151 Speedrun 4

"Damn it, Index!" I grumbled irritably as I entered the seventh world. This time, the little book had a cheekier approach, it deposited me in the middle of a dense rainforest during what felt like monsoon season. The moment I arrived, I was soaked to the bone.

"Screw this," I muttered, my face twisting into a scowl as I waved my hand, sending a surge of mana toward the clouds. Upon contact, I triggered [Elemental Mastery], seizing hold of every water molecule. Then, utilizing [Overhaul], I dismantled the atomic structure, resulting in an explosive mix of hydrogen and oxygen that I lit aflame. The ensuing explosion set the overcast sky ablaze, turning it from gray to a clear midday blue. However, my mental processes halted when my eyes landed on two distinct celestial orbs.

"Finally!" I exclaimed in satisfaction, realizing that this wasn't Earth.

Shifting my attention away from the twin stars, I indulged my scientific curiosity, assessing my surroundings. The environment proved more alien than I initially noticed, showcasing flora and fauna that had taken a unique evolutionary path compared to Earth's.

Yet, as I extended my senses across the landscape, absorbing environmental data, a familiar structure caught my attention. Confusion momentarily halted my thoughts but was swiftly replaced by a wide grin. "You cunning little rascal, if this is what I think it is, I might actually kiss you," I muttered under my breath. Temporarily ignoring the exotic ecosystem, I teleported myself to the intriguing structure.

Upon laying eyes on it, recognition flooded in, and I couldn't suppress my laughter as I exclaimed, "Yes!"

For the first time since embarking on this "speedy" journey, I found myself on an alien planet, in a story with so much potential. It was a refreshing departure from the increasingly irritating sequence of quests set on Earth, all, till now, based on disaster movie scenarios.

Index seemed to have a thing for disaster movie setups, even the not-so-great ones. I half-expected to encounter tornadoes with sharks in this one, but thankfully this one was a lot more engaging.

Thinking back, I couldn't help but grumble. The recent worlds I've been to all followed a pretty basic pattern: jump in, solve a major issue, and move on. It was almost too easy, and I was starting to understand why higher-tier entities get less WP from lower-tier worlds.

[Quest: [Deeper Impact] Completed 12,000 WP (1/16) (750 WP) Received]

[Quest: [Your Spin my Core Right Round] Completed 24,000 WP (1/16) (1,500 WP) Received]

[Quest: [End of the Calendar] Completed 28,000 WP (1/16) (1,750 WP) Received]

[Quest: [Gulf, Gulf, Baby] Completed 20,000 WP (1/16) (1,250 WP) Received]

(A/N: Any guesses which words they were?)

But I also realized that trying to complete these quests as a lower-tier entity would be near impossible. I mean, seriously, how do you stop an "end of time" prophecy by the Mayans? Or fix a global ice age caused by the Gulf Stream disappearing, without any magic or superpowers?

Also, it was kind of funny to think about how movies portrayed these situations:

"The Earth's core has stopped spinning!"

"Ah, well... Let's nuke it!"

"An asteroid is hurtling toward Earth!"

"Here's an idea, let's nuke it!"

It felt like, in those movies, which translated to their respectable worlds, common sense took a back seat to the action. While I could understand the desperation behind it all, it was hard not to shake my head at the lack of logical thinking.

Still, in those four worlds, most of the issues I've resolved by either with some magic, [Annihilation], [Elemental Mastery], [Kinetic Energy Manipulation], or a combination of those abilities. And honestly, with my complete heat immunity, the most enjoyable quest out of the four was diving into the cozy molten layer of Earth's crust to restart the core's spin. It was quite the experience; however, I already knew it won't beat this one.

Turning my attention back to the colossal, intricately detailed metallic construct that loomed before me, a grin stretched across my face. Its surface radiated a blend of alien artistry and advanced technology, creating a mesmerizing effect. The circular frame held an air of enigmatic purpose, adorned with symbols that carried an aura of ancient wisdom. Elaborate grooves and patterns intertwined across its exterior, forming an intricate dance. Nine chevrons, emitting a faint, ethereal glow, were carefully etched onto the rim.

The inner section was equally captivating. A complex arrangement of 38 distinct illuminated symbols, reminiscent of Egyptian hieroglyphs, adorned the surface with meticulous precision, casting a gentle, calming blue light. The design's elegance and otherworldly essence left an indelible mark on my memory.

Drawing closer, an undeniable aura of ancient power beckoned me, like a magnetic pull urging me forward. A subtle hum resonated from the construct, its energy both tangible and elusive.

As my hand brushed against its surface, I activated [Technopathy]. However, to my astonishment, the intricate alien technology defied my understanding. It was so fundamentally different from anything I'd encountered before that making sense of it proved almost impossible.

"Three-quarters of this doesn't make any sense," I muttered with a smile, an excited glint in my eye as I attempted to decode the baffling sensations I was receiving through [Technopathy].

The craftsmanship displayed on the structure surpassed anything I'd witnessed before, a testament to the advanced civilization responsible for its creation. But its inner workings were infinitely more complex. Microscopic crystalline structures, akin to miniature computational units, intricately governed a multitude of processes. Millions of safety protocols, informational buffers, pathogen filters, and much more resided within. One could spend a lifetime delving into its mechanisms and only scratch the surface of its capabilities.

Before me, stood the magnum opus of the Ancients, a gateway to boundless distant realms—a breathtaking Stargate.

"Alright, let's get down to business," I muttered with a grin, shifting my focus to my wristwatch. With a series of quick inputs, I activated the newly enhanced scanning features.

Previously, the watch's integrated scanner could analyze materials, clothing, and other objects, then redistribute the data through the replication network for replication purposes. However, with the recent addition of a personalized computer, its capabilities had expanded exponentially.

Now, it could present a comprehensive breakdown of the scanned matter—revealing its complete atomic structure and construction details. In the case of recognized technology, it could even divulge intricate inner workings and programming. Meanwhile, when dealing with biological matter, it had the capability to present genetic sequences and offer estimates regarding biological processes.

Directing my watch's scanning capabilities at the structure, I observed as the holographic display above my wrist populated with a wealth of information and intricate details concerning its inner workings.

However, as the scanning processed, the scanner struggled to identify the material constituting the structure—understandable, given that Naquadah was not found on Earth's periodic table of elements.

It proceeded to conduct an in-depth analysis of the atomic structure, collating data and running simulations to determine which elements could theoretically form atomic bonds with it. Once the analysis was complete, a comprehensive overview of the data was presented before me on the screen.

The display indicated that Naquadah was hypothesized to be an undiscovered isotope of Technetium, with the sound reasoning being its close resemblance in Atomic Mass (98). Additional information highlighted its exceptional stability, superconductive properties, and its capacity to store immense quantities of energy while emitting a distinctive power signature.

Swiftly dismissing the scanner's isotope assumption, I entered the correct information into my material database, giving the unique substance its accurate name. With that task completed, I shifted my focus back to observing the intricate inner details of the Stargate.

The information I gathered through [Technopathy], however small it might have been, combined with the data from the scanner, and as well as my memory from the series, granted me a bit more than a basic understanding of the colossal machine before me.

I already knew that the Stargate was designed to create an Einstein-Rosen bridge, enabling interplanetary and intergalactic travel, and my [Technopathy] as well as my scanner confirmed this. However, the other details were still vague.

"Fun times are ahead," I chuckled to myself, anticipation coursing through me, as I delved deeper into comprehending the ancient structure's inner workings.

As I read through the data I quickly realized that the eighth chevron seemed to denote the target galaxy, while the first six chevrons appeared to identify specific points in space within that galaxy, aiding in triangulating a precise physical location. The seventh chevron, however, seemed to carry a symbol unique to the particular gate responsible for generating the wormhole. As for the ninth chevron, it appeared to be reserved for special destinations.

The potential of this technology to offer a form of transport for the future inhabitants of my dimension intrigued me. I also already envisioned incorporating changes that would simplify its usage, making it a more accessible and efficient teleportation method. However, those plans could wait for the future. For now, my focus rested on comprehending the Stargate's complete functionality.

Shifting my attention from the Stargate itself, I directed my observations toward its controller and power source—an internal battery concealed within the controller. The control panel was etched with symbols corresponding to those on the Stargate's ring. Pressing these symbols would supply power to the gate, initiating the automatic rotation of the inner ring. This rotation continued until the selected symbol aligned with a chevron, at which point the chevron engaged. I found it astonishing that the battery still functioned after potentially countless centuries.

The crux of the process lay in the selection of the correct sequence of symbols to open a functional wormhole. Given the presence of 38 symbols and the possibility of 7 changing symbols within this galaxy, the potential combinations numbered less than 2 trillion.

With a chuckle, I decided to put the Stargate to the test. My memory, with ten seasons of the TV show nested within it, easily recalled the address for Earth, and without a second thought, I dialed it in. As the familiar symbols engaged and the event horizon formed, a thought crossed my mind, "I wonder when did Index send me here," I mused, aloud walking up to its shimmering surface.

The Stargate, similarly to how the Star Trek transporters worked, dematerialized and rematerialized its passengers during travel, a process that would technically kill and create a clone out of anyone stepping through them. That was actually one of the things I was planning on changing as soon as I started creating my own gates.

So instead of stepping through, I chose a safer approach. I sent forth tendril mana through the event horizon, carefully monitoring its progress. Sensing its arrival on the other side, I got a feel for its spatial coordinates, then manipulated the fabric of space itself, warping it to my will. With a seamless transition, I found myself instantly transported to an underground military outpost within the United States.

Amidst the blaring alarms, caused by the unscheduled Stargate activation, and the sight of guns being trained on me, I paid little attention to the chaotic scene around me. Instead, my focus was drawn to a few familiar faces within the crowd.

"Oh it seems we're already way into the story," I mumbled to myself, ignoring the shouts to get on the floor. With a half-hearted wave and a deliberately exaggerated tone, I greeted the people around, "Well, hello there, fellow humans." I said, trying to keep in the chuckle, "Nice weather we have today, don't we?"

The tension in the air was thick as General Hammond's commanding voice demanded my identification through the speakers, "Identify yourself!"

With an exaggerated roll of my eyes, I responded, "Yeah, I, as a multiversal resident, apply my right to stay silent, General. You, nor your government, have an authority over me." I said with a smile, "Also, order your man to stand down before someone gets hurt."

"Now listen here you bust-" Before Jack O'Neill, the self-assured captain of SG-1, could respond, he fell face-first to the ground, unconscious.

"Jack!" Samantha, his second-in-command, shouted as she rushed to his side to check on him, confirming that aside from a broken nose caused by the fall, he was fine.

"I told you—" I began, but Teal'c's action swiftly interrupted me. The Goa'uld warrior with a chocolate-skinned complexion fired his energy lance at me.

Following his example, the rest of the amassed military force launched their assault. Time around me slowed to a crawl as I accelerated my perception of it. My hand rose, and I activated [Electromagnetic Spectrum Manipulation], deftly manipulating and catching the bolt of energy with my bare hand. As bullets approached, powered by [Elemental Mastery] and the prior skill, a protective barrier of superheated plasma formed around me, disintegrating anything within 5 meters of my vicinity.

"That was rude," I commented, my voice audibly cutting through the chaos as I gave Teal'c a pointed look. "I was talking."

Extending my [Mental Domain] to encompass the entire base I dramatically snapped my fingers, shutting down the minds of everyone present, excluding the two individuals standing to my right. The horror in the eyes of Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson was priceless as they watched everyone around them collapse simultaneously.

"Now that the trigger-happy individuals are out of the way," I said with a wicked grin, motioning with my hands to dematerialize their weapons, "Let's have a little chat."

Fifteen minutes later, Daniel and I had settled into the conference room, immersed in a lively discussion that spanned various intriguing topics. The conversation was briefly interrupted by Samantha, who had taken a moment to bring us coffee.

"Thanks, love" I expressed with a satisfied smile as the stoic Samantha placed a coffee cup before me, her gesture seemingly friendly. However, I was well aware of her intent—she had spiked the beverage with a sleep-inducing drug, expecting it to take effect on me.

After taking a sip, and enjoying its deep aroma and Samantha's eyes of anticipation, I redirected my attention back to Daniel, keen on resuming our engaging argument.

"As I was saying," I began, my tone eager, "when you step through that gateway, you essentially die."

Daniel shook his head resolutely. "No, that's not how it works! It's your atoms that are being rearranged—it's still you on the other side. It's like taking apart a puzzle and putting it back together."

I countered, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "But it's not just a puzzle, Daniel. We're discussing the very essence of our beings—our consciousness, our memories, our experiences, our souls. Can all of that truly be dismantled and reassembled without any lasting impact on who we are?"

Samantha groaned in exasperation. "You two could argue about this endlessly, couldn't you?"

Daniel and I exchanged knowing glances before nodding simultaneously. "Absolutely," I affirmed. "It's a matter of principle."

Samantha sighed, her patience wearing thin. "Let's refocus on the original topic," she urged, turning her attention to me, her eyes shining with a mix of anticipation and frustration as I sipped the coffee she had prepared. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

"Ah, right." Daniel chimed in, facepalming. "He did invade us…" he mumbled, realizing he had been engaged in a refreshing conversation with someone who could potentially be an enemy.

I let out a theatrical chuckle, my demeanor playful. "Oh, I go by many names and titles. Some call me the Quacker, the Arcane Sage, the Creator, and the Life Weaver. Others know me as The Merciless, World Buster, and Slayer of Gods. And there's one who occasionally calls me Daddy," I added with a wink directed at Samantha, who let out a frustrated groan. "But for simplicity's sake, you can call me Andy."

She eyed me warily, suspicion evident in her expression. Internally, she was baffled about the ineffectiveness of her drugging attempt. Unbeknownst to her, it was never going to work. "Alright, Andy, what do you want from us?" she inquired, her tone cautious as she exhaled deeply, trying to regain her composure.

"Honestly, not much," I replied with an indifferent shrug. "I've already acquired everything I wanted from here, and then some," I added, lifting her coffee cup with an air of amusement.

Confusion mingled with skepticism appeared on their faces.

"Seriously?" Daniel questioned, arching an eyebrow.

"Absolutely," I affirmed. "I've already downloaded all the information about gate worlds and their contents. You all have inadvertently made my task significantly easier. Much appreciated," I said with a sly grin, noting their wary postures.

"That's highly secure information! When did you manage to pull that off?" Samantha inquired, her eyes widening with surprise before narrowing suspiciously. "And why do you need that kind of information?"

"Well, where's the fun in being a villain if I lay out all my cards on the table?" I responded with a smirk, thoroughly enjoying their bewildered expressions.

"At least tell us what you did to the base!" Samantha demanded, slamming her hand on the table in frustration.

"Oh, nothing major, sweetheart," I replied dismissively, waving her off. "Just a touch of magic," I added, reaching into my sleeve. Their tension heightened as they watched me pull out a white dove seemingly out of thin air.

"Neat trick," Daniel remarked with an appreciative nod, assuming it was a simple sleight of hand.

"Don't toy with us," Samantha retorted, rolling her eyes dramatically. Unimpressed by my conjuring act, she pressed on, "What have you done? Why is everyone incapacitated?"

"Well, simply because they didn't heed my advice," I explained with a casual shrug. "And like I said, it's magic," I emphasized with a grin and wiggling my fingers theatrically, causing her frustration to grow. Just as she was about to resume her questioning, Daniel intervened.

"Hold on, Samantha," he interjected, raising a hand. "As Arthur C. Clarke once said, 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.' How else can you explain his sudden appearance within the base, even bypassing the closed iris and that energy shield?"

"There you go," I chimed in, nodding towards the more perceptive of the two. "He's partly right. You don't fully grasp how out of your depth you are, but he's wrong in assuming it was technology." A smile curved my lips. "Believe me, there are far more formidable dangers out there than the Goa'uld." I let a moment of solemnity settle before adopting a deep and ominous tone. "And among those threats, you find me."

I allowed the weight of my words to linger, observing as the room fell into a tense silence. Their expressions danced between surprise and apprehension. In a quick motion, I slapped my palm onto the table, releasing a hearty and resounding "Boo!"

The effect was instantaneous: Daniel tumbled out of his chair, Samantha recoiled instinctively, the dove startled and took off in a chaotic flutter, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"You should've seen your faces!" I exclaimed between chuckles.