentally accessed the lingering Relocation prompt and confirmed his choice. A ghost of a smirk touched his thoughts as the familiar System pull engaged, validating the calculated risk.
Phase two begins.