Chapter 46: The Hum of Progress (1)
Author note:
Have any ideas or questions? Let me know down below in the comments section :).
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Current timeline:
Borderlands 1 (Year 1 - 2)
Borderlands TPS (Year 3) (Current)
Borderlands 2 (Year 4)
Tales from the Borderlands (Year 4)
Borderlands 3 (Year 13)
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Pov: Alexander Lucius Maximus
Date: Y3, M2
"Alrworth, how is your progress regarding... MKUltra?" I inquired, his robotic hands going through the numerous halls of processors.
"A gleaming Success Alexander or would it be more appropriate to call you liege?" He snickered, his assistants walking in and out their fleshly bodies now replaced with steel frames.
"Good, I'll need further progress. The Frontlines require more, you understand this yes?" I continued.
"Of course, whatever happens in your campaign is of little concern to me. I merely require your resources." He continued.
Altworth had proven his loyalty time and time again, even after the persistent offers from Dahl to come back. His works were credited, back to him. His Artificial transfer capabilities allowed for more than just consciousness to be transported into artificial robot constructs, it also allowed for memories to be transported.
To this effect, calling Altworth would be merely false. The man was more so the combined intelligence of numerous individuals, his processing power cable of manning the entire planet alone. Although that would prove to be wasteful.
What I needed was creativity and innovation. Not a mindless drone that ran basic operations. Having treated the man well, he rather found Pandora and my powers interesting studying it for his own devices which in turn increased my own arsenal beyond expectation.
Altworth's metallic faceplate gleamed as he turned, his expression—if one could call it that—locked in a permanent sneer. His voice held a touch of amusement, underlined with an eagerness for his latest experiments. "Alexander, you're too kind. This planet, your Imperium, it is… a laboratory, and I daresay, one with endless potential."
"Potential that must produce results," I replied smoothly. "Results that need to be seen on the battlefield, not just in your labs."
While his mind was indeed impeccable, I had yet to see results. Tangible results, time was of the essence. Even my own powers were being drained from each of these experiments, gone were the days were fixing my bike was in the highest regard.
I had no time to innovate myself, to create my own creations, part of me missed those days although such were mere sentiments. My life was limitless, time was all I had alongside power. The same could not be said for my empire.
Now I was stuck ensuring every little part of my empire was moving: Jeremiah was busy preparing and running logistics and Isaac was occupied with his infiltration of Promethia. Nothing could be left to luck, everything had to be controlled. Failure could not tinge onto my empire.
"Oh, the battlefield will be my next experiment." He grinned, or rather the light panels on his 'face' twisted into something resembling one. His assistants, half-human, half-machine constructs, shuffled around him, each bearing remnants of organic tissue now integrated with the cold steel of their augmented frames.
"Good," I nodded, my gaze trailing over the assembly line he supervised—a procession of automated units being outfitted with the very memories and skills of his chosen subjects. "The Frontlines demand more than just constructs, Alrworth. We need soldiers with instincts, with experience."
"Then I shall give you veterans," he said with a flourish. "My newer iterations won't merely mimic battle-hardened minds. With MKUltra, we can transfer full memories and reflexes, synthesized from the greatest warriors across systems. Imagine an entire unit imbued with the knowledge of generations of soldiers, Alexander."
"And what of its other abilities?"
"We'll have our spies soon my liege... Very soon Vladoff will crumble from within." He smiled.
His words were intriguing, a blend of promise and ambition. Alrworth was more than a scientist or engineer; he was a visionary driven by a curiosity bordering on fanaticism. Dahl had approached him many times, knowing the edge he could give them, but Pandora had given him something they never could—the freedom to test his inventions without restraint, and the resources to turn theories into armies.
I glanced at him. "And if Dahl were to outbid the Imperium?"
A short laugh escaped him, hollow and metallic. "My 'loyalty' is not up for sale, my liege. Dahl is stagnant, confined by ethics, regulations, and protocols. They had betrayed my trust and left me to rot on this planet. Yet in their betrayal, I was reborn. Here, my research finds purpose, liberation, and dare I say, an empire with a vision."
His assistants moved mechanically in the background, placing fresh memory cores into rows of waiting soldier constructs. Alrworth watched them as if they were an orchestra, his creation, and I could see he relished the role of conductor.
"This line of soldiers, they'll have a purpose," he added, almost absentmindedly as he observed their progress. "And in battle, they'll be able to adapt, learn, and retain data from every engagement. Soon, you'll have units that don't just win battles but evolve from them. They'll be as intelligent as they are deadly, and each victory will only improve them."
It was ambitious and bold, and the implications were staggering. "You're building an army that learns. One that can train itself."
"And Pandora itself will be its training ground," he confirmed a note of satisfaction in his tone. "With every engagement, they'll study our enemies' tactics, their weaknesses, and become… more."
This project was more than just another addition to the Imperium's arsenal. It was Alrworth's magnum opus. In his mind, Pandora was his lab, and every soldier his experiment. I'd ensure that he remembered that I was his God.
Stepping away I did my own study on the altered Fauna and Flora of Pandora. The Desserts had now flourished under my powers. Forests flooded the planet's crust like a tidal wave, my powers allowing the planet to flourish.
The thousands of corpses of Ironhold had been used for a purpose, not only had it protected the planet but it also allowed the Planet to be reborn like a Phoenix.
Pandora was no longer the desert dunes and wild west of the Universe, it was now a diamond in the rough. Eridium poured out and allowed the fauna to further mutate, and the ecosystems revived.
Having experimented with certain Fauna a tree was grown in a baron area near the wastes... The tree grew larger than any structure preceding and being seen from outer space. Nicknamed "Yggdrasil".
While none understood the reference I did and in a sense made me smile. "Yggdrasil" represented the universe, each branch a realm, by naming the tree the world, it meant the planet was the centre of this universe.... and I was its creator.
The Alpha and the Omega.
The great I am.
The Lord of Imperium.
How great was I?
Further analysis also showed that the tree radiated a weaker version of aether. Its unique properties allow for the mutated Fauan and Flora to grow stronger, with thicker muscle density, larger bone structure, and elemental powers.
It mimicked my own powers and this was both concerning but also invigorating. In a sense, the tree was my first child. How the tree survived without water was revealed when "Erdium", the unique substance that leaked into the crust from the vault was being drained into the tree.
It was nourishing itself, and with the sun of Pandora donning onto itself it continued to grow bigger and stronger.
The area was also guarded heavily and numerous soldiers growing near the tree found themselves gaining unique branding on their flesh, a large burnt-in emblem of the legion. it was important to know that soldiers afflicted with the emblem were also soldiers previously blessed by my powers, altered by our super soldier project.
Analysing afflicted men showcased, "Aether" veins which allowed for the aether to flow in and out of the soldiers. It allowed soldiers limited pyromancy, which made me hypothesize.
While my power allowed for the creation of their body to be mailable it was the tree that truly gifted these "unique" powers. Perhaps due to my blessing, men gaining these powers were recruited into specialised forces code-named "Avram".
They would undergo specialised training, I would not waste a single resource especially one so freely given. Soldiers altered were already furiously loyal due to propaganda and my own powers forcing them into submission.
"Freedom" and "Betrayal" were concepts long washed away meaning; those altered were merely strengthened soldiers fiercely loyal to the Imperium. All soldiers previously altered were sent towards the tree, and even Jeremiah who was under exposure to the tree's unique properties became stronger.
Gaining the emblem, his hardened skin manifested into something far more powerful, his powers now capable of extending outward similar to an aura of some kind. Similarly, he was now able to absorb energy and unleash it back meaning energy and plasma weaponry were ineffective.
My capabilities were also strengthened by my teleportation powers allowing for the mass teleportation of individuals. Its range was massive only limited to my familiarity and strength. I could easily teleport ten thousand men to Elpis, but teleporting a single man to Promethia was impossible - for now atleast.
Now teleporting to another Ficility, I found myself further underneath the planet's crust. The locations are hidden within a fortified bunker. Near the old vault, we were attempting to reverse engineer the subspace technology for our own uses.
Progress was a fine strum that required patience and methodical precision. With the cold, metallic hum of the facility waving across my "skin" I was finally greeted by the R&D department. A base of innovation and experimentation. In its centre, towering machines and spires of cable and conduit connected to the framework of what would soon be our Infinite Army.
The digistruct projectors whirred with potential, each holding the blueprint to countless designs, each capable of birthing a soldier instantly.
Felicity's holographic figure blinked to life beside me, her face imbued with quiet excitement. Her voice was steady and focused, but there was a glint of something almost… ambitious in her gaze. It was good, control ambition was what brought life and conquest.
"This," she began, gesturing to the projectors, "is where it all begins, Alexander. The blueprint and foundation for an army unlike any the galaxy has seen."
I studied the projection—solid lines, calculated shapes, mechanized limbs, and weapon systems, all waiting to be brought into reality. "What's our starting model?" I asked, eyes on the sleek designs cycling across the screen.
"Here," she said, bringing up a larger diagram. "The Loader Bots. Classic design, versatile and adaptable. But," she added with a gleam of innovation, "we're going further. We're implementing three primary variants initially, and I have a few ideas for specialized units."
I leaned in, arms folded, as she outlined the designs. They were initially based on Jack's initial combat designs for the loaders.
"First, the Loader Mk I," she began. "These are our frontline enforcers. Basic combat models—equipped with reinforced exoskeletons, each arm capable of housing plasma rifles, pulse grenades, or even kinetic shields. They're durable and efficient. Think of them as the infantry, ready to take a bullet and dish out ten more."
It was a basic model, but a deadly one nonetheless. In mass, these infantry models would allow for more lethal maneuvers. "Solid. And the next?"
She swiped across the screen, revealing a leaner, more agile frame. "The Recon Loader—stealth optimized, equipped with cloaking capabilities and advanced optics. These bots will act as scouts and trackers. Perfect for high-speed infiltration, recon missions, or support for heavier forces."
"And they're autonomous?" I asked, noticing the streamlined interface of its command module.
"Yes," she replied, nodding. "Fully autonomous with an added directive for independent tactical assessment. But," she paused, her voice uncertain, "there's more to come."
She tapped a few buttons, and an imposing, heavily armoured bot appeared on the projection, towering over the other models.
"This is the *Juggernaut Warbot*," she announced with pride. "Heavy artillery, close-quarters tank. It's made for the brutal force of warfare with full battle armour, carrying multiple integrated weapon systems—missile pods, flamethrowers, even a concussive pulse generator to create shockwaves within a twenty-meter radius."
"Formidable," I said, admiring the sheer destructive potential in its design. "But can we manage them all under one network? These units require rapid, coordinated commands."
Felicity's eyes gleamed, her confidence unshaken. "That's where my main directive comes in. I'll act as the central processor, distributing commands, and recalibrating their objectives on the fly. The Infinite Army isn't just a series of bots, Alexander. It's a collective, all drawing on my algorithms and directives. Every move, every strike, each decision—they're all connected, unified under my network."
The prospect was ambitious, bordering on insane. But that was the whole point.
"And we're not stopping here," she continued, anticipation threaded through her tone. "I have plans for additional units—each one designed with its own unique capabilities. Sniper units, demolition experts, and even covert ops bots with advanced hacking protocols. The diversity will make our army unpredictable."
She paused, studying me with a seriousness that caught me off guard. This is what we needed on the field. Alongside trained specialised units, regardless of terrain or enemy type my Empire would crush them all.
"But Alexander… this also makes them… dangerous. The more advanced they become, the harder it is to control them. It's not impossible they could develop independent decision-making, possibly even defiance."
The room grew quiet, the weight of her words settling over us. The Infinite Army was ambitious, but there was an undeniable risk. A risk I was willing to take for Felicity who unknowingly was already being controlled by my powers - a leash she required to live now.
My powers neared reality manipulation with the frequency of bending to my will. Should I do it, it will.
"We'll contain it," I replied finally, firm in my decision. "With the right safeguards in place, this risk is manageable. We trust each other. That's why I chose you to oversee it."
Felicity nodded, her expression softening, though her gaze never lost its sharpness. "Understood, Alexander... I will make it work, and I'll keep them… loyal." She looked at the digistruct projectors, determination and pride evident in her stance. "Then let's begin."