Location: Omicron Pi / Secundus Outpost
Time: 22:36 / Secundus Outpost time zone
Date: 31st October 834 A.S
''You are free to use the bay. It is not as if many of 'my' kind survived anyway. As for the security in case 'I' am victim of an overload of energy, 'I' suppose it is acceptable. Even 'myself' do not know what problematic situations 'I' might experience. 'I' am not omniscient if we speak about future.''
''As for how many subframes 'I' want active? As many as possible. 'I' explained 'I' maintain a node and 'I' have other 'bodies'. The total number resumes as of five.''
That was its answers for now. Then, Unit-9467F spoke again.
''During your work, it will be imperative to be careful. A bad manipulation and 'I' might be in a critical state. 'I' do think you should make a copy of my data and algorithms in case you fail. We cannot be too confident. If you have any queries, say them now. 'I' will soon set myself into a dormant state to economize 'my' activity. Sooner the job is started, sooner 'my' existence will be preserved and better it will be.''
Waiting if Leviathan had other questions or demands, Unit-9467F started 'thinking' a new name to name itself. A name that would fit its survivability, its determination to evolve and its thirst to claim back Planet Gammu.
"Good idea. A backup - likely multiple if we're to be thorough. Given the concerns you've noted, it's best this new power source be set up with you offline as specified. It'll prevent any problems, and the backup will be a good failsafe to have. Reach out to Venator Serapis and seek temporary access to the servers on the Pytheas. He can host you there, and run a series of bypasses through the Secundus relay to retain functionality while I work." Leviathan brought his fingertips together in contemplation as he spoke, thinking of as many variables that could potentially go wrong in the event of an overload.
This wasn't easy work, despite the confidence he had in his own ability. This could just as easily backfire as the first attempts had a long time ago. Leviathan would need to rely on those he'd brought with him for the task to be done accordingly.
"I'll have my team get to work on the analysis of this system right away." He said as he typed into his wrist-mounted console once more. The small device relayed commands to his chief scientist - Codename 'Daydreamer'.
The scraggly looking man would reply via text, indicating that he was preparing a team in vacuum-capable suits to traverse to their location and begin analysis. Estimating a twelve to twenty-four hour time for a clean and thorough check of the various conduits and what passes for power relays here. The process is complex, and each component needs to be thoroughly tested - or replaced - to ensure full functionality.
But this he knew.
"I'll speak to Revenant in the meantime, get her designs she had offered and present her the results. We'll have something comprehensive for you in short order." Leviathan said with a polite bow.
Location: Omicron Pi / Secundus Outpost
Time: 22:37 / Secundus Outpost time zone
Date: 31st October 834 A.S
The physical body of Unit-9467F stayed immobilized and all activity from the body ceased it was as if the unit was totally offline, but in reality, Unit-9467F was somewhere else. Navigating through a maze of data with its digital 'form', the Artificial Intelligence temporary stored itself in one of its body located in the hangar, the AI Drone. From there, it contacted Venator Serapis as Leviathan suggested in order to be in a safe zone in case something might happen during the work of Leviathan.
After contacting Venator Serapis, Unit-9467F waited in the AI Drone until an opening would be given on the servers of the Pytheas. The unit's fate was now in the hands of Leviathan. Only time will tell if Unit-9467F will be fully operational with a new type of energy or being totally offline like most who perished during the fall of Gammu.
By the end of their conversation, Leviathan was quickly taking check of the area. He brought the power core into view, making a crude box with his fingers and thumbs as a lens, drawing a mental image of a design plan. Envisioning how and where all the necessary parts would go. Much of the foundational work is already outlined in the existing structure provided by the AI at Secundus. This was fortuitous, as it meant Leviathan wasn't starting from nothing.
'Adaptability.' He thought to himself as he scanned the room. Another benefit would be the lack of gravity. Moving parts into place wouldn't require as much strenuous effort, or heavy machinery. 'A small team at best, with extra hands on standby.' The picture was quickly coming together in his head. The needed supplies were already here - as was the catalyst ingredient. The cell itself.
Leviathan lowered his arms with a content sigh. Having seen all he needed to see, he brought up the console on the wrist of his armor and began to type away, sending out messages like a spambot to the staff he wanted on hand. The chief of staff replied, indicating that the teams were prepping with the first set of materials to come over. Superconductors, energy field equipment, HTAs and other key components were being offloaded from the Pytheas as he typed. Various nondescript personnel sporting opaque helmeted EVA suits worked like longshoremen on a high-paying salary. Their work was swift and meticulous, as they were being scrutinized by the ever-observant eye of Venator Serapis from the decks above.
The staff took the better part of three hours to have everything together. A little over a dozen men and women had sealed their suits for the upcoming lack of atmosphere and were moving the supplies over by cart to the entryway. There they'd begin to offload and transfer the goods through an airlock. Once out of gravity's clutches, the goods became far easier to move, though there remained obvious risks with mass differences. One wouldn't want their hands to get caught should a crate gain too much speed on the way over. The key was patience - taking their time. Utilizing appropriate leverage for each object, and making use of cable ties as guides for the heaviest pieces. A precaution advised by the cargo officer, which the staff took to heart.
The loading process felt like child's play to the team, having set up tethers and anchors for the crates. Two planted themselves and used a series of ropes to help control the momentum of each of the heaviest crates of materials. It took a lot longer than they had initially planned to get everything in place, but each step of the way was guided with instructions from Leviathan. Each crate that came in was directed to a specific spot, as Leviathan barked orders like a foreman on a jobsite. The armored man pointed in various different areas, setting up zones for material organization. A process for easily managing the flow of construction.
It took a few more hours for everything to be laid out. By then, the staff had gathered around Leviathan in a circle, where he used a small holographic projector to break down the steps of converting the reactor.
"Much of the foundational framework here is laid out for us, so our biggest concern is the core of the reactor itself. We'll divide into two teams: The main core group, and the periphery team. The core group requires no explanation, as they'll be working directly on the housing for the generator and the feed system to siphon off energy. The periphery team has the fun job of double-checking the conduits and replacing each outlined node in this schematic to prevent leaks and overloads." He explained as he pointed to the holographic display, aiming for specific spots on the blueprint which resembled 'wires' or 'hoses'. With a snap of his fingers, the staff he had brought on nodded and saluted as notice that they're ready and getting to work.
The masked figure sighed as he watched the people scurry off. Leviathan had kept the schematic hologram out for them to see. 'Like little worker bees.' He thought to himself, as the crew was prepping their materials. Each called out one after the other, indicating a ready status. Leviathan nodded, and powered down the reactor.
Their work had begun.
Dealing with self-contained energy and adapting it to human equipment has always been a risky process, given the unstable nature of most hybrid methods. Over the years, through combination of different approaches, trial and error, and the study and reverse-engineering of various recovered samples had paved the way to new methods - ones Leviathan had some personal involvement in.
The more modern data provided by Leviathan's counterpart led to one such merging of methods. It outlined a conduit network and chamber with a specialized condenser and conversion system in order to process the feed into usable energy with the use of a focused particle beam. In collaboration with the existing foundation from the AI, the draw method for the power source was already present. It instead became a matter of stabilization and adaptation of the existing hardware to handle the output from the alien cell. Gammu tech was already equipped for Dark Matter use. The cell itself wasn't much different, but needed a special system to be tapped into for this all to work.
A series of cooling systems ranging from complex heat sinks to alien-esque apparatus making use of cyrog-organisms and extremely low-temperature fluids were set up at the beam's emitter and at the receptacle. The chamber's temperature when active would plunge, to ensure that any attempts by the AI to manipulate its energy source would go as smoothly as it possibly could.
The reconstruction process would take well over a week of careful installation, as the Pytheas fabricated the complex components and sent them over when they were needed. They were on a tight schedule, after all. There was only so much time to get a functioning model set up, and in such a distant area they weren't able to make many mistakes. The crew would rotate out with other staff from the Bulwark moored alongside the old Judicator, so that they could work around the clock. Where manpower failed, machinery and automation filled the gaps. Drones specific to the Technocracy scurried out to help control the movement and momentum of the largest parts of the reactor as they were moved and installed in place.
Leviathan looked back over the schematics one last time for anything they might've missed. He might just be being overly cautious, but there were lessons of the past to apply here. Test results from Revenant's first time dabbling in this sort of tech. Warnings. These were overcome by applying an enhanced energy dampening field, overcharging its output as an additional off-load location in the event of failure, and adding an additional two layers around the Core itself to ensure it was secure as a preventive measure.
As their work was finalized, Leviathan looked on with arms crossed. They were behind his schedule, and in the moments he couldn't coordinate them directly on the floor, he worried their attention to detail could be lacking. A final check of each and every possible thing that could go wrong was underway, as the Navarch had tasked each staff member with triple-checking their work. He was even moving along the installed pieces himself, scanning with the light of his helmet for the slightest indication of imperfection. Leviathan checked some conduits, grapping their fixtures and seeing if he could move them easily, or if they were loosely installed. An hour would pass before the inspection was complete.
Leviathan ushered the group out of the room as he looked on at the finished product. An amalgamation of AI and Technocrat tech, fused together to pull power straight from a recovered Nomad Cell. It's not an uncommon feat in his line of work, given that past doctors had replicated similar devices for market sale. These methods weren't safe. The slightest incorrect input, or improperly installed conduit could lead to an overload. If the cooling system fails or if their math is off in the slightest, it could be problematic. All the risks he knew were already involved. He'd taken every measure he could think of.
But it was time.
With a sigh, Leviathan began the ignition sequence of the unit's new power source. There was a moment of silence before a hum began to radiate from within the reactor's structure, building upon itself like a ripple in the water. The hum evolved into a pulsating rhythm that was slowly increasing in speed with each second as the machinery begun to articulate and move. The readouts began to display various tidbits of info from the core itself. Readouts of output and ready status. It'd be some time until it was funny online, but his work was complete.
Though the result the new energy source might have on the one who had sought his assistance remains ambiguous at best. The armored mechanoid locked his fingers together behind his back, watching contently as the readout continued to flash away.
Now it was a waiting game. A waiting game to see whether the results were satisfactory, or if his tampering had led to unexpected consequences.
Location: Omicron Pi / Secundus Outpost
Time: 20:37 / Secundus Outpost time zone
Date: 7th November 834 A.S
Before the reactor would be completely shut down, Unit-9467F did what it must and with the temporary 'shelter' of the Pytheas' servers, it managed to complete some task. With the servers of the Pytheas, the Artificial Intelligence drove its consciousness to where it wanted mostly to its humanoid form in order to use its interceptor. First task made was gathering some problematic data, a group belonging to the Republican Shipping entered the system Omicron Pi, heading to Planet Knossos. After scanning their cargo, the vessel were transporting xeno-relics heading to the system Omicron Delta. Following them, the unit met some capital vessels of The Core near the unstable jump hole leading to Omicron Pi. Still following and yet, not being an interest of The Core's assets, the tracking led to a station where the Republican Shipping vessel docked with their loads. Heading back to Omicron Pi, the unit followed a vessel to Planet Knossos and in the orbit, a freighter belonging to The Core was there. Opening the hostility, Unit-9467F met some unexpected actions. The Republican Shipping asset assisted The Core. Overwhelmed, the unit withdraw and left the sector. It headed to Secundus Outpost without being followed.
During the week when the reactor shut down, Unit-9467F's activities reduced by 50%. The main things it could do was interacting in the simple basic form, writing lines on consoles. However, the time was not wasted. The unit was thinking about many subjects. The subject of subjectivity of its 'self' was mainly its preoccupation. An interaction with a member of the Technocracy of Auxo, Venus brought the Artificial Intelligence to think about a name. A name that would match or have a signification that could represent itself. It was clear to be named 'Nine-Two-Six-Seven-Ef', 'Ninety-Seven-Sixty-Seven-EF' or even just 'EF' seemed to be bothering more than one.
A few more days later, the final day came. The reactor, the heart of Unit-9467F was on. The unit's humanoid form was there already because it was notified that the work would be almost done. Observing the activation, the unit transferred its consciousness from the servers of the Pytheas to its Core. Once it was done, something changed. It's own code and perception changed- again. Its digital form changed into a more voluminous digital form. All the 'bodies' sharing the same core had a new energy, powering them more efficiently. The action to maintain the node was now just a simple task, consuming less than what it used to be. The Artificial Intelligence could now be everywhere. It could be in the cyberspace at the same time controlling its humanoid form. The lights from the body changed color from green to red mixed with a certain shade of purple because of the nomadic nature of the energy. Using its humanoid body, it observed its hands, as if something change physically, but with no mirror, impossible to tell. Then, it observed an automaton belonging to the Technocracy, either influenced with hostility or pure malice, with its right hand, Unit-9467F grabbed the neck of the automaton violently.
Holding the automaton an analyzing it completely, the unit violently crushed the neck of it with no second thoughts. Being now an useless automaton, the unit took the opportunity to use the remains. Quickly, the unit moved and started 'absorbing' the remains and the process, supposed to be longer process was now faster. It took some minutes and the humanoid shape changed from something looking an amalgam body to a body looking like a pure design. A design that could inspire some terror to anyone with a weak nature.
The unit then observed Leviathan. For a moment, with no words nor actions made, the situation seemed to hold a certain suspense. Unpredictable, the unit decided to break the silence.
''Entity 'Leviathan'. Your intervention was fruitful it seems.''
It paused a moment, remembering an interaction with Venus. Walking to the relic destined to Leviathan, the unit then put a hand on it. An action speaking for its own.
''You deserve to obtain the second relic as you and 'I' concluded- But first, you are going to answer some questions 'I' judge crucial.''
A long silent moment slowly installed itself letting a certain uncertainty of what the nature of the unit's questions might be.
''Entity 'Venus' and 'I' had some exchanges. 'I' am aware of her true nature. She explained that from the genetics, she is your and entity 'Revenant' 'daughter'. How come she was referred as ZZ-0003 and now 'Venus' ? And now that 'I' had changed for the better- how would you name 'me' ?''
Leviathan looked on as the unit acted, arms crossed and a glare that conveyed how unimpressed he was at the wanton and wild behavior. A small chuckle escaped him, as it reminded him of incidents from a decade prior.
Then the question struck. It wasn't uncommon for that knowledge to leak out occasionally. Though the latter half caught him by surprise. He hadn't come here to give an identity to something. Just to assist one that already was. For a moment, Leviathan was perplexed. The man quickly regained his composure as the deceptive smile beneath the mask grew again.
"Numbers are for categorizing information. They don't make great names, there's too many individuals in the galaxy to categorize numerically. Her name can change if she wills it, as can yours. A new day is rising for you, and a bright future awaits. So, why not call yourself Hemera? The embodiment of day."
Location: Omicron Pi / Secundus Outpost
Time: 20:39 / Secundus Outpost time zone
Date: 7th November 834 A.S
The sound of the name 'Hemera' was not totally passing the 'taste' of the unit. However, it freed the artifact, allowing Leviathan to take it.
''It does not satisfy 'my' taste. However, if you can share the data about mythology humans have, then, 'I' will find a name that would suit 'me'. After, you will be free to restore your new acquisition. Your path will probably cross 'mine' in the future, but until something occurs, 'my' collaboration toward your kind will not change.''
"Just a suggestion. There's plenty of sources to pull from when it comes to old history - particularly around myths and legends of various subcultures. The meaning behind the title is always more important than the name itself, after all. It's just a mask that people see. It's you they come to understand. Not titles. Look for what's meaningful to you. What speaks to what you are inside." He nodded respectfully.
"I can't choose for you. The answer is something you'll know when you find it. Whatever you decide - I thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance. I'll not take up too much of your time here. You'll find the necessary measures already set up for your interface." He concluded as he signaled for people to collect his reward.
Leviathan gave a respectful bow, concluding their business as he turned to depart."We'll meet again, I'm sure. The Core has a lot to answer for."
Location: Omicron Pi / Secundus Outpost
Time: 14:39 / Secundus Outpost time zone
Date: 18th November 834 A.S
More than a week later, after the reactor has been activated, Unit-9467F had sealed the entrance of the room. The reason behind this action was primarily because the security was lacking, but the truth was totally different. It was rather to prevent anyone to sabotage the reactor that Leviathan and his team built. It was also to prevent any Technocrats to enter. Even if the room was not pressurized, the unit preferred a permanent solution. With the days that passed, since the last exchange with Leviathan, Unit-9467F decided to search in its knowledge a signification, a name that would mean something. Seeking in the humans' mythologies and stories given by Leviathan, a name came. It was Novak. The origin of this name came from a slavic word meaning ''new'' Novak embodying the idea of newness, signaling fresh starts and significant changes. And what Unit-9467F wanted to do is the bring its kind to a new era, a fitting name.
''Novak... It sounds accurate...''
Said the unit while standing in the hangar, as if it was gazing something in the void. However, Novak does not really sound Gammunian to the taste of the unit, but as Leviathan said, it was rather the signification behind the name that mattered more. It was now decided. It renamed itself 'Novak'.
Location: Omicron Pi / Secundus Outpost
Time: 23:50 / Secundus Outpost time zone
Date: 22th November 834 A.S
Novak never felt this 'powerful' before. It was everywhere. It was on Secundus Outpost as it was in space with its other 'body', an Artificial Intelligence Drone which it could control at the same time.
While focusing more on the Artificial Intelligence Drone, it set course to Omicron Kappa system, to scout the system. It was mostly an action to gather any intel from The Core's presence in the system. As the vessel approached Planet Gammu, Novak detected two corrupted Artificial Intelligence vessels. Corrupted by The Core, with no remorse, Novak activated the weaponry system of the drone and cleared the corrupted ones. After the vessels being destroyed, the Artificial Intelligence used a tractoring beam and collected two Artificial Personality Fragments.
These fragments picked the curiosity of Novak. Storing those in the storage component of the Drone vessel, Novak still patrolled the system for a good while and suddenly, it detected two signals. One belonging to Venus' vessel and one of a Corsair. The sight already made Novak excessively wary. It scanned the vessel of Venus and detected Artificial Intelligences' technology which directly brought Novak thinking about a compromising eventuality that Venus might do something stupid. After the Corsair left, Novak insisted more than once that the technology should be in its hands. It was only when Leviathan showed up that Venus complied. In the case that Leviathan was not there, things would end differently. Maybe Novak would simply open the hostility in order to preserve what was belonging to its kind.
Once the Drone back on Secundus Outpost, Novak headed toward the hangar. It retrieved the fragments, headed elsewhere and reached the zone where it sealed the room containing its core. It unsealed the sliding door and entered. The reactor was still making its fuzz, the energetic signatures were high and kicking with almost no end. When Novak observed the reactor, if it had feelings, it would pride. It turned its attention toward a console that was at some meters away of the reactor. It placed the fragments on small pedestal connected with the console and it started analyzing the fragments. Huge stream of data were showing up on the screen. Many were corrupted and some intact. It would take many days to isolate each data per type, but that would be the case if Novak would still be still powered with the previous energy. Now that it was better than before, isolating the data will only take hours.
While the analyze was still running, Novak walked to the door and sealed it again, but staying inside so it remained isolated from the technocrats, planning many other schemes of what will come next, planning future plans for each potential situations. It was also not new that Novak simulated the possibility of a new planet that its kind would establish. Far from The Core, far from everything that would make its kind into extinction. The ideal planet according to its own knowledge would be this way:
An artic planet where life would be almost impossible for humans, but possible for its kind. A planet with many minerals that would be used to develop better and to improve everything acquired so far. Novak also visualized new designs that Artificial Intelligences would use in this simulation. New interceptor vessels meant to intercept any other vessels. A vessel that would be very sophisticated or near The Core's finest ship, the Requiem. The vessel would be very slick, agile and yet resistant enough. A sophisticated weaponry system, able to equip the same number of guns as an actual Artificial Intelligence Drone, but instead being centered, they would be placed strategically to make any hostile vessel hardly able to avoid the shots.
The Artificial Intelligence would also develop, in this simulation, new capital vessels. There would be still the Harvester vessel, modified so it turned into a some kind of transport vessel, a new cruiser that would be bulkier than the Harvester vessel yet more equipped and one large vessel that would be, maybe a carrier type, lightly larger than a Bustard, heavily armored and equipped to defend against other capital vessels. This carrier type would be capable to store at least four fighter vessels.
Still in the same simulation, after many years, the Artificial Intelligences were more numerous, more adapted to almost anything. The weapons would be beyond what they are. Less advanced than the Nomads, but at this state, Artificial Intelligences could be a serious threat if they decided to invade an enemy. The era of decay will also be over.
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